FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 195 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 2 months of data.
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical125.0%
- Engine125.0%
- Powertrain (other)125.0%
- Suspension125.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govCOMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
This 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG has experienced repeated and escalating warranty defects involving engine performance, loss of acceleration, air suspension failure, and now inoperative advanced safety systems including blind spot and active brake assist. Despite numerous repair attempts at authorized dealerships, including extensive engine teardown and cylinder head replacement, the manufacturer has been unable to permanently repair the vehicle. The car has been out of service for 145 cumulative days to date and continues to exhibit safety-related failures. It is currently back at the dealership for service. The vehicle therefore qualifies as a lemon and the owner seeks statutory relief in the form of a buyback and compensation. Please see the attached invoices for additional details and timeline below. Service Repair Timeline 2023 ● Air suspension diagnostics & component replacement Dec 5, 2023 (1 day) Invoice #160689 2024 ● Loss of acceleration ● Vehicle enters limp mode ● Fuel pressure sensor replaced ● Multi-day service hold ● Recurrent suspension malfunction ● "Do not drive over 50 mph" warnings ● Valve block / fuse / compressor diagnostics ● Check Engine Light ● Rough running ● Misfire cylinder 2 ● Ignition coils, plugs, injector replaced ● Vehicle held for extended diagnostics ● Compression loss discovered ● Valve seat damage ● Cylinder head removal & replacement ● Extensive engine teardown ● Vehicle out of service 103 consecutive days March 22, 2024-March 29, 2024 (8 days) Invoice #162719 March 29, 2024-April 11, 2024 (14 days) Invoice #162840 April 28, 2024-May 1, 2024 (4 days) Invoice #163306 May 2, 2024-August 12, 2024 (103 days) Invoice #289050 August 21, 2024-August 30, 2024 (8 days) Invoice #292684 August 28, 2024 (1 day) Invoice #292920 October 8, 2024 (1 day) 2026 ● Recurrent warnings ● Check Engine Light ● Blind Spot Assist inoperative ● Active Brake Assist limited ● Recurrent suspension malfunction (3rd time) ● "Do not drive over 50 mph" warning
- NHTSA ID
- 11725180
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance, and the contact was informed that there was an issue with the ignition coil. There was a misfire coming from the engine. The dealer determined that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 2021070006. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11697988
- Incident
- Oct 27, 2025
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership. Why the Warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2018 - 2024 A / C / CLA / CLS / E / G / GLA / GLB / GLC / GLE / GLS / GT / S / SL Mercedes-Benz vehicles, under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("MIL"). Any repairs under this warranty extension must be performed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. • If your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership performs a diagnosis and confirms that your vehicle has the issue, the repair will be covered under this extended warranty and performed at no cost to you. • This extended warranty does not apply to any other components or conditions beyond the ones mentioned above, and standard warranty terms apply, including the exclusions with respect to extra expenses, as identified in the Service and Warranty Information booklet.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.
ENGINE
Complaint Oil leaks found on M176 or M177 engines diagnosed to be from the cylinder head cover area Cause Unknown (under investigation) Remedy If oil leaks are found at left or right cylinder head cover area please collect the following information and open TIPS case. 1. Collect photos of the leak 2. Include close up and wide view photos to accurately represent the location 3. Include if the vehicle has a "check oil level" Light on in the cluster or fault codes 4. Check oil level as per WIS to verify level and calculate possible oil loss from the leak 5. Identify and communicate the severity of the leak and provide supporting documentation 6. Open a TIPS case with the above information and submit to the Powertrain team for processing
ENGINE
Complaint Customer reports Check Engine Light with possible loss of power concern. The Following DTC's are present • P210185 - The throttle valve actuator has a malfunction. There is a signal above the permissible limit value. • P213500 - The values from the position sensors of the throttle valve are implausible relative to each other • P213600 - The values from position sensors "A/C" of the throttle valve are implausible relative to each other • P210B85 - The throttle valve actuator 2 has a malfunction. There is a signal above the permissible limit value. • P2AD300 - The values from the position sensors "A/G" of the throttle valve are implausible relative to each other • P2AD200 - The values from position sensors "B/G" of the throttle valve are implausible relative to each other. Cause Increased electrical resistance in pins for left and right throttle actuators. (M16/60 and M16/61) Remedy Replaced left and right throttle actuator Sockets with updated part. Silver Coated Pins 8x A 003 982 70 26 (according to wiring diagram 0,5mm) Gold Coated Pins 4x A 003 982 75 26 (according to wiring diagram 0,75mm) ELA Seals 12x A 001 545 50 80
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.