Hi, in the Fall of 2025 my 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4 Matic, started giving off smelly fumes while my car was idling/ warming up. I registered a complaint with the Corporate Mercedes Benz Office USA, LLC in April 2026 @ 800‑367‑6372, after the dealership would not correct the issue free of charge. 1. Hose Clamp Replacement problems. 2. The raw fuel leakage produces strong gasoline odors inside the cabin- via the air filter, risk of car stalling and the smell could be leathal. 3. The problem was confirmed in a lawsuit. 4. The dealership would not repair the issue. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages on the dash board, the only essential issue were the smells, fumes, odors and lawsuit.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300: gas smell in the cabin
46 of the 291 complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
Strong fuel smell in cabin Can maybe cause a fire
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.
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 the federal safety agency ID #21V961, and I would like the federal safety agency to consider including my VIN in this recall.
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?
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Smells like gas strong
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.
Recall number 21V961000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?
46 of 291 owner complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 (16%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300
Check engine light 60Fuel leak 18Stalling 10Sunroof shattered 10Engine failure 7Fuel pump 7Loss of power 7Fire or smoke 6
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