2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C350e, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 321 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C350e | Plug-in hybrid | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 60 kW DCPM | 28 | 32 | 30 (34 MPGe blended) | 11 mi electric | 56 | 1.5 h | $2,750 |
| C300 | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | — | $2,950 |
| C300 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 24 | 31 | 27 | — | — | — | $3,050 |
| C450 AMG | Gas | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | $3,400 |
| AMG C63 | Gas | RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | — | $4,100 |
| AMG C63 S | Gas | RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | — | $4,100 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38499, 36739, 36737, 36914, 36659, 36738.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C350e | 6–9 / 10 | Bin 4 / LEV-III SULEV30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay |
| C300 | 5–7 / 10 | Bin 5 / LEV-III ULEV70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay |
| AMG C63, AMG C63 S, C300 4matic | 5–7 / 10 | Bin 5 / LEV-III ULEV70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| C450 AMG | 5–6 / 10 | Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEV | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| GVWR class | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
Engine Basics
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Engine configuration | In-Line |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 241 hp |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Electric |
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 350e, C300, C300-4M, C450-4M Sport AMG). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 180.7–187.4 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 69.7–71.3 in |
| Height | 55.5–57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7–111.8 in |
| Track, front | 59.4–62.6 in |
| Track, rear | 59.4–61.8 in |
| Curb weight | 3,417–3,814 lb |
| Weight distribution, front/rear | 53/47 to 55/45 |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 8 configurations: C 300 4Matic 4-door Sedan, C 450 AMG 4Matic 4-door Sedan, C 63 AMG 4-door Sedan, C250 Coupe 2-door, C300D 4-door Wagon, C350 4Matic Coupe 2-door AWD …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (14)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseFuel System, Gasoline
2022030003Structure
2021070010Electrical System
2021020025Communication
2019120008Steering
2019080012Power Train
2017110002Air Bags
2017110011Steering
Air Bags
Engine And Engine Cooling
2017080002Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2016090002Steering
Visibility
These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars — Front Roof Panel Detachment closed
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles. The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adh
Opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · action PE21001 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific C-Class
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this C-Class →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database7 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 8 injuries · 0 deaths reported
40 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 80,647 C-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2016: 8 · 2017: 20 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 20 · 2021: 34 · 2022: 56 · 2023: 58 · 2024: 57 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 17
Most-cited components
In depth: engine problems → · fuel system problems →
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG, M177 4.0L twin-turbo V8. This engine is marketed under Mercedes-Benz's "One Man, One Engine" philosophy — hand-assembled by a single master technician.
My brother was driving his car on the highway and out of no where the sunroof literally exploded causing the glass to shatter on him and the front panel to detach from the vehicle. Swinging and hanging on the side of the car causing dents, scratches, and chips making this a safety hazard.
Front right wheel went flat and suspected tire had a small leak. Dealer inspected and indicated the wheel was cracked, causing the leak. While waiting for a replacement, a vehicle inspection indicated the left front wheel was also cracked, though not yet leaking air. The vehicle had been dealer-serviced with OEM run-flat tires.
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.
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
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…
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Mercedes-Benz itself: 64 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 74 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 79 per 100,000 built. Every C-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
When owners reported it
miles, typically
Half the 80 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 25,000 and 58,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.
Median mileage by component
| Component | Reports | Median miles | Vs same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 | 60,000 | 1.28× |
| Visibility/Wiper | 15 | 40,000 | 1.11× |
| Engine | 12 | 43,000 | 0.69× |
Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.
Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 11% |
| 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 11% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsMost often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Exterior Lighting, Power Train.
- LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Power Train
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of t
- LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
- LI82.62-P-078631 Service bulletin2026-09-14 · Structure — Body
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document i
- LI27.10-P-075869 Service bulletin2026-09-14 · Power Train
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following
- LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin2026-09-04 · Power Train
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of
- LI42.10-P-063502 Service bulletin2026-09-01 · Service Brakes
- Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions. Cause Frictional vibrations Remedy The intent of this document is to reduce noise from high performance AMG brakes. AMG brakes are designed for performance under high load and in certain scenarios, can emit noise. Some scenarios are normal and some are induced by driving style like those listed
- LI 27.10-P-080851 Service bulletin2026-08-29 · Power Train
- Complaint Intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. May be most noticeable when transitioning from a coasting condition to accelerator pedal application. May occur in all drive modes. Cause Dual‑clutch transmissions (DCT) inherently exhibit more dynamic shifting behavior compared to other types of transmi
- LI46.35-P-067339 Service bulletin2026-08-28 · Steering
- Complaint 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 electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to:
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P052E P052E on Mercedes-Benz → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 44 owner reports |
| C350E C350E on Mercedes-Benz → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 4 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.8% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).
failed emissions
2,118 initial inspections of 2,064 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2016 C-Class | Every 2016 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 3.6% | 4.2% | 2,111 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2,118 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.33% | 0.27% | 2,118 |
| Miles driven a year | 8,471 | 10,028 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 86,917 | 103,109 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
C-Class by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2016 C-Class
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 14 recall campaigns for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 18V850000, covering Steering. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
NHTSA gave the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (35/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 30 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Transport Canada measured it at 180.7–187.4 in long, 69.7–71.3 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.5–57.9 in tall, on a 108.7–111.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,417–3,814 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often about engine, unspecified, fuel/propulsion system. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 8 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class runs 5 to 9 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 4, Bin 5, LEV-II ULEV, LEV-III SULEV30, LEV-III ULEV70 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The manufacturer has filed 960 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.8% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 6 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 6 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 14 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 321 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 2 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 960 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 3 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 8 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.