2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure225.0%
- Brakes225.0%
- Driver assistance225.0%
- Electrical112.5%
- Powertrain (other)112.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The glass panel between the windshield and the sun roof shattered spontaneously
The rear door randomly closes with force unexpectantly. We contacted the Mercedes dealer where the car was purchased and is serviced. They responded it can not be fixed and was an ongoing concern of many owners
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal felt as if it had released, and the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle skidded or slid and felt like it had been rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the infotainment system was inoperable intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact merged to the right lane to be able to pull over as necessary. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure had recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2023 GLC300 suffered a severe, unprovoked emergency brake deployment in traffic, nearly causing a pileup. on [XXX]. The car has only 14,500 miles and has a chronic history of dangerous, unprovoked Active Brake Assist deployments. It broke down twice in its first month of ownership for other reasons, slammed on the brakes during a left-hand turn last year, nearly causing an accident and on [XXX] executed a violent, full-lock emergency stop from 25mph in light traffic with no obstacles in sight, nearly causing a multi-car pileup and putting me thru the windshield. The car was towed to MB of Boston in Somerville under factory warranty on [XXX]. I have refused to drive this hazardous and unsafe vehicle, the Dealer did a quick factory update and an a clean erase of the following code, Code B229BF9, but I have refused to take it back util they have proven to me that this dangerous issue has been fully resolved, I am a [XXX] with a perfect driving record and I frequently drive this car on the highway and I am very fearful the car will do it on the highway which would be catastrophic to me and other motorists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The issue is regarding the “Traffic Sign Assist” (Owner’s Manual page 221) feature of the Adaptive Cruise Control System. Vehicle will be made available if requested. The function of the "Traffic Sign Assist" is to monitor roadside "Speed Limit" signs and the cruise control will increase or decrease speed to stay within the permissible legal speed limit. The system worked except occasionally it would change the indicated permissible speed limit on the instrument display when there is no corresponding roadside speed limit sign and the permissible speed limit for that stretch of roadway is unchanged. When this happens, suddenly and abruptly, the vehicle display would indicate a "phantom" Higher or Lower Speed Limit sign and rapidly and abruptly accelerate or decelerate. Again there were no roadside signs posted indicating a higher or lower speed limit! The risk is potential for rear end collisions from or to other traffic due to the abrupt acceleration or deceleration. when we returned home from a 4556 mile road trip, we took the vehicle to the Mercedes dealer for routine service and mentioned this to the Service Advisor. He indicated that when this defect is reported their solution is to deactivate the system. I don't feel this is adequate since another driver could reactivate the system through the settings. It has not been inspected by anyone except the dealer. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms before the display changed and the vehicle abruptly accelerated or decelerated.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle skidded or slid and felt like it had been rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the infotainment system was inoperable intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact merged to the right lane to be able to pull over as necessary. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure had recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle skidded or slid and felt like it had been rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the infotainment system was inoperable intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact merged to the right lane to be able to pull over as necessary. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure had recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .