2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 80, 286 complaints, and 13 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,750 miles, making this year rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 C300 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 286
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine96 (34%)
- Fuel System66 (23%)
- Other65 (23%)
- Electrical System35 (12%)
- Structure & Body29 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (6%)
- Steering13 (5%)
- Brakes9 (3%)
- Airbags6 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have stalled or hydrolocked after driving through standing water in heavy rain, sometimes leaving the car stranded.
- Some owners reported fires starting from the battery or engine area, in one case after water intrusion during a flood.
- Electrical system failures were linked to stalling in wet conditions, with smoke or fire following repeated restart attempts.
- Owners described a Takata airbag recall part that was on backorder for months, with one vehicle catching fire before repair.
- Engine knocking sounds and sudden power loss were reported at highway speed, with the accelerator failing to respond.
- Steering failed at low speed in at least one case, causing a complete loss of control.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
- NHTSA 21V961000Dec 13, 2021Fuel System139 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.
- NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 a good year to buy?
- No. It ranks 4th worst among 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 C300?
- Engine issues make up 34% of complaints (96 of 286), with a median mileage at failure of 23,750 miles, followed by fuel system issues at 23%.
- Does the 2016 C300 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2016 C300, covering areas including the fuel system, steering, structure and body, and airbags.
- Which C300 model years are safer to buy than 2016?
- The 2021 and 2024 model years rate Best with complaint indexes of 7 and 13, and the 2020 model year rates Good with a complaint index of 47, all much lower than the 2016 index of 80.