NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 16 recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300.
Engine-related complaints make up the largest share of what 2020 GLC 300 owners report, with multiple accounts describing oil consumption issues, stalling, and in at least one case premature oil pump failure at relatively modest mileage. A few owners describe rough or inconsistent running that appears intermittently and without warning. Exterior lighting is the next notable cluster: owners repeatedly report moisture and condensation building up inside the headlight assemblies, which several say eventually causes the headlight or turn signal to stop functioning entirely. The same condensation pattern shows up on both driver and passenger sides. Back-over prevention also draws a handful of complaints, though the reported symptoms there are less consistent across accounts. The headlight moisture issue stands out for how consistently owners describe the same progression, water intrusion, fogging inside the lens, and eventual electrical failure of the assembly.
66
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has 16 recalls, the most serious involving three separate fire risks: a damaged power steering wiring harness that can short-circuit, loose turbocharger oil line fittings that can leak oil onto hot engine components, and fuel injector seals that can leak.
The power steering wiring harness issue can also cause a sudden loss of steering assist, making the vehicle harder to control. On the structural side, a front roof panel can detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard; this applies both to vehicles as originally built and to those that received a prior repair that may not have held. The driver's front airbag module may not be properly secured and can fail to deploy correctly in a crash, and loose side crash sensor connectors can delay airbag and seatbelt activation in a side impact. The left-rear seatback latch may not hold against cargo loads in a crash, allowing the seatback to swing forward. The automatic emergency braking system may also fail to apply braking as expected.
Several recalls involve visibility and crash notification. The rearview camera can display a black screen or fail entirely due to software faults. Headlights on certain vehicles may aim too high and create glare for oncoming drivers. Three separate recalls cover the emergency call system, which can fail to connect to emergency services or report the wrong vehicle location after a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Headlights may be aimed too high, creating glare for drivers in oncoming vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealer will inspect and adjust headlight aim as needed at no cost.
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 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
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Manufacturing debris may be trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, potentially causing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side crash sensor connectors may loosen, potentially delaying airbag and seatbelt activation during a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side impact crash sensors as needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to go black or restart after startup, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you can receive the update over-the-air, at no cost.
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 power steering control unit wiring harness may have been damaged during manufacturing, potentially causing loss of power steering assist or an electrical short-circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screws holding the turbocharger oil feed and return lines may not be tight enough, which could cause oil to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the turbocharger oil lines and tighten the screws as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left-rear seatback latch may be too weak to hold under load. If cargo strikes the seatback, the latch could fail and the seat could unlatch.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left-rear seatback latch at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical circuit in the Emergency Call System communication module may be damaged, causing the system to send an inaccurate vehicle location during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the communication module at no cost to restore accurate location transmission.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side front airbag module may not be properly bolted down, potentially causing it to move or detach during deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace 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
A software error in the radar sensor control unit may reduce or disable the Active Brake Assist system's ability to function properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.