2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs 2016 Volkswagen Beetle
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | 2016 Volkswagen Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 285 | 47 |
| Recall campaigns | 13 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 141 | 689 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 28 | 26–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 42,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C300 | Volkswagen Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 93 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 57 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 34 |
| Electrical System | 32 | 6 |
| Structure | 26 | 1 |
| Power Train | 18 | 1 |
| Steering | 13 | 2 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 41 | 0 |
| Stalling | 10 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 6 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 6 | 0 |
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300
2016 Volkswagen Beetle
Compare all Mercedes-Benz C300 vs Volkswagen Beetle years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.