2016 Mercedes-Benz C300: sunroof shattered

Filed May 30, 2025 · Visibility · NY · 1 injury

While driving my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 on Route 12 in Utica, NY around 8:10 PM on May 29, 2025, the panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded while in the tilted vent position. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass raining into the cabin, causing multiple cuts to my hand, ear, arm, and lower back while I was driving. The shock nearly caused me to lose control of the vehicle. Conditions were clear and dry, around 60°F, and I was driving about 50–55 mph. I have reported the incident to Mercedes-Benz USA (Case #14443457). This is a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned about residual glass in the vehicle’s ventilation system and potential future injuries. I am also concerned about paint and interior damage from the explosion.

Filed Feb 18, 2025 · Body · CA

--The sunroof glass suddenly shattered without any prior warning while the vehicle was in driving on the road. Some of the broken glass pieces scattered throughout the interior of the car. --The sudden shattering of the glass roof created a hazardous situation for the driver and passengers. Although no one was injured, we were shocked and initially thought it might be an explosion or gunfire. Additionally, the tiny glass shards is very dangerous. --We have called dealer and they said there might be several similar cases reported. --The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, but I have called dealer and insurance company. --There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a potential failure before the incident. The glass shattered unexpectedly and spontaneously while driving.

Filed May 17, 2024 · NC

While driving on the highway, I tried to open my panoramic sunroof, it made a grinding sound and was stuck in the open position with one corner for the sunroof slanted higher than the other. I was afraid that the sunroof would shatter or that the wind would blow off components. Afterward, the sunroof would not close even after I took it to the dealership. They informed me that they could not close the sunroof and my only option was to repair it for $4,000 or buy another car. After looking at the costs of replacement cars, I decided to pay for the repairs out of pocket. I found on multiple reddit and mercedes forums that this is a common issue in Mercedes C class vehicles made on and around 2016. My service advisor told me that he has so many customers from these panoramic sunroofs failing due to a cost cutting measure from Mercedes who decided to use plastic tracks instead of metal. He also informed me that they went back to metal a few years after my car was manufactured. This leads me to believe that Mercedes acknowledged the issue and is trying to hide it from the federal safety agency. Here is a link to a forum post that has a similar picture to how mine looked, notice that one side is stuck in a higher position. [XXX] Here is another post with others with similar issues [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 9, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · CA · 1 injury

The small plastic located inside the sliding panoramic sunroof explode and the Panasonic sunroof can be open/close or up/down normally but when I hit close it will stop where the broken pieces was and the roof will automatically move back to the fully open position Dealer said need the rail replaced -2057800175 -2057800275 Motor is broken, need to be replaced , he said after saying the roof can go forward and backward, up and down but can’t close completely. I was gullible to believe what the technician and sale guy said. Technically technician can check the voltage and say it for sure if it is broken. Also, a technician already knew that the sliding rail is damaged. He jumped to the conclusion that motor is broken because of sunburn. I have asked my nephew what he would do in this situation. He innocently said he would replace new sliding rails first and try to run if the “alleged motor “ is really broken. If it is broken, he can just switch to a new motor before testing to confirm it working. He wouldn’t decide to buy a new motor that cost $1,400 extra while the old one might be working properly. Anyway, labor with rails and “motor” cost $3500. Then later I learn I’m not alone. How many affected from this defective parts that Mercedes doesn’t sell it separately. Owner must buy 2 set of rails- a left set and a right set. Cost $1100 total. So since the number of affected are pretty high, a few factory in China and turkey decides to produce these little and sell it online for $15-92, glue and lubricants included. -number of owners struggling to find parts https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w205/734208-pano-roof-failure-2.html Parts that Mercedes cannot sell it separately so owners have to buy 2 sets left set and right set rails. “Try words like repair sunroof kit for Mercedes “ on eBay only a few couple thousand people buying it in 2022 alone. https://www.ebay.com/p/28019877104 Motor broken? https://c.xtime.com/tvyUiiMwuwoA2L8JXX#/completePage

Filed May 8, 2022 · LA

I was driving my 2016 MB C300 on a clear sunny day (approx 85 degrees outside) going around 50 mph when out of nowhere my pano sunroof exploded (extremely terrifying sound might I add!)! I never open my sunroof and it did not have any chips or cracks at all so there is no explanation. Almost the entire sunroof shattered! Mind you I was driving on an open road (no trees, overpasses, bridges, etc). No cars in front of me and closest car was around 1/4 behind me. Shards of glass fell on top of me and went all over the interior of my car. I almost drove off the road and could have gotten glass in my eyes! After inspecting, it almost appears as if the glass exploded outwards. This is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed ASAP by Mercedes Benz before someone gets killed!

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Visibility · 32,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the sunroof suddenly exploded and shattered. The contact stated she was able to pull over to the side of the road, where she inspected the vehicle and did not find the cause of the failure. The contact then drove the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the roof panel needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined to provide any assistance. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Visibility · 40,000 miles · TX

While driving on the highway, I heard a loud noise that, on first impression, LED me to believe someone fired a gunshot at and struck my vehicle. Upon looking up, I immediately noticed it was not a gunshot but instead the glass to the front portion of my panoramic sunroof had spontaneously shattered and flew completely off the vehicle. This flying glass flew directly backwards and could have posed a deadly result for the numerous drivers traveling behind me. There were no flying objects or other dangerous instruments that struck the vehicle but the sunroof spontaneously, on its own, shattered and completely detached from the vehicle. Upon subsequent online investigation, I learned this very issue has been experienced by other mercedes benz drivers, with the sunroofs spontaneously shattering and flying off. Despite purchasing a extensive warranty at the time of purchase, body work, inclusive of glass replacement, is not covered. Consequently, I was forced to file an auto insurance claim, which required an immediate $500 deductible to be paid to enable the repair company to order the replacement glass. This reoccurring issue most certainly requires a recall for vehicles containing this problematic sunroof. It is not only a danger to the driver of the vehicle, but also to all others traveling on the road.

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Visibility · 34,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz c300. While driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise suddenly occurred. The driver pulled over and discovered that the sun roof had erroneously shattered. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the mercedes-benz of littleton (8070 south broadway, littleton, co) where it was diagnosed that the sun roof was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 34,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Visibility · 10,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz c300. While driving 70 MPH, the panoramic sun roof exploded. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (mercedes-benz of laguna niguel (1 star dr, laguna niguel, ca 92877) where it was diagnosed that a rock shattered the sun roof. The contact was advised to file a claim with the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and was performing a product investigation. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · 17,000 miles · TX

I was driving down the freeway at approximately 65 MPH and the panoramic sunroof on my mercedes c300 exploded. I say "exploded" because nothing struck the glass and most of the glass blew out and off the car, not in. The sunroof was closed at the time, so there was no wind pressure. After I stopped, you can even see where the glass remaining is sticking up, not down. The shade was open so glass did fall into my car, cutting my arm. If kids or others were in the car, it would likely have cut them or could have resulted in glass dust in their eyes, etc. It also could have caused an accident by scaring me but also since much of it blew off my car, it put the cars behind me in danger and could have caused them to crash. Mercedes has not taken responsibility of this yet, but I have brought this to their attention. The vehicle was only a little over 1 year old and only about 17,000 miles on it. No way should this have happened. I have more pictures, if you want them.