RoadVitals

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
13
Latest Nov 6, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC, 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

  • Airbags316.7%
  • Engine316.7%
  • Body & structure211.1%
  • Visibility211.1%
  • Fuel system211.1%
  • Brakes211.1%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Driver assistance15.6%
  • Electrical15.6%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Airbag front message

NHTSA ID 11697823 · filed Nov 6, 2025

I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND REARENDEAD ANOTHER CA. HOWEVER MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID 11360138 · filed Sep 21, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE THE LEASE PURCHASE IN 2017. THE GLC300 HAS BEEN IN SERVICE ON A QUARTERLY BASES FOR THE BRAKES (CONSTANT SQUEAKING MAKING FEEL UNSAFE) AND NOW A CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS THE 4TH VEHICLE I LEASE AND BY FAR THE WORST. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA ASKING THEM FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT A USED OR LOANER CAR BUT THE ONLY THING THEY OFFERED WAS $1000 TOWARDS MY NEXT VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, THE VEHICLE IS BACK IN SERVICE FOR THE 7TH OR 8TH TIME. I AM HOPING SOMEONE CAN HELP OR AT LEAST PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE. I HAVE ATTACHED ALL PAPERWORK FOR YOUR REVIEW. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11170903 · filed Jan 19, 2019

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2017 MERCEDES GLC 300 SUV CAUGHT RANDOMLY ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ON THE SIDE.THEN WHILE ON THE PHONE DESCRIBING THE SITUATION TO THE SERVICE GUY; I SAW THE FIRE AND SMOKE ENTERED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND I GOT OUT AFTER A LITTLE BIT CAUSE THE CAR HAD NO POWER TO OPEN DOORS OR DO ANYTHING! I THINK THE PROBLEM WAS WITH ELECTRICITY! I WANT THE CAR NO MORE! I WILL RETURN IT BACK!

NHTSA ID 10954561 · filed Feb 14, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ID 11328810 · filed Jun 14, 2020

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2017 MERCEDES GLC 300 SUV CAUGHT RANDOMLY ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ON THE SIDE.THEN WHILE ON THE PHONE DESCRIBING THE SITUATION TO THE SERVICE GUY; I SAW THE FIRE AND SMOKE ENTERED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND I GOT OUT AFTER A LITTLE BIT CAUSE THE CAR HAD NO POWER TO OPEN DOORS OR DO ANYTHING! I THINK THE PROBLEM WAS WITH ELECTRICITY! I WANT THE CAR NO MORE! I WILL RETURN IT BACK!

NHTSA ID 10954561 · filed Feb 14, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, suddenly there was a loud sound and vibration coming from the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that sections of the panoramic roof had separated and dislodged from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA recall campaign number 21V197000 (Structure) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

NHTSA ID 11417939 · filed May 20, 2021

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN OAKLAND, CA. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR - NO RAIN AND APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUNSHOT AND OUR PANARAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED. AT THE TIME, WE HAD A CARGO BOX ON TOP OF THE CAR (ON A FRAME THAT WAS NOT TOUCHING THE SUNROOF) SO IT IS UNLIKELY ANY PROJECTILE COULD HAVE HIT THE CAR. THE CARGO BOX WAS STILL AFFIXED TO THE CAR AND SECURE AFTER THE INCIDENT. IT WAS NOT AN EXTREME TEMPERATURE, NOR WAS THERE ANY EXTREME WEATHER (RAIN, SNOW, HAIL) AT THE TIME. THERE WERE NO UNDERPASSES NEARBY. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS CAUGHT BY THE SUNSHADE, BUT IF WE HAD THE SUNSHADE OPEN, THE GLASS WOULD HAVE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID 10949946 · filed Feb 6, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL LINE LEAK: THE TEMPERATURE IN S. FLORIDA HIT A LOW OF 45 DEGREES TONIGHT ON 1 DEC 2020, FIRST NOTING THE ISSUE DESCRIBED. UPON RETURN HOME FROM AN 8 MILE TOTAL TRIP TO THE STORE, MY DAUGHTERS EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. UPON INVESTIGATION MYSELF, I FOUND GASOLINE POOLING BEHIND THE ENGINE WHERE THE MAIN FUEL LINE CONNECTS TO A RUBBER HOSE. THE POOLING WAS ON THE REAR OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE COVER AS ALSO DESCRIBED BELOW. SIMILAR CASE FOUND ONLINE: HTTPS://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/THREADS/GASOLINE-LEAK.2936569/ "THERE IS A FUEL LEAK WHERE THE STEEL LINE FROM THE TANK CONNECTS TO A RUBBER HOSE NEAR THE FIREWALL. THERE IS APPARENTLY A REVISED FUEL LINE CONNECTOR AVAILABLE, NO RECALL AS YET. THIS JOINT IS APPARENTLY PART OF THE LOW-PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM (4 BAR), NOT THE HIGH-PRESSURE SIDE (200 BAR)."

NHTSA ID 11377402 · filed Dec 1, 2020

FEED LINE TO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LEAKING TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING ODOR WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER (VEHICLE STATIONARY). HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME BUT SIMPLY DID NOT CONNECT THE DOTS.

NHTSA ID 11298138 · filed Jan 9, 2020

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE THE LEASE PURCHASE IN 2017. THE GLC300 HAS BEEN IN SERVICE ON A QUARTERLY BASES FOR THE BRAKES (CONSTANT SQUEAKING MAKING FEEL UNSAFE) AND NOW A CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS THE 4TH VEHICLE I LEASE AND BY FAR THE WORST. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA ASKING THEM FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT A USED OR LOANER CAR BUT THE ONLY THING THEY OFFERED WAS $1000 TOWARDS MY NEXT VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, THE VEHICLE IS BACK IN SERVICE FOR THE 7TH OR 8TH TIME. I AM HOPING SOMEONE CAN HELP OR AT LEAST PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE. I HAVE ATTACHED ALL PAPERWORK FOR YOUR REVIEW. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11170903 · filed Jan 19, 2019

REFER TO 2016 GLC-300 COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCREECHING SERVICE BRAKES AND COPY/PASTE COMPLAINTS HERE. 2017 MODEL HAS THE SAME SCREECHING NOISES AND CAR WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2016. GOING SLOWLY IN REVERSE OR FORWARD FROM COLD START WILL CAUSE LOUD SCREECHING NOISES. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE CONFRONTED ME ABOUT THE CAR NOISES. IT'S ABSURD THAT THE DOCUMENTED ISSUES FROM THE 2016 MODEL CONTINUES IN THE 2017 MODEL. DEALERS ARE AWARE AND HAVE SAID APPLYING BRAKE PASTE DOES NOT HELP. A LARGER FIX IS STILL IN THE WORKS. THE NOISE IS ALSO MAKING US ATTEMPT TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITH AS LITTLE BRAKING AS POSSIBLE. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES THE SCREECHING WILL MOSTLY STOP. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER OCCASIONS WHEN IT HAS NOT--LIKELY DUE TO WET OR COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. AS OF 12/29/2016, DEALER IS SAYING A NEW FIX MAY BE COMING 1/5/2017. I AM HOPEFUL BUT WEARY AND WILL PROCEED WITH LEMON LAW PROTOCOLS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10938545 · filed Dec 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION(VARIOUS SPEED, 1 TIME AT HIGHWAY, 2 TIMES LOCAL STREETS), THE FASTEN SEATBELT LIGHT AND AUDIBLE WARNING CAME ON. ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, THE SEATBELT TENSIONS (PULLS). THE DRIVER SEATBELT WAS FASTENED THE WHOLE TIME WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ID 11326513 · filed May 29, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT TOWARD HIGHWAY 287 AT 65M SPEED, THERE WAS NO SNOW NO RAIN NORMAL TRAFFIC NO CARS CLOSE TO ME, ALL THE SUDDEN ESP INDICATOR WENT OFF, ACCIDENT COLLISION PREVENTION INDICATOR WENT OFF ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE SPEED WENT DOWN TO 30M, 20M AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE SPEED BACK, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING. I PULLED OVER CALLED ROAD ASSISTANCE, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, START AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AT 20 - 30MILE, WHEN I ENTERED HIGHWAY 46 ON THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL, I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, UNTIL THE CAR START TO DRIVE AGAIN UP TO 25M. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WORKSHOP, THEY WAS FAULTS IN THE SENSOR AND GAS PEDAL THEY FIXED.. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AFTER ONE WEEK CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WENT OFF AGAIN. TOOK IT AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP WORKSHOP. I CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS REAL SAFETY ISSUE WHERE ALL THE SUDDEN YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE SPEED ANYTIME ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID 10949829 · filed Feb 6, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2017 MERCEDES GLC 300 SUV CAUGHT RANDOMLY ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ON THE SIDE.THEN WHILE ON THE PHONE DESCRIBING THE SITUATION TO THE SERVICE GUY; I SAW THE FIRE AND SMOKE ENTERED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND I GOT OUT AFTER A LITTLE BIT CAUSE THE CAR HAD NO POWER TO OPEN DOORS OR DO ANYTHING! I THINK THE PROBLEM WAS WITH ELECTRICITY! I WANT THE CAR NO MORE! I WILL RETURN IT BACK!

NHTSA ID 10954561 · filed Feb 14, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT TOWARD HIGHWAY 287 AT 65M SPEED, THERE WAS NO SNOW NO RAIN NORMAL TRAFFIC NO CARS CLOSE TO ME, ALL THE SUDDEN ESP INDICATOR WENT OFF, ACCIDENT COLLISION PREVENTION INDICATOR WENT OFF ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE SPEED WENT DOWN TO 30M, 20M AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE SPEED BACK, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING. I PULLED OVER CALLED ROAD ASSISTANCE, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, START AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AT 20 - 30MILE, WHEN I ENTERED HIGHWAY 46 ON THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL, I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, UNTIL THE CAR START TO DRIVE AGAIN UP TO 25M. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WORKSHOP, THEY WAS FAULTS IN THE SENSOR AND GAS PEDAL THEY FIXED.. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AFTER ONE WEEK CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WENT OFF AGAIN. TOOK IT AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP WORKSHOP. I CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS REAL SAFETY ISSUE WHERE ALL THE SUDDEN YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE SPEED ANYTIME ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID 10949829 · filed Feb 6, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .