2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 291 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,405miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, 4% of the 291 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,405 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11660099, filed 2025-05“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11573093, filed 2024-02“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 complaint #11575166, filed 2024-03“The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact drove around for a while before driving back to the garage. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering had failed, and a software update was needed. The vehicle had been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11614222, filed 2024-09, 30,810 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 10 MPH, there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact shifted into drive and while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the clunking sound persisted, and the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the aluminum bolts in the drive shaft had corroded and sheared off. The contact was informed that the steering rack and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11637949, filed 2025-01, 78,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V850000Nov 29, 2018Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019…Covers: Mercedes-Benz C300 2015–2019, AMG C63 2017–2019, AMG C63S 2015, 2018 +5 more
- 17V243000Apr 11, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 C300 vehicles. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been…Covers: Mercedes-Benz C300 2016–2017
- 16V438000Jun 15, 2016Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2015, to March 1, 2016. In the affected…Covers: Mercedes-Benz C300 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11037228Aug 28, 2026Complaint 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…
- 11019747Jun 9, 2025Complaint Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment jammed in the top/bottom adjustment position (e.g. with Easy Entry function), noise (breakaway noise) when…
- 11000598May 8, 2024Complaint Noticeable vibrations at the steering wheel: • At speeds between 40mph and 75mph • On straight stretches of road and in long corners • With driver assistance systems…
- 10233783Mar 1, 2023Complaint Loads induced at the steering wheel through pushing and pulling actions may cause creaking and cracking noises in the mechanical steering column. Cause Insufficient…
- 10217157Jul 14, 2022Complaint Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment jammed in the top/bottom adjustment position (e.g. with Easy Entry function). Cause Height adjustment moves to…
- 10181128Sep 16, 2020Cracking/Creaking Noises Coming From The Area Of The Mechanical Steering Column
- 10135638Oct 16, 2014Red display message in instrument cluster "Power Steering Malfunction - See Owner's Manual"
- 10135621Oct 10, 2014Red display message in instrument cluster "Power Steering Malfunction - See Owner's Manual"
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 12 | 12% |
| 2017 | 13 | 6% |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% |
| 2015 | 23 | 6% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 26 | 10% |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% |
| 2011 | 34 | 7% |
| 2010 | 71 | 16% |
| 2009 | 136 | 24% |
| 2008 | 136 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300
94 complaintsFuel system
67 complaintsOther or unknown
65 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 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