2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

Typical pattern

8.3% of complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (23 complaints), typically at 5.6 yr or about 30,000 miles.

Covers 1 variant: GLC 300 (90)

Complaints: 96
Median age at failure: 4.4 yr
Median mileage: 25,000 n=20
Crash / fire / tow: 12.5% of reports
Safety recalls: 10

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V070000 2024-02-02

Exterior lighting:headlights

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."

Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V854000 2023-12-15

Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V365000 2022-05-20

Electrical system:software

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.

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.

22V232000 2022-04-08

Back over prevention:display function

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V961000 2021-12-13

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

21V527000 2021-07-12

Air bags:sensor:side impact

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.

Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

21V354000 2021-05-14

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

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 Visibili

A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

21V197000 2021-03-19

Structure:body:roof and pillars

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 sunro

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.

21V072000 2021-02-12

Communication

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 (eCa

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.

21V058000 2021-02-05

Electrical system:software

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.

Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

In owners’ own words

Other 500 mi 1.3 yr in service

THE AUDIBLE TIC-TOK SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS WAY TOO SOFT. THE SOUND IS SUPPOSED TO GIVE ONE NOTICE THAT THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON. IT SIMPLY ISN'T LOUD ENOUGH TO PROVIDE THAT FEEDBACK. CONSEQUENTLY I OFTEN FIND THAT I'M DRIVING DOWN THE STREET HAVING COMPLETED A HALF-TURN ( ONE WHERE IT DOESN'T TRIGGER A SHUT OFF) WITH MY TURN SIGNAL ON FOR BLOCKS BEFORE I NOTICE THAT THE TURN BLINKER IS STILL ON.

Other mileage not reported 1.5 yr in service

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN TO THE COMMUNICATION MODULE TO COMMUNICATE THE CORRECT VEHICLE'S LOCATION FOR THE EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, LOCAL DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT RESOLVE. COPY OF RECALL NOTICE ATTACHED - SEE BELOW.

Other 6,000 mi 1.5 yr in service

RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ (NHTSA RECALL #21V058) AND HAVE TRIED TO SCHEDULE WITH DEALER ON SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THE REPAIRS COMPLETED AND THEY CONTINUE STATING THEY CANNOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS

Engine 30,000 mi 2.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow

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.

Other GLC model years

How to read this

This is what owners reported, not a reliability rating. People file with NHTSA about alarming failures, not routine ones, and complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold.
Failure ages come from the incident date on each complaint, populated on about 83% of records. Mileage is shown where reported — NHTSA’s 2021 system change cut mileage capture to roughly 15%, so it thins out sharply after MY2020.
Every rank compares this vehicle only against others of the same model year. A 2025 car has not had time to accumulate five-year failures, so comparing early-failure share across years is meaningless.
Fourteen make-months distorted by media storms and mass recalls — Toyota in February 2010 ran 11× normal volume across 33 models — are excluded.
Recalls are manufacturer actions and authoritative; complaints are not. A recall listed here may already have been performed on any individual car. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

In owners’ own words

Other GLC model years

How to read this