2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class fuel system problems
67 of the 318 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 67 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 4
Half of the 19 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 42,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
318 complaints in all about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 4 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Mercedes-Benz C-Class fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The vehicle has a strong gas smell when the vehicle is idling. Dealer changed the 2 fuel lines and clamps. It's common problem in w205 C300 cars. The car was under extended warranty and the dealer refused to cover it under warranty even though the car has 29k miles. There should be a recall for these fuel hoses. Sauderschelkopf.
Gas smell coming through the vents started off every now and then and became more frequent. Pulled it in the garage and the gas fumes made the total garage smell. Took it to the dealer and they said it is fuel line, that sits near the engine. It is in the shop now.
There was an odor of fuel inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the technician informed me that there was an strong odor of fuel when he lifted the hood and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a mercedes dealer because he was not certified to service the vehicle
The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz C300. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, there was an odor of fuel inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the technician informed the contact that there was an abnormal odor of fuel when he lifted the hood and advised the contact to take the vehicle…
I purchased my mb C300 used certified and had noticed a fuel smell. I spoke to the dealership and they said it was normal with mb and nothing to be concerned with. I have now had the car for about 5 months and took it to my local mb dealership to find out what is going on with the smell and they said it was a known issue with this make…
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 21V961000 HighDec 13, 2021 · 139 vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Source: the same files- engine problems 100 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 67 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (21% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 21V961000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles; half of them between 42,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.