2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
21,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 69 complaints (30.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Engine: 21; Unknown Or Other: 15; Steering: 5; Electrical System: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 51 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2020: 3; 2021: 8; 2022: 8; 2023: 9; 2024: 13; 2025: 20; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 11455199 · 2022-03-04 (March 4, 2022)
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with ignition failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to buy back the vehicle and offered a two-year service plan for a free oil change per year. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461938 · 2022-04-24 (April 24, 2022)
It took a few minutes to be able to completely turn left out of a shopping center while waiting in line. When finally able to turn left, the car stalled into what appeared to be neutral where I had no control to increase speed and was turning very slowly. Oncoming traffic from both ways were coming and luckily stopped on-time. I had to turn off the entire car and restart in the middle of the road in order to be able to drive again. There could've been a massive collision if cars were not paying attention on both sides. Note that the car was NO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418848 · 2021-05-28 (May 28, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that upon driving through an intersection at 40 mph, another vehicle had run a stoplight. The contact swerved in an attempted to avoid the vehicle, however, she had hit the vehicle's rear driver side tire weld. The contact stated that the driver-side airbag did not deploy upon impact; however, the passenger-side airbag, where her mother was seated, did deploy. The Mercedes-Me app automatically called 911 and the contact initially declined medical attention at the time. A police re…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454089 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The dealer was notified of the recall and informed the contact that the recall repair would be performed over-the-air (OTA). The contact then called the manufacturer and was informed that the update was not available; he was informed that there was a waiting list and that he would receive a notification when the update for the vehicle was available. The contact had not experienced a failu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299643 · 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
DRIVING ALONG RANDOM TRAFFIC NO PATTERN, AUTOMATIC BRAKE ASSIST IS TEMPORARILY NOT ACTIVE , BRIGHT YELLOW WORDING, DANGER AUTO BRAKE ASSIST WILL NOT FUNCTION AT THIS TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465447 · 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)
Self driving assist, adaptive cruise , emergency braking assist do not work. Taken to dealer three times , unable to correct. Returned to customer with out paperwork documenting repair of safety systems. Problems are still in I repaired state. Emergency braking system warning message has activated 15-20 times after receiving car back. Other existing problems are still on going as well. Requested District service Manager consult the situation and advise. Love car , want to have repaired . Looking to add additional GLC to household . Hope repair …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311725 · 2020-02-26 (February 26, 2020)
THE VEHICLE WONDERS WITHIN THE LANE WHEN MERCEDES DISTRONIC DRIVER ASSISTANCE IS ACTIVATED, PARTICULARLY ON GENTLE CURVES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WILL HIT LANE BUMPS UNLESS THE DRIVER ACTIVELY STEERS AWAY FROM THE LANE MARKINGS. THE 2020 GLC3004MATIC HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW ON JANUARY 2, 2020. MERCEDES DEALER HAS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND IS NOW DESCRIBING THE VEHICLES BEHAVIOR AS NORMAL. ACCORDING TO MERCEDES THIS IS A NEW DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE IN THE 2020 GLC. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT ACTIVELY …
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534401 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
The first day the car was picked up by us, we turned back and complained about the steering wheel and drivers' seat vibration. They checked it and we were told they cannot find anything. We were told to drive the car for awhile and return it if this complaint persists. We returned it to Okemos Mercedes with the same complaint. They said it is the tires and they replaced the right front tire. I told them I was driving since I was 17 and I know the difference between body and tire problems. We were told to try it again and come back and if …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11651058 · 2025-03-27 (March 27, 2025)
Dear Sirs: I own a 2020 GLC300W Mercedes SUV. As of this date, It has stalled 5 times while driving on the highway and on the roads within an 8 month period. Throughout this period, I have taken the vehicle to the Mercedes dealership in Riverside, CA three times to have this inspected. After their first inspection, the dealership claimed that the problem was due to a recall on a computer software update needed. However, the vehicle stalled two more times while driving on the highway. After the second inspection, the dealership claimed the prob…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11651058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11665281 · 2025-06-06 (June 6, 2025)
•Jan 2025, while the car owner was driving her GLC300, a warning light came on, the car shook and then shut down. AAA tow truck suggested Green’s Garage as an approved nearby repair shop. Car was towed there and repaired for approximately $450.00. •[XXX], late afternoon, the same problem arose but the car did not shut down. The car owner drove the car home and the car was dropped off at Green's Garage (GG) on the morning of May 27. Late that afternoon, GG called us to tell us the problem is not related to the January repair…Even though the symp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11665281 at NHTSA ↗