Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
27 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 33 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 15.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 9; Engine: 7; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 6; Steering: 4; Wheels: 3; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 9; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11520254 · 2023-05-03 (May 3, 2023)
Hi, Improper gear shifting. Vehicle engine light comes on with Error Code P073E, "reverse gear cannot be engaged" Vehicle would shift gear back into neutral position when put to Drive. When vehicle is able to be put in gear Reverse or Drive, a loud noise and shaking would occur. When driven, vehicle is in Limp Mode and can only go up of Gear 5. (this is a 9G Tronic, 9 gears in total) As I was backing up into street from a parking stall, I was not able to put the vehicle in Drive to proceed forward. Traffic was building up. Driver panicked. But …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11520254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527446 · 2023-06-16 (June 16, 2023)
On May 14, 2023, with a little over 44,000 well-kept miles and under normal driving conditions, my 2018 GLC43 AMG blew smoke out the rear and soon after presented pooling oil under the transmission/engine area. Upon inspection by a reputable transmission repair specialist, AAMCO in Los Angeles, it was determined that the cause of the issue was a broken bolt head in the torque converter, resulting in significant internal damage. The bolt's failure was suspected to be the result of a manufacturing defect, as it is highly unlikely for such a cruci…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066873 · 2018-02-04 (February 4, 2018)
THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST AND/OR LANE BRAKING ASSIST WILL VIOLENTLY MOVE THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED BY DRIVER ONTO ACCESS ROADS THE DRIVER EXPECTS THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOT TO VIOLENTLY TURN ONTO ACCESS ROADS.. IT IS PARTICULARLY UNSAFE ON 75 AND 85 MPH SPEED LIMIT HIGHWAYS. REQUIRES DRIVER TO VIOLENTLY JERK WHEELER BACK TO THE HIGHWAY BEING TRAVELED UPON. CALLS DIRECTLY TO MERCEDES INDICATE NO INTEREST IN THE PROBLEM AND SOFTWARE INVOLVED AND LOCAL DEALERS EITHER WILL NOT SET UP APPOINTMENTS FOR INSPECTION OR/AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455489 · 2022-03-07 (March 7, 2022)
Sometimes after I hit the brake (hard or soft) but need to step on the gas again, the car pauses and does nothing for over a second, making it dangerous if you need to make a turn. Sometimes the car is confused whether to go fast or slow down so it does nothing and does not re-act to the driver pushing the pedal down. This situation can leave the driver in dangerous situations regarding on coming traffic
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165047 · 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)
I PURCHASED A 2019 GLC AMG 43 AS A XMAS GIFT FOR MY WIFE. IT WAS BLACK WITH A VIBRANT BROWN INTERIOR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRONICS(BACKUP CAMERA, BLUETOOTH, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE) WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. HOWEVER, THE EXPLANATION THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE GAVE ME WAS SUFFICIENT AT THE TIME. HE SAID MERCEDES WAS UPDATING THEIR COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE SHOULD BE GETTING AN UPDATE ON JANUARY 2, 2019. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS NOT TRUE! THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE "BRAIN." THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT COMMUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 247 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326592 · 2020-05-30 (May 30, 2020)
A FEW TIMES MY KEY WILL NOT FUNCTION TO START THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. BUT THE DISPLAY ON MY LCD ALSO OFTEN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN ON CAR PLAY. THE STEERING IS JERKED WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS AS THEY SEEM TO GET STUCK ON THE PAVEMENT. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SOUNDS AS IF I AM HITTING SOMEONE. FEELS LIKE IT TOO
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625633 · 2024-11-15 (November 15, 2024)
I regret buying the car. It has a fatal flaw with a steering defect that makes the front wheels easily skip (crabbing suspension) when turning. These should be recalled. Examples 1. [XXX] 2. [XXX] 3. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625633 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 1; 2017: 9; 2018: 10; 2019: 8; 2020: 7; 2021: 7; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1