2016 Mercedes-Benz C350e problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (1) · Power Train (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (5)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-12-15 · campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
Defect: 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 wi
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.
Fix: 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.
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Electrical System:starter Assembly 2017-02-23 · campaign 17V114000 · 307,629 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter ma
Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.
Service bulletins (138)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-08-29 · LI 27.10-P-080851 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. may be most noticeable when transitioning from a coasting condition to accelerator pedal application. may occur in all drive modes. cause dual‑clutch tran
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Structure:body 2026-08-24 · LI72.20-P-075746 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint tailgate opens unintentionally. cause accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. example: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. remedy as of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a res
Electrical System 2026-08-12 · LI54.65-P-080132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint 1. general diagnostic tips 2. one or more park sensor activations 3. red ring around vehicle 4. "active parking and parking assist inoperative" on instrument cluster 5. cameras 6. other park topics. cause various root causes remedy see attached diagnostic guide.
Showing the 6 most recent of 138 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-05-27 · Unknown Or Other“i was driving on the local freeway and the strip of glass between the windshield and the sunroof flew off and landed on the pavement behind me. thankfully the car behind me was far enough away that it didn't hit it--but it could have if it had been. if that had happened i shudder to think what the result would have been. the risk is to those behind…”
2022-07-12 · Power Train“this is a plug-in hybrid car and twice in the last two weeks, the car while in motion on the road, has randomly turned off the engine and lost power. the gas pedal is unresponsive and all the alarms on screen flash and i have to coast to a stop. most recently it was on a busy road and i barely missed being rear-ended. this is an unsafe situation an…”
2022-07-11 · Unknown Or Other“this is a known problem with the mercedes cars from 2015 through 2018. the service advisor said this is a know issue with this year, i asked can you do it for free because it is a merc issue. he said he cannot do it. the cost for this repair is $2500 in mercedes show room. these should be recalled and repair it for free for the customers. …”
2018-11-03 · Visibility/Wiper · 27,000 mi“panoramic sunroof shattered while driving normally in highway, shards of glass from the sunroof also damaged/chipped rear part of the car. cause unknown. vehicle was not involved in collision.…”
2017-08-01 · Unknown Or Other · 3,500 mi“back panel of panorama sun roof cracked and shattered while pulling into our driveway. body shop indicated railings holding the tempered glass in place shifted for some reason. mercedes refuses to repair even though the car is only seven months old. defect is a safety hazard. fortunately, incident happened in our driveway.…”
2017-02-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System“tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz c350e. the contact stated that the vehicle's average mpg ranged between 25 to 34 mph. in addition, the vehicle had to be recharged every 11 miles to keep the electric charge going associated with the mpg. the manufacturer indicated 51 mpg on the sticker and in the owner's manual. the contact was waiting for…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.