2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
26,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 64 complaints (46.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 8 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
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 | 30 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
Engine: 30; Exterior Lighting: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Power Train: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 52 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2021: 11; 2022: 6; 2023: 4; 2024: 13; 2025: 18; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11399796 · 2021-03-08 (March 8, 2021)
I HAVE PURCHASED THE 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC 300 4MATIC COUPE AND NOTICED A DESIGN FLAW ON THE CAR. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PICTURE, THE FRONT BUMPER PROVIDES NO PROTECTION TO THE RADIATOR. IT HAS ALREADY STARTED CHIPPING DUE TO THE ROCK DAMAGE. THIS CAN LEAVE THE CAR IMPAIRED ON THE FREEWAY WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS. I DID CONTACT THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399841 · 2021-03-08 (March 8, 2021)
THERE IS AN EXISTING ISSUE FOR MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES. SERVICE CAMPAIGN #2019040010. HOWEVER, IT ONLY INCLUDES 2019 MODELS. I PURCHASED A 2021 GLC MODEL AND IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE OF NOT HAVING THE PROTECTION ON FRONT RADIATOR. LOOKS LIKE MERCEDES-BENZ DIDNT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND KEPT MAKING VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DEFECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11399841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404535 · 2021-03-29 (March 29, 2021)
2021 MERCEDES GLC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VALVE SPRING FAILURE AND STALLED ENGINE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VALVE SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE GROSSLY UNDER ESTIMATED IT'S ARRIVAL TIME. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA BUT, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED AN ADDRESS BEFORE SENDING THE TOW TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD TO WALK THE STREET TO FIND AN ADDRESS ON A HOME. THE CONSUMER FELT THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 199 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413885 · 2021-04-26 (April 26, 2021)
ON APRIL 21, 2021 AT ABOUT 1800 (TIME), LESS THAN 45-HOURS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE NEW 2021 GLC 300 VEHICLE, THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION (ENGINE) MISFIRED AND ABRUPTLY MALFUNCTIONED WHILE IN STEADY ACCELERATION AT 65-MPH. MY FAMILY AND I WERE HEADED EASTBOUND ON THE CA-60 FREEWAY IN LANE THREE (LEFTMOST, FASTEST LANE). AS SOON AS THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPUTTERED, IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED AND INTENSELY SHOOK THE ENTIRE CAR VIGOROUSLY, AGGRESSIVELY, AND CONTINUOUSLY WITH NO ABILITY FOR CONTROL NOR FOR THE OPTION TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE THREE…
Owner-reported narrative. 90 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421117 · 2021-06-16 (June 16, 2021)
Fuel line malfunctioned, car stopped , gasoline was pouring out from under the hood. I was "lucky" that it did not catch fire, fire department showed up, closed the street, car was towed, dealership " replaced high-pressure line of fuel system high pressure pump". It all started without a warning, suddenly after about 1 month of driving ( 1000 miles) a brand new Mercedes GLC300.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421457 · 2021-06-19 (June 19, 2021)
Entered parked vehicle and noticed very strong gas fumes. Vehicle would not start. Looked under the vehicle and noticed very large quantity of gasoline on the ground. Vehicle was towed to Mercedes dealership in Rochester, Michigan. Diagnosis was an incorrectly installed fuel line bracket. New bracket was installed and problem was corrected.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424052 · 2021-07-09 (July 9, 2021)
Excessive frame rust, the pictures I included are all the patches that have been done to the frame so far.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424110 · 2021-07-09 (July 9, 2021)
On day zero when I bought the car, it was raining. The new car wiper was shattering or making bumpy movements. It was not cleaning the heavy rain water or it was spotty. The Mercedes mechanic told it is a known issue and there is no permanent fix. They just changed the wiper blade and put solvent on windshield which may be good for few days/weeks and need to take the car everytime, I have this issue till I have warrantee. This is very annoying and safety issue in Houston rainy season. It can happen anytime in the middle of busy road and under r…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424110 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V058000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V072000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Communication
Reported: 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V230000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Seats
Reported: 2021-04-01 (April 1, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V354000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2021-05-14 (May 14, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V527000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact
Reported: 2021-07-12 (July 12, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Consequence: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V261000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2022-04-15 (April 15, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic, and AMG GLC 43 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connection for the headlights may not be watertight, which can result in headlight failure.
Consequence: Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022050005.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V365000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V445000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-06-26 (June 26, 2023)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V070000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2024-02-02 (February 2, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗