Mercedes-Benz GLC problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 510 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. That averages 13.9 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.33 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 510 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz GLC, averaging 13.9 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.33 against all tracked vehicles. While the overall trend is worsening with the 2025 model year running at least 50% above the average rate of 25.1 complaints per year, the most common problem area remains Engine accounting for 28.6% of complaints followed by Electrical at 18.2%. Recurring terms in owner reports include "matic", "engine light", "crankcase", "cylinder head" and "valve", while 37 complaints or 7.3% describe a crash or fire involving 32 injuries and 1 death. In the last 12 months owners filed 128 complaints versus 101 in the previous year, with half of all reported incidents occurring within 33 months of the model year's start.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 175% above the 2018 and 2019 models (34 early complaints per model year versus 14).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (25.1 complaints per year) and the 2019 model year the lowest (8.9). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (28.6% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.2%) and Interior & equipment (11.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “matic”, “engine light”, “crankcase”, “cylinder head” and “valve”. 37 complaints (7.3%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 32 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 128 complaints versus 101 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (30). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 33 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 3 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (2). 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Malfunction Indicator Light / No-Start” (opened 2023-07-25, closed 2024-05-20).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Audi Q7, Lexus NX, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE; Audi Q5, BMW X3, BMW X5 and Acura MDX have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 99 | 11.4 | 0.27 | 20 | 0.22 | 10 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 Fewest complaints | 68 | 8.9 | 0.21 | 8 | 0.1 | 9 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 80 | 12.0 | 0.29 | 14 | 0.25 | 17 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 | 63 | 11.1 | 0.26 | 17 | 0.28 | 17 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 62 | 13.3 | 0.32 | 28 | 0.38 | 20 | 0 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2023 | 65 | 17.7 | 0.42 | 48 | 0.58 | 13 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 | 31 | 11.6 | 0.28 | 21 | 0.3 | 12 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 Years to research carefully | 42 | 25.1 | 0.6 | — | — | 30 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 128 · Previous 12 months: 101 Steady
Problem areas
Engine ›
146 · 28.6% · 1.29 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- engine light54
- cylinder head24
- check engine47
- crankcase16
Body & structure ›
40 · 7.8% · 0.85 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- sunroof20
- glass12
- panoramic7
- matic4
Transmission / powertrain
29 · 5.7% · 0.49 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- gear11
- transmission13
- neutral8
- accelerator9
Fuel system
29 · 5.7% · 1.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel21
- gasoline14
- confirms available8
- tool confirms8
Steering
24 · 4.7% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering21
- wheel17
- irregularities4
- vibrates4
Driver-assist systems
22 · 4.3% · 0.75 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- distronic3
- bruising4
- assist8
- following7
Brakes
21 · 4.1% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake12
- lemon law3
- depressed4
- loud5
Airbags & seat belts
20 · 3.9% · 1.03 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- bag7
- latch plates3
- seat10
- paneling3
Lighting
17 · 3.3% · 2.13 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlight11
- condensation6
- low beam4
- night6
Other
5 · 1.0% · 0.54 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
4 · 0.8% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- matic21
- engine light74
- crankcase22
- cylinder head27
- valve41
- check engine70
- software51
- usa20
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 33 months
What owners report
While the vehicle was being operated normally, it caught fire. We were driving on a summer day in August. Conditions were humid, with temperatures in the mid-80s. The vehicle was on the return leg of an approximately 30-mile drive.
The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350E 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond.
My 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e displayed a “48V battery malfunction” warning on or about July 1, 2026, while the vehicle was less than one year old. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership and remained there until approximately July 20.
My check-engine light recently illuminated, and diagnostic testing identified fault code P06DA00, relating to the oil pump control valve circuit. I have been quoted over $5,000 to replace the oil control valve and oil pump harness.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Forward Collision Avoidance / Active Brake Assist (Automatic Emergency Braking) system failed by falsely identifying a non-existent threat and initiating…
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Luxury SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi Q7 | 349 | 7.3 | 0.17 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 2 | Lexus NX | 123 | 8.0 | 0.19 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Electrical |
| 3 | Lexus RX | 303 | 11.3 | 0.27 | Worsening | Steady | 8 | Airbags & seat belts |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | 476 | 12.8 | 0.3 | Worsening | Steady | 2 | Engine |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | 510 | 13.9 | 0.33 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 6 | Audi Q5 | 553 | 14.1 | 0.33 | Stable | Rising | 19 | Electrical |
| 7 | BMW X3 | 606 | 14.6 | 0.35 | Improving | Rising | 41 | Electrical |
| 8 | BMW X5 | 768 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 42 | Electrical |
| 9 | Acura MDX | 923 | 27.9 | 0.66 | Stable | Rising | 16 | Engine |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 3
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (0) · 2019 (0) · 2020 (0) · 2021 (0) · 2022 (0) · 2023 (0) · 2024 (0) · 2025 (3)
Investigations
- Malfunction Indicator Light / No-Start Closed
In a letter dated July 2, 2023, Aldelberto A. Cordova (the petitioner) submitted a petition requesting that NHTSA initiate an investigation of an alleged defect within the âISG 48-volt on-board electrical system,â which resulted in warning light illumination as well as an inability to start the vehicle in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. ODI reviewed the petition, complaint data in NHTSA's databas…
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLC model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (25.1 complaints per year) and the 2019 model year the lowest (8.9).
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 175% above the 2018 and 2019 models (34 early complaints per model year versus 14). In the last 12 months owners filed 128 complaints versus 101 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz GLC problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (28.6% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.2%) and Interior & equipment (11.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “matic”, “engine light”, “crankcase”, “cylinder head” and “valve”.
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLC compare with other Luxury SUVs?
Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Audi Q7, Lexus NX, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE; Audi Q5, BMW X3, BMW X5 and Acura MDX have more.
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLC have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 3 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (2). 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Malfunction Indicator Light / No-Start” (opened 2023-07-25, closed 2024-05-20).