2016 Mercedes Benz C300 fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I’ve been driving my car since September when it was purchased I just got it from dealership 4/9/26 spent over $1100 and have been working like regular full time schedule, I wake up today 4/27/26 trying to work and car is stalling. Not sure what’s going on with these mechanics and technicians. I pay to dollar to ensure my family safety on the road here I am stuck without support due to my circumstances. Also, my car just idles the shuts off doesn’t turn mall the way on, magically a check engine light flashed then car just immediately stalled and won’t turn back over all the way.

NHTSA complaint #11733961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Strong fuel smell in cabin Can maybe cause a fire

NHTSA complaint #11716863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

fuel lines/ clamps defective causing a fuel leak. vehicle could catch on fire and fumes are extremely strong inside the cabin. issue confirmed by Mercedes dealer, mentioned there is an extended warranty up to 120,000 miles. rejected mine because i was at 120,300 miles. had to pay out of pocket. no warning lights or anything just the really strong smell of fuel and fuel range dropping. this is a very common issue thats known and should be a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11714200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that whenever the fuel tank was full, there was a fuel-burning odor coming from the engine and entered the vehicle through the A/C vents. In addition, when the vehicle was cold, the odor was entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a collision center specializing in foreign vehicles, where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail and injectors had a fuel leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). However, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that his mother owned the vehicle in the past and gave the vehicle to the contact two years ago. The contact's mother remembered receiving a recall letter; however, the contact's mother was unsure if the vehicle had been repaired in the past. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11708321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

An independent service center diagnosed my car as having a fuel leak stemming from the fuel rail and fuel injectors. This is a fire hazard due to a gas leak. There is a gas smell in the interior cabin that I noticed approximately one month ago. I believe this pertains to NHTSA ID #21V961, and I would like NHTSA to consider including my VIN in this recall.

NHTSA complaint #11704054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 started giving off funky fumes last year in 2024, now the fumes have turned into the smell of gas in 2025. Everytime that I call the dealership on Rockside Rd./ Broadway, located in Bedford Ohio, they give me an excuse as to why it's not their responsibility to correct the issue. What can I do?

NHTSA complaint #11703213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT'S RIDICULOUS I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF NOVI, MI) YESTERDAY 2016 MERCEDES C300 4MATIC FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON LOW PRESSURE FUEL HOSE AS THE CAR CABIN SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOT ME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS AND THREW ME IN BED FOR A DAY. WHEN I ARRIVED THERE I WAS TOLD YEAH THIS IS COMMON ON THESE CARS AND WARRANTY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. GOT A CALL LATER SAYING IT WILL NOT BE COVERED AS THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY SURPASSED MY CAR AS MY CAR PRODUCTION DATE IS 09/15, I WAS LIKE PLEASE ITS ONLY A COUPLE MONTH AFTER AND ITS A FIRE HAZARDOUS AND HEALTH MATTER THEY WERE LIKE NO, NOW MY CAR IS THERE AND I HAVE TO PAY THEM $850 TO CHANGE AN ISSUE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN CARE FROM THE BEGINNING FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #11699111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was a gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle on several occasions, while driving at various speeds and while parked. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated, the fuel consumption increased, with the fuel gauge lowered more quickly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who saw gasoline pooling near the fuel injector, and the coils were leaking between the fuel injector and the fuel rail, and the fuel rail or possibly the injector seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the vehicle should be included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11698896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled a gasoline odor in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the fuel hose downstream of the fuel pump was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V837000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11694990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance Code P052E indicates a fault in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance for a predetermined.

NHTSA complaint #11665952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The panoramic sunroof is locked in an open position and will no longer close.

NHTSA complaint #11655669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Smells like gas strong

NHTSA complaint #11647103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle when the heater was activated. The contact stated that the cabin air filter was replaced; however, the odor was lingering inside of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was gas leaking onto the transmission and that the fuel rail, fuel hose, and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); as a possible cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA complaint #11642756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

During cold weather there is always a gasoline smell when starting the engine that eventually goes away. On 01/20/2025 the smell was so intense that I decided to stop the engine and leave the car outside the garage just in case. Upon opening the hood, I noticed an amount of a type of liquid similar to gasoline right on the undercarriage protector covers. I could not reach with my hands but instead I used a wood stick that I had in the garage. I reached the liquid and submerged the stick for like 10 seconds and pulled it out. When I smelled it, it indeed smelled like gasoline. I took the stick to the back patio and lighted it up and as I suspected, the tip of the stick lighted up like a torch. I called a nearby mechanic and made an appointment to check it out and today (01/23/2025) I am bringing it in. I went to Youtube and found numerous videos showing this "well known issue" with some of the fuel lines in this type of vehicle which I believe is a tremendous hazard. Just imagine that when I turned the engine up on 01/20/25 the engine could had gone up in flames burning not only the vehicle, but my entire house with maybe my family inside? Please take serious note on this issue and try to come up with a mandatory solution for the problem. I will let you guys know the findings from the Mercedes mechanic once the job if completed in case you need more information. Thanks

NHTSA complaint #11637884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Smells like gas and my auto group gave me a recall campaign bulletin showing recall for my make model and year (Mercedes c300 2016), but my VIN doesn’t show it as being covered by that recall.

NHTSA complaint #11637361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel is leaking inside cabin whenever I turn on my heat

NHTSA complaint #11630342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There is a fuel leak in the engine area and as well.as.undermeath the vehicle and Mercedes only covers a extended warranty which is not fully fixing the issues gas is a dangerous thing and I would.wjy haven't there been a recall on this know.issue with these w205 Mercedes

NHTSA complaint #11580592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve is crucial for regulating the flow of gases in the engine's crankcase. If the PCV valve malfunctions or becomes clogged in a car like the 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4-matic, several problems can arise: 1. **Increased Pressure:** A malfunctioning PCV valve can cause pressure to build up in the crankcase. This increased pressure can lead to oil leaks, gasket failures, or even engine seals blowing out. 2. **Poor Engine Performance:** When the PCV valve fails, it can disrupt the air-fuel mixture in the engine, leading to rough idling, stalling, or decreased fuel efficiency. This can result in a loss of power and overall poor engine performance. 3. **Contamination:** A faulty PCV valve may not properly route harmful gases, like unburned fuel and moisture, out of the crankcase. This can lead to contamination of the engine oil, reducing its effectiveness in lubricating engine components and potentially causing premature wear and damage. 4. **Increased Emissions:** A malfunctioning PCV valve can result in increased emissions from the vehicle, as it may not properly recirculate harmful gases back into the combustion chamber for burning. Overall, a nonfunctional PCV valve can negatively impact both the car's performance and the environment, potentially leading to costly repairs and increased pollution. Additionally, prolonged exposure to increased emissions from the vehicle can be harmful to both the environment and the health of individuals. Therefore, it's essential to regularly inspect and maintain the PCV valve to ensure proper functioning of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11579368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There is a gas smell pervasive in the driving compartment of the car. My mechanic identified a recall campaign for almost every other 2016 C 300 class vehicle. For some reason, my “platform quote number is not listed, but the problem is exactly the same as described in campaign description number. 21P2197456 released on December 17, 2021.

NHTSA complaint #11578066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Power Train System - P052E Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Indicates a fault in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve. I repaired my car for the same issue in 2019 January and it failed again in 2024 January. It costs $2000 to repair and it has a warranty of two. It failed after 3 years. Same issue is occurring in Mercedes C300 and GLC 300 and multiple times. But company isnt taking any responsibility to fix the issue or at least extend the warranty. 1. Incident 1 - Jan 2019, Miles 28k 2. Incident 2 - Jan 2024, Miles 61k

NHTSA complaint #11567582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Mercedes Benz Selma, Texas Dearlership refuses to service known issue with fuel system leaks on C300 because they cannot reproduce problem. Problem is that don't have the correct environment to test for this know problem. “There is a short rubber fuel line/hose in the engine compartment that is attached with compression clamps; the hose connects the fuel line from the gas tank to the high pressure fuel pump. When it gets cold outside (below ~40 degrees Fahrenheit) the clamps loosen a bit and the hose will leak gas. This is what you will smell in the cabin. Once it gets warmer outside or the engine bay warms up, the smell will tend to go away. No clue how they've gone all this time without a safety recall, but I did make a report to the NHTSB last month when it started happening to me.” The fix is to have the rubber line w/clamps replaced. If you still have warranty the dealer can take care of it. (Provided they are configured to test for this defect properly which they are not. Bottom line, fuel leaks in garages like mine with a gas water heater are a BIG issue. I alerted the dealership that they and MB would be liable if something were to happen since they refused to repair vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11559164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Engine light on smells gas constantly tried to change oil that did not work light came back on

NHTSA complaint #11545313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

It is such a common issue reported by many 2016 c300 owner who experienced error code p052e bad Pve valve. My car only has 40,000 miles. I think the manufacture should be responsible for a recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11535168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was just driving normally boom engine light comes on take it to the dealership and it come up as crank case vent line which they quoted me 2300$. I think this should be recalled I have seen so many people with the same issue I have actually had someone tell me this was the only major problems with the w205 c300 before this happened. I think it should be recalled because from what I’ve seen it happens to every single c300 just at different mileages. Hopefully this will get a recall because it seems to be a very common issue and should be covered by the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11527138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Engine misfire, rough idle, shake when come to red light stop, burnt smell inside cabin, loss of power

NHTSA complaint #11526152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vent valve failed and needs repair. I could smell gasoline from my car weeks up to the check engine light going off. These leaking fumes are a hazard to the population and environment. This problem is quite common on Mercedes forums such as MBWorld. This car was diagnosed at an official Mercedes Benz dealership (New London, CT). The check engine light came on weeks after symptoms started to appear (on and off).

NHTSA complaint #11526231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This auto has approximately 45,000 miles on it and was found to have a fuel leakage issue on a high pressure pump and a fuel hose. Gas smell was very bad and upon inspection, gas was leaking at the hose / pump connection directly onto the engine. I had the defect repaired for a total of $1288.57 and tried to submit the claim to Mercedes. I found out that this issue has been a problem for Mercedes and they have published an extended warranty rather than issue a recall. Mercedes has now declined the complaint and because this seems to be a major issue I wanted to press this with your agency. Please let me know if you would like any additional documentation regarding this matter. Thank you - [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11526045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Check engine light P052E, PVC valve. Dealer wants $2,500 for this repair and people are complaining that around 30k-50k it does it. Thats ridiculous. My dealer said its a common issue but Mercedes is not issuing a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11524763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel smell in cab of car. Strong smell. Took it to dealer and they said they were damp with fuel

NHTSA complaint #11523852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car failed smog test due to code P052e positive crankcase ventilation regularly valve. Upon some research, I found that this is very common issue with this car. The repair costs +$2000 before tax at the dealership. Please consider this complain as this issue is very common with this make model and unfortunately many drivers don’t realize that it’s due to faulty system.

NHTSA complaint #11520243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.