Recall 16V603 affects 62 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 and GLC300 vehicles for a damaged ESP control unit. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 62 2016 C300 and GLC300 vehicles because a damaged Electronic Stability Program control unit can activate stability control and alter the vehicle's path. The electronic parking brake also can fail to function, which raises crash risk, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 and GLC300 vehicles use an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) hydraulic and control unit as part of the stability-control system. This unit reads wheel and vehicle-motion data, then helps apply brake pressure at individual wheels when the vehicle starts to skid. Its hydraulic side moves brake pressure, and its control side decides when that correction is needed.
On these vehicles, the ESP hydraulic and control unit was damaged during transport before installation. A damaged unit can give the stability-control system bad internal operation or prevent it from responding as designed during a loss-of-traction event. That leaves the driver with less electronic help from a system meant to help keep the vehicle stable.
Owners should see display messages and warning lights if this problem appears. Treat those warnings as the sign to stop relying on the stability-control system and arrange the free Mercedes-Benz dealer repair.
Who's affected?
The C300 sedan and GLC300 SUV are separate body styles, so matching the model name exactly matters before the VIN check.
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 62 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged ESP control unit can activate stability control unexpectedly and alter the vehicle's path. The same fault can keep the electronic parking brake from working, which increases crash risk. If warning lights or display messages appear, pull over when safe and call the dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 or GLC300 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free ESP hydraulic control unit replacement that fixes the stability-control and parking-brake fault.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, and reference recall number 16V603 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, because the stability control can alter the vehicle path and the electronic parking brake can fail to function.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the ESP Hydraulic control units covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since all involved vehicles remained covered under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for this condition.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 16, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 12, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 12, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V603?
Recall 16V603 covers 62 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 and GLC300 vehicles with an ESP control unit that was damaged before installation. The damaged unit can activate stability control unexpectedly or prevent the electronic parking brake from working, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 or GLC300 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V603. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the ESP hydraulic control unit. Reference recall number 16V603 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the ESP hydraulic control unit free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 16V603.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a higher chance of a crash. A damaged ESP control unit can activate stability control without driver input and change the vehicle's path. The electronic parking brake also can fail to function. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought the Mercedes-Benz C300 or GLC300 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 or GLC300 is included, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 16V603.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V603000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V603 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V603000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →