RoadVitals

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 1, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, most frequently naming the electrical category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 115 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1100.0%

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

3 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.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

May 1, 2026
144,049 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCManufacturer number 2026050004View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Mar 20, 2026
20 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 AMG GLC43 4MATIC, GLC 300 4MATIC, GLC 300, and GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe vehicles. The center rear seat belts may have been installed without the child seat protection function and fail to lock a child restraint properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and FMVSS number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The risk: In the event of a crash, an insufficiently restrained child has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the center rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 27, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Aug 20, 2025
3,749 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack.
The risk: A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Oct 21, 2026
1 injury reported

While loading grocery bags in the rear compartment the hatch closed on my back without any warning. I had to physically lift it off my back. It did not trigger any release or raise on its own

NHTSA ID
11772688
Incident
Oct 20, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 1, 2026

The MBUX/center display has malfunctioned repeatedly. The enter display suddenly went to completely black on the three separate occasions, and on one additional occasion three times. MBUX system froze and became completely unresponsive. These are four separate incidents, not a one-time occurrence. The failures occurred without warning and the system could not be operated normally. This creates a safety concern because loss of the center display while driving may prevent access to vehicle information, warnings, camera functions, and other functions controlled through the display. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have reported the problem to Mercedes-Benz and requesting dealer inspection and repair. The cause is currently unknown.

NHTSA ID
11768366
Incident
Sep 19, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

OTA- SW. Upd. MBUX3.5

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Issue Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, is launching an OTA update to the subject vehicles to provide an enhanced user experience. This OTA update includes enhancements to the MBUX voice assistant. Remedy MBUSA will conduct an OTA service campaign. Remote software updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the customer’s vehicle free of charge and do not require a dealer visit.

LI32.25-P-079707

SUSPENSION

Complaint Wheezing noises/squeaking noises from the front shock absorbers when passing over surface undulations and rough road. Noise MUST match those heard in the attached videos. Cause • Wheezing noises: Flow noises of the damper oil • Squeaking noises: From the mechanical rubber valve in the dividing piston Remedy In case of complaints, the front shock absorbers must be replaced. If shocks have been replaced and noise persists, please open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, Entertainment inbox.

LI27.60-P-080948

STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Wheezing noises/squeaking noises from the front shock absorbers when passing over surface undulations and rough road. Noise MUST match those heard in the attached videos. Cause • Wheezing noises: Flow noises of the damper oil • Squeaking noises: From the mechanical rubber valve in the dividing piston Remedy In case of complaints, the front shock absorbers must be replaced. If shocks have been replaced and noise persists, please open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, Entertainment inbox.

OTA- Comm. Mod. SW Upd.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Issue A software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of the communication module. The update is free of charge and runs in the background, which takes about 8 minutes to install. During this time, the vehicle can be driven without any restrictions, and the new software will be active with the next ignition cycle. Remedy MBUSA will conduct an OTA service campaign. Remote software updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the customer’s vehicle free of charge and do not require a dealer visit.

LI46.10-P-080896

STEERING

Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.

LI83.90-P-080935

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Complaint CEL illuminates and/or AC does not blow cold. Cause Potentially relevance to hardware and/or software Remedy Scenario 1: 1. If the AC does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number Figure 1 match against Table 1). a. If the compressor does not fall within Table 1, please open a TIPS case. b. Flush procedure must be followed as per WIS. Scenario 2: 1. If AC does blow cold. a. Follow the following procedure: i. Have the air conditioning system recharged. ii. Clear the fault codes afterward. iii. Let the vehicle stand for 8 hours (OBD reset condition). iv. Check whether the fault is still present. b. Open TIPS case with your findings and answers the following questions, send to the HV/LV inbox. i. When exactly did the MIL appeared (immediately at start‑up or while driving). ii. What was the ambient temperature, any special driving maneuvers, and whether the vehicle had just come out of a climate‑controlled garage.

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

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026Viewing230—
2025163061.3
2024218053.3
20235512156.9
2022632058.6
2021689058.1
20207016160.7
20194712167.8
20188712261.8
201710212260.2
201613412260.4

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.