2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 · symptom sheet
Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong
- 27owner reports
- 83,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
57 of the 286 complaints on this car are about the fuel and propulsion. 27 of those describe fuel tank problems. Only misfire is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Fuel tank problems on other C300 years
No other C300 model year has enough reports of fuel tank problems for a sheet of its own. See every C300 year.
What this problem usually is
This group mixes an annoyance with a hazard. On the annoying side, the pump at the gas station keeps clicking off before the tank is full, or the fuel gauge jumps around and reads wrong. On the hazardous side, owners smell gas in or around the car or see fuel dripping underneath. Some say it only happens right after filling up.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the fuel line (8 reports) and the fuel pump module (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the fuel and propulsion covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 104,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Complaint Customer-perceived problem: • Fuel gauge reading implausible • MIL ON (market-dependent) N118/3 Fault codes in control units FSCM_GEN4/5/6 • For these fault codes, the tests contained in XENTRY must be carried out P046109 / P206609 / P13E600 • For ...
What owners wrote
“Engine light on smells gas constantly tried to change oil that did not work light came back on”
Filed Sep 19, 2023
“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).”
Filed Jun 9, 2023
“Strong smell of gasoline on a daily basis for 3 months. Took vehicle to mechanic's and was informed that the fuel lines were leaking. Was shown the cracked lines.”
Filed Feb 1, 2023
“2016 MERCEDES BENZ C300. When I start the car , you smell gas inside and outside of the car. Also the fumes come the vent when the heat is turned on. I have approximately 69,700 miles on my car”
Filed Dec 27, 2022 · 69,700 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 54 reports