Mercedes-Benz GLC300 years to avoid (and the best years)

313 NHTSA owner complaints and 20 recalls across 5 model years, 2016 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

313complaints
20recalls
15reported crashes
5reported fires
9reported injuries

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC300 years should you avoid?

No Mercedes-Benz GLC300 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes-Benz GLC300 year has 31 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2016 (133) and 2017 (98).

What are the best Mercedes-Benz GLC300 years?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC300 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (23), 2022 (28) and 2023 (31). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2023	31	1.0×	2	0	1	Few red flags	Electrical system
2022	28	0.9×	0	3	1	Few red flags	Fuel system
2021	23	0.7×	2	0	0	Few red flags	Engine
2017	98	3.2×	12	3	2	Some concerns to check	Engine
2016	133	4.3×	12	9	5	Some concerns to check	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 83 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain32 (39%)
Electrical & infotainment22 (27%)
Steering, suspension & tires13 (16%)
Structure & body11 (13%)
Other systems3 (4%)

Recalls (20)

Fuel system · 23V878000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2023
An inadequate seal can allow fuel and oil to leak onto the road, creating a hazard for other road users and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a fuel and oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of a fire.
Structure · 23V854000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2016, 2017
A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V629000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
A detached tow eye can separate the vehicle from the tow truck, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Exterior lighting · 22V261000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2021
Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V230000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2021
Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Structure · 21V197000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2016, 2017
The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V072000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2017
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.
Electrical system · 21V058000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2016, 2017
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2016
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Structure · 18V683000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2016, 2017
If the rear seat passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Structure · 18V177000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2016, 2017
If the rear seat passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 17V819000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
An insufficiently illuminated roadway may increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 17V715000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2017
If the sun roof panels detach from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash or injury for following traffic.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Steering · 17V574000 · Sep 2017 · model year 2017
The improperly welded pins may lose contact, deactivating the power steering assist and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 17V251000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2017
If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2016
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V114000 · Feb 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 16V603000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2016
A damaged ESP control unit may inadvertently activate the stability control altering the vehicle's path. Additionally, the electronic parking brake may not function. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V146000 · Mar 2016 · model year 2016
An unexpected air bag deployment or engine stall increases the risk of a crash.