Home · 2016 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev · Complaints

What 317 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (317)Crash / fire / injury (16)Engine (99)Fuel system (67)Electrical system (37)Body & structure (32)Visibility & wipers (23)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Steering (17)Brakes (9)Wheels (9)Airbags (7)

Newest first · 317 complaints · page 4 of 13

Apr 8, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

I need Positive Crankcase ventilation valve replace It's a common repair that comes up with these makes/models

NHTSA ODI 11581717

Apr 5, 2024

I was taking my son to work and I heard my sunroof open and close when the controls were not being touched . I’m afraid if it opens and it closes on its own that it could fly off my car and hit someone else’s car and possibly injure some one .

NHTSA ODI 11581394

Apr 4, 2024Body & structure

Front Stationary Sunroof Panel (between the windshield and the sunroof) deteriorating and cracking in the middle. I've read about a recall on previous year models that will extend to this year model or even further year but waiting on this recall to reach my vin number. I've seen same model year in other states have this issue resolved with the recall update in Feb 2024. This is related to the NHTSA Recall ID: 23V854.

NHTSA ODI 11581170

Apr 3, 2024Lights

I received a warning that my left front headlight was not working. I took the car to my dealer to have the light replaced. I was told that because this is an LCG assembly the entire assembly unit needed to be replaced and the cost would be $3,500.

NHTSA ODI 11580896

Apr 2, 2024Fuel system

There is a fuel leak in the engine area and as well.as.undermeath the vehicle and Mercedes only covers a extended warranty which is not fully fixing the issues gas is a dangerous thing and I would.wjy haven't there been a recall on this know.issue with these w205 Mercedes

NHTSA ODI 11580592

Mar 30, 2024Engine

Pcv valve has gone bad, and it seems like everyone i ask that is mercedes technician they all say these parts are terribly made and always break.

NHTSA ODI 11580232

Mar 25, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve is crucial for regulating the flow of gases in the engine's crankcase. If the PCV valve malfunctions or becomes clogged in a car like the 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4-matic, several problems can arise: 1. **Increased Pressure:** A malfunctioning PCV valve can cause pressure to build up in the crankcase. This increased pressure can lead to oil leaks, gasket failures, or even engine seals blowing out. 2. **Poor Engine Performance:** When the PCV valve fails, it can disrupt the air-fuel mixture in the engine, leading to rough idling, stalling, or decreased fuel efficiency. This can result in a loss of power and overall poor engine performance. 3. **Contamination:** A faulty PCV valve may not properly route harmful gases, like unburned fuel and moisture, out of the crankcase. This can lead to contamination of the engine oil, reducing its effectiveness in lubricating engine components and potentially causing premature wear and damage. 4. **Increased Emissions:** A malfunctioning PCV valve can result in increased emissions from the vehicle, as it may not properly recirculate harmful gases back into the combustion chamber for burning. Overall, a nonfunctional PCV valve can negatively impact both the car's performance and the environment, potentially leading to costly repairs and increased pollution. Additionally, prolonged exposure to increased emissions from the vehicle can be harmful to both the environment and the health of individuals. Therefore, it's essential to regularly inspect and maintain the PCV valve to ensure proper functioning of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11579368

Mar 25, 2024

PCV Valve Malfunction, common in my model year.

NHTSA ODI 11579421

Mar 20, 2024Engine

My Mercedes has a P052E check engine light code for its PCV value performance. I do see that many other drivers are having this issue and that repairs are around $2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11578594

Mar 18, 2024Fuel system

There is a gas smell pervasive in the driving compartment of the car. My mechanic identified a recall campaign for almost every other 2016 C 300 class vehicle. For some reason, my “platform quote number is not listed, but the problem is exactly the same as described in campaign description number. 21P2197456 released on December 17, 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11578066

Mar 6, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300W. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the power steering warning light illuminated and the power steering seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11575774

Mar 3, 2024Steering

Electronic power steering failed. The electronic power steering on this vehicle has failed several times, making it almost impossible to steer. When this occurs, steering requires a tremendous amount of force and puts the vehicle and driver at enormous risk of an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11575166

Feb 27, 2024Engine

Check engine light P052E crankcase vent valve thousands of same model have this problem should be recall

NHTSA ODI 11574182

Feb 25, 2024Engine

I recently received a CEL code P052e positive crankcase ventilation valve. Common problem seen in multiple forums.

NHTSA ODI 11573882

Feb 23, 2024

PCV valve

NHTSA ODI 11573726

Feb 22, 2024Engine

M274 check engine light P052E71 Crankcase ventilation valve Topic: # LI 01.20-P-076794 crankcase ventilation cylinder head cover WIS-references document # AR01.20-P-9692MRU remove/install oil separator on crankcase.

NHTSA ODI 11573297

Feb 21, 2024Steering

Electric power steering lost power and failed while driving on drive way. The steering became very difficult to turn and the car became very hard to control if not impossible. If it had failed while on the road with other cars, especially while turning, the car could be in a crash with serious accident that could have injured me and others. The problem was reproduced by the dealer. The dealer examined the car and steering components and has confirmed that the electric power steering rack failed. There was a recall done (17V243000) some time ago, however, my VIN is not included in the recall. The problem that my car is having is exactly the same as is described in this recall, 17V243000. It seems that more cars are having this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11573093

Feb 21, 2024

Positive Crankcase ventilation regularly Valve. This issue is in so many c300s and should be recalled for that reason.

NHTSA ODI 11573226

Feb 20, 2024Engine

Positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve performance

NHTSA ODI 11572922

Feb 19, 2024Electrical system

The sunroof locked open during a road trip. I am mechanically inclined, so adding lubricant and driving through a low pressure air front caused the sunroof to shut. Had I been in an emergency, not mechanically inclined, or if this happen during inclement weather or to a little old lady this would have been a severe issue causing the vehicle to become inoperable due to rain or snow entering the cabin and reducing visibility, and damaging the electronic components in the vehicle's cabin. This is also a safety hazard to the the drivers health in conditions of smog, extreme low temperature, animal attack or if there was an assault from a criminal with ill intentions.

NHTSA ODI 11572718

Feb 16, 2024Electrical systemEngine

Crankcase Ventilation Valve Emission Modification -Error P052E71 -Error P06DA00

NHTSA ODI 11572383

Feb 15, 2024Body & structure

I took my car for service "B" at the dealership. They told me the rear subframe is rusting and there is a hole forming already. Apparently, this is a known problem that Mercedes Benz provided warranty extension up to 20 years with unlimited mileage. However, they stopped at 2015 models. Mine was bought from the same dealership in October 2015, but it is a 2016 model, but actually has the exact same problem earlier models have and they cover with their voluntary extended warranty. I am told to replace it, it will cost at least $4600. They are refusing to cover it under warranty because I my car is at around 60,000. The car did not even reach 100K and well maintained, but has rusted frame already that can be a serious safety hazard according to Mercedes Benz associate.

NHTSA ODI 11572113

Feb 13, 2024Engine

Error code PO52e crankcase ventilation

NHTSA ODI 11571785

Feb 12, 2024Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the adhesive bonding on the front panel of the sunroof had failed, and the panel detached from the vehicle and the sunroof could no longer be opened. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571422

Feb 8, 2024LightsSpeed controlSeats

When starting car you can smell gasoline the smell stays while driving

NHTSA ODI 11570780

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Working with the data? Download all 317 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Mercedes-benz C-class Phev verdict →