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U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

231 owner complaints analyzed

16 distinct recall campaigns

14,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 97 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 75 of 231 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior3314.3%
Electrical and battery issues208.7%
Steering behavior146.1%
Transmission and shifting93.9%
Fuel system concerns93.9%
Engine operation73.0%

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.

Engine
75
Unknown Or Other
33
Fuel/Propulsion System
31
Service Brakes
31
Electrical System
26
Air Bags
20
Power Train
12
Seat Belts
12
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine75
Unknown Or Other33
Fuel/Propulsion System31
Service Brakes31
Electrical System26
Air Bags20
Power Train12
Seat Belts12

Engine: 75; Unknown Or Other: 33; Fuel/Propulsion System: 31; Service Brakes: 31; Electrical System: 26; Air Bags: 20; Power Train: 12; Seat Belts: 12

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
57
25,000 to 49,999
19
50,000 to 74,999
13
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00057
25,000 to 49,99919
50,000 to 74,99913
75,000 to 99,9996
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 57; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 134 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.

2016
16
2017
39
2018
25
2019
10
2020
9
2021
14
2022
43
2023
29
2024
23
2025
17
2026
6
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201616
201739
201825
201910
20209
202114
202243
202329
202423
202517
20266

2016: 16; 2017: 39; 2018: 25; 2019: 10; 2020: 9; 2021: 14; 2022: 43; 2023: 29; 2024: 23; 2025: 17; 2026: 6

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 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 10934118 · 2016-12-09 (December 9, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC 300. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10934118 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10935234 · 2016-12-14 (December 14, 2016)

BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAL WHEN BACKING UP AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS, UNTIL IT IS NOW EXTREMELY LOUD. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN IT IS COLD. 3 MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS HAVE ALL SAID IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND TO STANDBY FOR A PERMANENT FIX. STARTED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON CAR, NOW HAVE ABOUT 6500.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935234 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10899666 · 2016-08-30 (August 30, 2016)

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAJOR THREE LANE EACH DIRECTION HIGHWAY IN SUBURBAN IL, WHEN I STARTED TO GO AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGE THE CAR STUTTERED AND TURNED OFF. IT WAS RENDERED COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE RADIO AND WINDOWS WORKED, BUT NO OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKED (E.G. DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK).

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899666 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10958464 · 2017-03-03 (March 3, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10958464 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10882435 · 2016-07-04 (July 4, 2016)

I PURCHASED MY NEW VEHICLE DEC 2015. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES FOR AN ESTIMATED TIME OF 3 TO 4 WEEKS. 1ST MY STEERING MECHANISM LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO MOVE MY STEERGING WHEEL UP OR DOWN. IN OR OUT. THEN, AT THE SAME TIME, MY CAR WAS SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS IN 5TH GEAR, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DROP TO 1ST GEAR. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WHEN THEY HAD THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. NOW, MY ENGINE BLEW. THEY STATED VIA TEXT MESSAGE THAT THE CAM SHAFT BROKE AND PUT A LARGE HOLE I…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882435 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10916712 · 2016-10-18 (October 18, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ GLC 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916712 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10861027 · 2016-04-22 (April 22, 2016)

THREE WEEKS AFTER BUYING THE GLC300 4MATIC THE ENGINE MISFIRES, GOT STRANDED IN AC NEW JERSEY, THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS, THEY REPLACED ALL FUEL INJECTOR/COILS AND IT KEPT HAPPENING, THEN THE FUEL MODULE GOT REPLACED AND IT RAN FINE FOR 4 WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK, GOT STRANDED IN BOSTON, THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (TODAY 4-22-16), I'M PICKING IT UP TOMORROW. I OWN THE CAR FOR 12 WEEKS AND ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT 7 WEEKS, SO DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES BENZ.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861027 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11151231 · 2018-11-13 (November 13, 2018)

ON COLD START (7AM, BETWEEN 60 AND 70F DEGREES), THERE'S A STRONG GAS SMELL ON BOTH THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON OR ANY OTHER INDICATOR OF A FAILURE. THERE'S NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE UNDERHOOD OR MY DRIVEWAY. REALLY SCARED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL UNLESS MB SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, MB DEALERSHIP SHOULDN'T CHARGE FOR THE INSPECTION. TAKING VEHICLE TO EL PASO TX DEALERSHIP. WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11151231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10853024 · 2016-04-01 (April 1, 2016)

STARTER MOTOR FAILURE IN "ECO START" MODE AT INTERSECTION. WAS IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN CAR STALLED AND THREW A CODE. STARTER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FULL. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 1,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS 3 WEEKS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853024 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10872883 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)

MESSAGE: DATE: 06/07/2016: RECENTLY, I PURCHASED A 2016 MERCEDES GLC300 AND WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THE ECO MODE IS THE DEFAULT AND IT HAS TO BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY EACH TIME YOU START THE ENGINE. I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF COMPLETELY. I BELIEVE THIS PRESENTS A HIGH RISK FOR STALLS THAT COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN SEVERE BODILY HARM AND EVEN DEATH. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND WILL START IF ONE PRESSES THE GAS PEDAL. FOR EXAMPLE; WHEN TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION IT IS VERY UNC…

Owner-reported narrative. 16 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872883 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

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.

2016
12
2017
12
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
201612
201712

2016: 12; 2017: 12

Year-by-year records

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
201613312Not available
201798120