NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has 12 recalls, the most serious involving the driver airbag inflator, which can rupture during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, with the risk of serious injury or death.
A separate airbag concern involves the inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag without a crash occurring, which itself raises the risk of injury and loss of vehicle control. The passenger airbag system also has a recall: a sensor display can incorrectly show the front passenger airbag as active when it is not, leaving an occupant unprotected in a crash without knowing it. On the structural side, the adhesive bonding on the front roof panel can deteriorate or fail, allowing that panel to detach and become a road hazard; a related recall covers cases where a prior repair of that same panel was not completed correctly, with the same detachment risk. The fixed panoramic sunroof's plastic side and front panels can also separate from the vehicle while driving. The rear outboard seatbelt latch plates can retract into the interior trim, making it impossible for rear passengers to buckle in. The vehicle's emergency call system has several recalls covering scenarios where it may fail to connect with emergency services or may send responders to the wrong location after a crash. There is also a recall for LED-equipped vehicles where the front turn signals can display an incorrect pink or violet color rather than the required amber, making them harder for other drivers to recognize.
At a glance
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may have been improperly bonded during a prior repair, causing the panel to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front roof panel at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may not be properly bonded to the vehicle from a previous repair, risking separation.
What the fix does
The dealer will remove and replace the front roof panel using proper bonding materials and procedures at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side air bag status may not display correctly on the instrument cluster in certain 2018-2019 C-Class and GLC-Class vehicles with Audio 20 head units.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the audio head unit software at no cost to correct the air bag status display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt latch plates on the outboard rear seats may retract into the interior paneling, making the seat belts unusable.
What the fix does
Dealers will install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling to prevent the latch plates from retracting.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front turn signals may display pink or violet light instead of the required amber color, failing to meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the turn signal color and replace the LED module if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-side air bag inflator housing may be made from defective steel. During deployment, this defect could cause the inflator to fail to properly inflate the air bag and potentially rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt latch plates on the outboard rear seats may retract into the interior paneling, making the seat belts unusable.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a buffer to the c-pillar paneling to prevent the latch plates from retracting.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The plastic panels on the panoramic sunroof may not be bonded securely enough, which could cause them to separate while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the sunroof panel bonding and correct it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.