STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 133 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and fuel system categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 189 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
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2017 | 3 | 38 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 39 |
| Nov 2017 | 3 | 42 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 43 |
| Jan 2018 | 6 | 49 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 50 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 51 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 52 |
| May 2018 | 2 | 54 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 55 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 56 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 57 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 58 |
| Apr 2019 | 2 | 60 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 61 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 62 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 64 |
| Oct 2019 | 2 | 66 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 67 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 68 |
| Feb 2020 | 2 | 70 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 71 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 72 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 73 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 74 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 75 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 76 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 78 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 79 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 80 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 81 |
| Mar 2022 | 3 | 84 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 | 86 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 88 |
| Jun 2022 | 3 | 91 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 92 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 93 |
| Sep 2022 | 3 | 96 |
| Oct 2022 | 3 | 99 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 100 |
| Dec 2022 | 3 | 103 |
| Jan 2023 | 3 | 106 |
| Mar 2023 | 3 | 109 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 110 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 111 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 112 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 113 |
| Nov 2023 | 4 | 117 |
| May 2024 | 2 | 119 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 120 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 122 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 124 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 125 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 126 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 127 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 128 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 130 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 131 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 132 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 133 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine4228.0%
- Brakes2718.0%
- Fuel system2114.0%
- Airbags128.0%
- Electrical117.3%
- Steering74.7%
- Visibility53.3%
- Powertrain (other)53.3%
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
12 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.govSTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified NHTSA that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
On XXX, my 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was serviced at a Mercedes-Benz dealership for a B Service, including replacement of the rear brake pads and sensor. The rear wheel had to be removed to perform this work. On XXX, approximately 7 days later, my wife was driving the vehicle with our [XXX] son and his friend as passengers when the LEFT REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED from the vehicle while in motion on a public road. A truck was approaching from behind. The family narrowly avoided a serious collision. Police responded to the scene and an officer directed traffic while the vehicle was towed. The lug bolts were recovered from the roadway. The dealership's General Manager later asked me to return the lug bolts, which I did. The vehicle required repair of the wheel and hub assembly at a collision center. I was given no written explanation of why the wheel separated. Separately, after the XXX service I noticed a transmission problem that was not present before. On XXX it became dangerous: coming out of stops at traffic lights and stop signs, the transmission would slip into Neutral instead of engaging Drive, and after several attempts would drop directly into third gear with a hard jerk. This creates a serious risk of being unable to accelerate away from a stop in traffic. I documented this on video and provided it to the dealership. No injuries have occurred, but both incidents were near-misses with a high risk of a crash or injury. I am reporting this so the potential defect and the quality of the safety-related service are on record. I have photographs and video from the wheel-separation scene, the transmission video, the service records, and related documentation available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11758634
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2026
Was driving down the highway a the panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof detached a flew off. Other models are included in this same recall but my make and model are not
- NHTSA ID
- 11747561
- Incident
- Jun 25, 2026
The steering tilt motor is stripped and will not move up or down and is stuck in the full "UP" position. Unable to adjust for the driving position.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735596
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
SUNROOF will not closed , refuse to close on my car
- NHTSA ID
- 11696259
- Incident
- Sep 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance, the mechanic noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the fuel injectors had failed and that the fuel rail needed to be replaced. The mechanic provided the contact with information related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); for the fuel rails and fuel injectors. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 60,814.
- NHTSA ID
- 11694113
- Incident
- Oct 17, 2025
- Mileage
- 60,814 mi
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) To whom It May Concern, Complaint through your dealer, regional MB and state AG. Going through MBUSA is a waste of time. You would be better off going to Sears and buying a shiny new hammer and banging your head every hour on the hour. A little over a year ago, I Purchase a previously owned 2016 GLC300 from a local DGDG dealership in San Jose CA. for the past few month, I started experiencing a heavy fuel odor generated from the fuel rail and fuel injectors. I initiated a leak detection to verify the above-mentioned defect. I became aware the Mercedes Benz has a major issue with the fuel rail and fuel injectors that caused a safety & emission recall campaign 2022030003 that is launched to replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors on 139 Model Year 2016-2020 that included my car GLC-class vehicle. To my surprise my car VIN number was not listed and flagged in this campaign. According to the campaign issue, a leak may develop between the fuel line and the fuel injectors due to trapped debris from the production process, which could affect the safety and emissions of the vehicle. according to the documents of the campaign, trapped debris might damage the seal between the fuel rail and fuel injectors, which over the life of the vehicle, might result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment. I informed Mercedes Bens that my vehicle fuel rail line and fuel injectors have shown to have a safety manufacture failure. Leaking fuel from this area might contact hot parts of the engine and therefore the risk of fire cannot be ruled out. It seems that the fuel pressure deviation has exceeded the thresholds because the fuel odor is perceptible to me. I had an appointment with Mercedes Benz of Stevens Creek, and they established that my vehicle VIN number was not affected by the recall even though the defects exist on my vehicle. I reached out to Mercedes Benz USA, LLC and filed case # [XXX] but they elected not to take responsibility to repair my ca INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I
- NHTSA ID
- 11688647
- Incident
- May 6, 2025
Fuel Rail and fuel injectors Leak contacted Mercedes cooperate to investigate why my car. VIN did not list according to campaign no 2022030003 to replace the fuel Ra and fuel injectors and a Ssfety & Emissios recall campaign that covers 139 Model year 2016-2030 that include my vehicle CLC-Class. My car is experiencing fuel injectors defects but my VIN number was not flagged
- NHTSA ID
- 11659257
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the Emissions Center, and the vehicle failed the Emissions test. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved DTC: P052E (PCM has detected an inappropriate degree of pressure from the crankcase pressure sensor). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- NHTSA ID
- 11635618
- Incident
- Dec 21, 2024
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.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Information: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, after completing diagnosis, select the damage code corresponding to the component part that caused the problem. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10-P-067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics. Note: Please do not create TIPS. Please do not replace any components. HU/Hermes SW update / SCN coding will not fix the issue.
POWER TRAIN
Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns. It will also ensure that if a case is necessary, all supporting documentation is available. This should not be used on its own as justification for creating a TIPS case. Cause The root cause will vary depending on the complaint. The goal of this document is to provide diagnostic checks and procedures that may help resolve customer complaints without opening a TIPS case. Remedy Before opening a transmission-related TIPS case, the following steps must be performed to ensure all relevant data has been collected and possible remedies (when applicable) have been performed. Please Note: At minimum, the documents below must be collected before proceeding to ensure the data in its original state when the vehicle arrived is captured. - Initial Quick Test w/ Freeze frame data - VGS Control Unit Log - Initial EEPROM data (.txt format) - IPR Result (if applicable. See LI27.00-P-073124 - Transmission diagnosis using the Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) tool) - Transmission Heath Page If the vehicle has previously been repaired for the same concern, note the date, mileage, and TIPS case or RO number, along with a brief description of the prior work performed. IPR Guidance: The IPR recommended repair should be completed prior to following any steps in this LI and prior to case creation. IPR repairs do not require additional warranty approvals or a TIPS case to validate/confirm the results. To ensure efficient case handling, please avoid opening TIPS cases for this reason. For further information regarding IPR please see the following documents: LI27.00-P-073124 - Transmission diagnosis using the Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) tool Oil Pan Condition Evaluation: In some situations, IPR will advise checking the oil pan condition and determining a repair based on the evaluation. Example photos in Xentry can be found in two ways: • Use the blue hyperlink in the IPR result, and it will take you to the Condition check of transmission oil • Navigate to Xentry Bluebook > Help for control unit > Condition check of transmission oil If a different repair that what is recommended by IPR is performed, attaching photo documentation of the complaint vehicle oil pan and the IPR example to the claim is required. Reproducing the Concern: Proper evaluation of transmission concerns generally requires the condition to be reproducible. It is recommended to compare the vehicle to a similar model, if available, to help determine whether the shift behavior is characteristic of the drivetrain or uncharacteristic for the vehicle. If the concern cannot be duplicated: • A test drive with the customer may assist in understanding and reproducing the complaint. • The vehicle shift quality should be compared to a known-good vehicle with identical drivetrain and model year. • Check Shift Quality History (VGS Control Unit > Adaptations > Shift Quality History) Shift Quality History will show the last 5 noticeable harsh shifts and some of the parameters in which it occurred. You can use this to attempt recreation of the operating conditions and increase likelihood of reproducing the complaint. Complaint A: Shift Quality Note: Certain AMG variants may exhibit more firm and noticeable shift behavior as a normal characteristic. Refer to LI27.60‑P‑075147 for additional information. 1. Perform Valve flushing procedure 2. Perform 5 Torque Converter adaptions in a row - Allow the vehicle to warm up naturally, DO NOT power brake as it will increase the temperature in the torque converter. - After the 5th adaptation, collect a screen shot showing all 5 on one page 3. Perform a standstill adaption - collect a screen shot Recheck vehicle operation. If the concern has not improved, driving adaptations should be performed to target specific gear shifts.
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.