Mercedes-Benz

GLC-Class (X253)

2016-2022 · Compact SUV ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.3)
599 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
15 Fire Reports
34 Crash Reports
Includes data from: AMG GLC43AMG GLC63GLC-CLASSGLC-CLASS COUPEGLC-CLASS HYBRIDGLC-CLASS PHEVGLC350E
View all 2 generations of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (4.3)
18 complaints 3.6 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
4
safety systems
3
brakes
3
body
3
electrical
3

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (3 complaints)
Brakes Issues (3 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (3 complaints)

M276

3.0L 4-cyl Turbo
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.8)
24 complaints 4.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
5
wheels tires
4
electrical
4
steering
4
engine
4

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (4 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)
Steering Issues (4 complaints)

M274

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 241 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.5)
549 complaints 75.6 per year Gasoline
14 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
180
other
88
electrical
82
fuel system
77
safety systems
63

Known Issues

Engine Issues (180 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (82 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (77 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

M177

4.0L 8-cyl Turbo
โœ… Recommended (4.6)
8 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
4
transmission
3
suspension
1
electrical
1
other
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (184 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (86 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (77 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Safety Systems Issues (66 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Brakes Issues (48 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (12)

24V070000Feb 1, 2024serious
Exterior Lighting

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."

23V445000Jun 25, 2023serious
Fuel System

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.

23V854000Dec 14, 2023serious
Structure

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

22V365000May 19, 2022serious
Electrical System

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.

22V261000Apr 14, 2022serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

21V197000Mar 18, 2021serious
Structure

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

21V354000May 13, 2021serious
Back Over Prevention

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."

21V058000May 1, 2021serious
Electrical System

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.

21V230000Jan 3, 2021serious
Seats

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.

19V914000Dec 19, 2019serious
Equipment

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 GLC 300 4MATIC coupe, AMG GLC 43 Coupe, AMG GLC 43, AMG GLC 63, GLC 300, GLC 350e 4MATIC, GLC300 4MATIC, AMG GLC 63 Coupe, and AMG GLC 63 S Coupe vehicles. The passenger side sun visor may have incorrect air bag warning labels, written in a foreign language. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

19V788000Jan 10, 2019serious
Seat Belts

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E400 Wagon 4MATIC, E400 4MATIC, E43 AMG 4MATIC, 2018-2019 E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E300, E300 4MATIC, GLC63S Coupe AMG 4MATIC, 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E450 Wagon, E53 AMG 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, G550 4MATIC, G63 AMG, GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC, GLC63 AMG 4MATIC, GT63 AMG four-door 4MATIC, and GT63S AMG four-door 4MATIC vehicles. Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as being unfastened, which may cause the electric PRE-SAFEยฎ-function and the pretensioner to be deactivated.

18V838000Nov 26, 2018serious
Air Bags

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C300, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C43 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Cabriolet, C350e Plug-In Hybrid, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG, 2018-2019 GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe, GLC300 4Matic, GLC350e Plug-In Hybrid, GLC43 AMG Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC63 S AMG Coupe, and GLC63 AMG vehicles equipped with Audio 20 head units and automatic child seat recognition. The status of the passenger side air bag may not display correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class problems?

The 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has accumulated 599 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Fuel System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class engine is most reliable?

The 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class a good used car?

The 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 599 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class have?

The 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has 599 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2016-2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Before buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Fuel System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the GLC-Class?

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (18.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 599 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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