Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
32about this part
Share
11%of 291 total for the year
Median mileage
10,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, 11% of the 291 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On four occasions, the electronic dashboard goes completely black and will stay that way for quite sometime. The dealer told me that the vehicle is 'downloading software', but this has happened on the highway without any warning from m-b. It happens after I park it and then restarted it.”

NHTSA complaint #11296803, filed 2020-01, 29,000 miles

“After stopping and waiting at a traffic light for 15-30 seconds, I had my feet on the brakes and left turn indicator on. The hold option to lock my brakes was not engaged. The car was stationary. Without warning, the car shifted into drive and jolted forward into the vehicle ahead of me at the light. (I was the second car in line, and I stopped about a half car length behind the other driver.) the acceleration was not a typical, gradual movement associated with what happens when I release my foot from the brake to drive. …”

NHTSA complaint #10907333, filed 2016-09, 8,999 miles

“In february 2019 the C300 engine light came on, took the vehicle to the dealer and they said it was a bad catalytic convertor, and the dealer took three days to repair it. Three weeks later in march 2019, while driving 25 miles per hour straight on a residential street the car shut off without a sound, all the lights on the instrument cluster lit up, and the car coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I trie to restart the car, the starter made noise but the engine would not turn over. I called roadside assistance and did the three time lock and unlock routine, and the car would not start. …”

NHTSA complaint #11185421, filed 2019-03, 50,100 miles

“Takata recall NHTSA recall number 17v114 : purchase the vehicle on december of 2016, we got a recall letter in march of 2017 letting us know of the recall but was notify that the part is not available for repair till august of 2017 . On august 05 the car caught on fire in the middle of the street due to recall part.”

NHTSA complaint #11021534, filed 2017-09, 5,600 miles

“C300 anti collision sensor malfunction light displayed and loss engine power for several seconds. The car was traveling aprox 20 MPH at the time on city street. Then power resumed, the warning light went out. Mercedes-benz of temecula, ca could not find a problem. Workorder 229423, 9/13/16”

NHTSA complaint #10906348, filed 2016-09, 900 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024436%
2023523%
2022728%
202117%
202039%
20191319%
20181010%
20173114%
20163211%
20155013%
2014910%
2013197%
2012124%
2011439%
20108419%
200919834%
200822834%

Other parts of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300

Engine
94 complaintsFuel system
67 complaintsOther or unknown
65 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology