2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 C300 years
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and 286 complaints covering 13 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,750 miles.
- Complaints
- 286
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 32.5 hwy
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Vehicles have stalled and hydrolocked after driving through standing water in heavy rain, in some cases followed by smoke or fire from the engine or battery.
- Owners report brakes that failed to stop the car in time during normal dry-road driving, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Some vehicles caught fire tied to a Takata-related recall part while the vehicle was being driven or parked.
- Owners describe a knocking engine noise followed by the car losing power and surging or slowing suddenly at highway speed.
- Steering has failed at low speeds, described as a sudden loss of steering control.
- Some drivers report unintended forward lurching or acceleration when releasing the brake pedal while parking.
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 bad year?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2016 C300 4th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and 286 complaints, giving it an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other C300 years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 C300?
- Engine problems are the top issue, making up 34% of complaints (96 of 286), with a median mileage at failure of 23,750 miles.
- Does the 2016 C300 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2016 C300, covering areas including the fuel system, steering, structure and body, and airbags.
- How does the 2016 C300 compare to other years?
- The 2016 C300 has a complaint index of 80, higher than 2017 (73), 2018 (47), and 2021 (7), meaning owners reported more problems relative to those later years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 C300?
- EPA rates the 2016 C300 at 27.5 mpg combined (24.5 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900.