2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Other / unspecified529.4%
- Body & structure423.5%
- Electrical423.5%
- Steering211.8%
- Powertrain (other)15.9%
- Visibility15.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RIMS CRACKED TWICE WITHIN 1 YEAR. FIRST TIME WAS IN 2018 THE 2ND 2019
DEFECTIVE 19'' MERCEDES-BENZ AMG ALLOY RIM CRACKED AND CAUSED TIRE PRESSURE FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Panoramic sunroof pillars/rails detaching while operating vehicle. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair. When operating the vehicle at a moderate speed, the sunroof continued to adjust itself on its own. Belive that there is a risk of the sunroof detaching from the stock plastic rails and that it may not be properly bonded. I do not feel comfortable usuing the Panoramic sunroof for fear of it detaching during driving conditions, putting other motorist and myself in danger.
The panoramic sunroof does not properly seal to car, allowing the glass to detach and fall from the vehicle during operation and likely to impair the operator during use. Furthermore, without properly sealing the internal cabin is exposed to the environment (i.e. rain, snow, ect.) causing further damage to the internal safety and electrical features.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
When I go to put my car in reverse, or drive the gear control is malfunctioning and I’m afraid this can be deadly or cause serious injury.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I go to put my car in reverse, or drive the gear control is malfunctioning and I’m afraid this can be deadly or cause serious injury.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE 405 FREEWAY VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST AT 65MPH, VEHICLE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO STEER & STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE STEERING TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE ALL LIGHT CAME ON NO-START. BATTERY CABLE HAD TO BE REMOVED WAIT 30MIN AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN BEVERLY HILLS, DEALER DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND SOME DTC'S CODES AND RESET AND RETURN VEHICLE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sudden fracture of the propeller shaft universal joint at freeway speeds causing catastrophic damage to the transmission and exhaust system. This matches the failure described in NHTSA Recall 26V216. While driving on Arizona Freeway 202. Extreme clanking noise heard and lost all power in middle of rush hour. Barely able to navigate vehicle safely off the freeway. No warning whatsoever. Had to be towed to Mercedes Benz Gilbert where documentation provided as to failure.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Just purchased this vehicle in Utah, was driving from Utah to Idaho on the interstate at 80mph when all of a sudden my sunroof opened up with high winds and blew right off. Luckily nobody was behind me but I’ve been driving 2 hours without a sunroof due to weak glue/manufacturing defect
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .