2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 316 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 12 per year. That is more complaints per year than most C-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
316
12
0
11
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (99 of 316), then Fuel and propulsion system (58) and Electrical system (37). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.
The 2015 C-Class has 449 complaints, 20 per year, and the 2017 has 253 complaints, 17 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (316 total)
Show 13 more Show less
7
5
8
0
Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"Vehicle has prematurely rusted subframe. It is a know manufacturer defect, for which the manufacturer is covering repair cost for owners of the preceding model, but refuses to acknowledge responsibility on this model.…"
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"NHTSA Safety Complaint – 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Vehicle: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Mileage: 74,662 miles What Happened I’m filing this complaint because my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 suffered a sudden, complete engine…"
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"Sudden fracture of the propeller shaft universal joint at freeway speeds causing catastrophic damage to the transmission and exhaust system. This matches the failure described in NHTSA Recall 26V216. While driving on…"
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"I’ve been driving my car since September when it was purchased I just got it from dealership 4/9/26 spent over $1100 and have been working like regular full time schedule, I wake up today 4/27/26 trying to work and car…"
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"Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to binding issue and plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. Risk of dangerous injury including glass shattering,…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4 DR 4WD | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4 DR RWD | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class PHEV 4 DR 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class PHEV 4 DR FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
For 2016 C300 sedans, NHTSA lists campaign 18V-850: a locknut in the steering rack may break under load, so the car cannot be steered properly; dealers replace the steering rack. Campaign 21V-197 covers certain 2015-2020 C300 vehicles (with GLA, CLA, GLC, and other models): adhesive bonding of a front panel may deteriorate so the panel can detach; dealers reinstall the panel with approved primer and adhesive. Campaign 17V-627 also names C300 4Matic and related C-Class trims for driver-air-bag grounding. Unit counts on multi-model campaigns are shared across nameplates.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 316 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 12 per year. That is more complaints per year than most C-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (99 of 316), then Fuel and propulsion system (58) and Electrical system (37). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2015 C-Class has 449 complaints, 20 per year, and the 2017 has 253 complaints, 17 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.
Has the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Owners have filed 316 complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with NHTSA.
What engine oil does a Mercedes-Benz C-Class use?
5W-40 full synthetic (MB-approved; common US C250/C350 fills)
What does NHTSA recall 17V-627 cover on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
NHTSA campaign 17V-627 covers certain 2012-2014 C250, C350, and C300 4Matic sedans (with many other Mercedes models): insufficient grounding of steering components can allow the driver air bag to deploy inadvertently.
What generation is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
W204 (2012-2014).