2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical Problems

32 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 to NHTSA — 11% of all 289 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 11,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 18 C300 model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 12). 2 related recalls have been issued.

32complaints
11ktypical miles
2related recalls
2crashes
3fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Starter assembly
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    660%
  • 25k–50k
    220%
  • 50k–75k
    220%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the energy saver START/STOP feature engaged, but the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the START/STOP function failed to operate as designed. The mechanic informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V114000 (Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

56,000 miles · Jul 2025

I was moving my car from one parking space to another space in front of my house. As I was pulling into the new space, I stopped to check the position of my car. As I lifted my foot off the brake, the car unexpectedly started to lurch forward. When I released the brake pedal, the car suddenly accelerated and proceeded to jump the curb and run into the front of my house. Luckily, no one was injured. There was some damage to the exterior of my house. I have reported this issue to the car manufacturer, Mercedes Benz. In response, they have opened a case to research it further.

Jun 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle and locking the doors; after a while, the vehicle would independently unlock the doors and then start up without driver input. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

43,000 miles · Jun 2022

Mercedes-Benz comes with ECO Start/Stop feature. This feature automatically activates when you start the vehicle and have your seat belt fastened with the door closed. When this function is activated, your vehicle's engine will shut off when you are at a complete stop, like at a stoplight or in standstill traffic. Once it's time to start moving again, the vehicle's engine will automatically restart as soon as you lift your foot off the brake. Randomly experiencing an issue with this feature, vehicle will not restart or it will shutdown in the middle of the road, on the busy road or freeway, it is very unsafe or dangerous. In last two years, we experienced this issue for at least 10 times, at least 5 times vehicle was towed to Mercedes Benz service center in Pleasanton, CA. …

Dec 2021

My C300 MBZ, 2016 is experiencing the same symptoms as indicated in a recall, but my vehicle is not included in that recall. Camshaft: GENERAL REPAIR A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa. Cams act as a vital component to your automobile's engine. A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part. Camshafts provide power to the cams which are vital for basic engine operation. The cost of fixing this approximately $10,000 per Mercerdes dealer and estimate from Keyes Mercerdes. The Brief: Mercedes-Benz issued a recall for some model cars tied to a faulty drive shaft.T he problem not only can cause vehicles to lose power but may elevate crash risk, according to the National Traffic Safety Administration. …

Feb 2026

When I was driving down the road my car got a message on the dash that said power steering malfunction see owners manual. My steering wheel got locked up and tight it was hard to keep control of my car at 60 miles per hour. When I took it to the repair shop, I asked about the repair and if my Vin had a recall and when I looked up the production date of my car it's 2 numbers off the Vin numbers that were recalled for your. same issue with hat happened in 2016 when my car was produced in 2015, it says the same thing. It will cost like 5k to fix the problem due to the fact that its a sensor, and when I looked up the recall it was the same sensor that the recall was on with my Vin only being 2 numbers off I find it odd that my car is not affected by this bc its the same problem of the recall the part of that controls the power steering in the car

May 2025

While driving, my vehicle suddenly shut down in the middle of traffic without any prior warning. I was left stranded in the hot sun, fearing for my safety and praying that I wouldn't be rear-ended. The incident was not only terrifying but also unacceptable for a vehicle of this caliber. I contact Mercedes customer service. I spoke to a representative name Stephanie. She called the Mercedes dealership service department in Columbus, Ga and received confirmation that my car did shut completely down on me without warning. Stephanie stated she will notate the incident. I told her there should be more than just a notation because this put me in grave danger, not only was my life in jeopardy this is a serious potential threat to others.

May 2025

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 is stalling. Not sure what's going on with these mechanics and technicians. I pay to dollar to ensure my family safety on the road here I am stuck without support due to my circumstances. Also, my car just idles the shuts off doesn't turn mall the way on, magically a check engine light flashed then car just immediately stalled and won't turn back over all the way.

Apr 2026

Check engine light appeared this morning, had the code scanned and found it to be P052E. This code is in reference to the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, which is responsible for routing excessive crankcase gases. After extensive research online, it would seem this is a known issue for Mercedes once they reach 50,000 miles, right outside of warranty. This is a very costly fix due to it being labor intensive. This should be a recall as it is a known mechanical issue, and even the dealers echo the same.

Feb 2023

My car had a problem about starting so I went to see a dealership. They got the job done and charged me $320. I just realized that in the invoice they used recall campaign to cover my car. However, they charged me $320 for no reason. Also, I never got any letter regarding to recall. How did they used recall campaign on my car?? And I recently had a sunroof derailed and they used the campaign again but charge me $2700 for it. And of course my car isn't in their recall list?? I never got a letter as well

Jun 2023

Related recalls

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 17V-177 · Mar 14, 2017 · 51 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 17V-114 · Feb 23, 2017 · 307,629 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Electrical complaints in other C300 years

’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’252281988443121995032311113317551
Electrical complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz C300.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, 11% of the model year's 289 complaints. The component named most often is starter assembly (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-177 (software, Mar 14, 2017); NHTSA recall 17V-114 (starter assembly, Feb 23, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.