Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
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 the sunroof failed to close and was stuck open. The vehicle was taken to dealer and was diagnosed that the sunroof rail, motor and rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, she noticed that the sunroof was lifting up. The contact decreased her speed to 10-15 MPH and moved to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that sunroof flew off and landed on the ground. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at her own expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving during rainy weather conditions, water leaked through the sunroof into the interior of the vehicle. In addition, while attempting to close the sunroof, the sunroof glass remained open and slanted on the front and rear diver's sides. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V087000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was determined that the sunroof rails had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the sunroof suddenly exploded and shattered. The contact stated she was able to pull over to the side of the road, where she inspected the vehicle and did not find the cause of the failure. The contact then drove the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the roof panel needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined to provide any assistance. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, the driver's side sunroof corner was slightly raised. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, she heard the panoramic sunroof glass sliding back and forth. The contact stated that she held the sunroof glass while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to open the sunroof, it slightly opened and the force itself closed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the sunroof glass detached. There was a roaring sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V087000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who added plastic to the vehicle. The dealer determined that the sunroof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
While driving my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 on Route 12 in Utica, NY around 8:10 PM on May 29, 2025, the panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded while in the tilted vent position. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass raining into the cabin, causing multiple cuts to my hand, ear, arm, and lower back while I was driving. The shock nearly caused me to lose control of the vehicle. Conditions were clear and dry, around 60 F, and I was driving about 50-55 mph. I have reported the incident to Mercedes-Benz USA (Case #14443457). This is a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned about residual glass in the vehicle's ventilation system and potential future injuries. I am also concerned about paint and interior damage from the explosion.
Picked my 5 year old Granddaughter up from camp we had a down tornado warning and we were driving home suddenly the sunroof opens it starts raining on us I hurried and pushed the button to close it when I did it made a loud crunch noise and almost shut but stayed vented and one side is higher than the other. When you try to close it or open it it does move a like but I'm scared it will break on us
The complaint is about the sunroof which has an open recall with all warning signs and risks exactly identical to my make, year and model (2016 mercedes benz c300). More than 15,000 vehicles have been affected by this problem and the warning signs suddenly appear with the vehicle. Mercedes Benz after their investigation after several reports were filed, later found that the sunroof glass panels were installed without prior application of the primer (bonding agent) which was supposed to ensure the specified strength of the bonded joint. NHTSA received several complaints concerning this issue where the sunroof suddenly began shaking and rattling which began with the driver noticing excessive wind noises in the area of the sunroof while driving indicating that the panel might be partially separated from the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 vehicles manufactured December 11, 2015, to December 23, 2015, C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 12, 2015, to December 29, 2015, and C450 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 12, 2015, to December 22, 2015.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bonding of the rear sunroof glass panel, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2016.
Window & Wiper complaints in other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, 7% of the model year's 289 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-087 (sun/moon roof assembly, Feb 16, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.