NHTSA (USA)High Risk
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.
This page covers 12 recalls, 131 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300.
24 mpg combined
9.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 cluster most heavily around the engine and brakes. On the engine side, owners frequently report fuel system problems, particularly fuel injector failures and fuel rail leaks that produce a noticeable fuel odor, in several cases discovered during routine service rather than by the driver. The brake complaints describe a range of service brake issues across multiple reports, though no single brake symptom dominates the way the fuel system pattern does. The fuel/propulsion system complaints largely overlap with the injector and fuel rail theme, with owners describing components that needed replacement due to leaks or failure. A recurring frustration in these reports is owners being told their specific vehicle isn't flagged for any known issue despite experiencing what they describe as identical symptoms to other affected vehicles.
131
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 has 12 recalls, the most serious involving wiring in the steering column that can cause the driver's airbag to deploy unexpectedly or the engine to stall without warning.
A separate electrical concern involves the starting current limiter overheating, which can melt surrounding components and start a fire. On the airbag side, a software fault can prevent airbags from deploying correctly in a crash, and on certain early-production vehicles the driver's airbag can deploy on its own. A roof panel bonding issue means the front panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof can detach while driving and become a road hazard; prior repair attempts on some vehicles did not fully resolve the problem. The rear outboard seatbelt latch plates can retract into the interior trim, leaving rear passengers unable to buckle in. The electronic stability control unit on some vehicles may have been damaged before installation, causing the system to activate unexpectedly and alter the vehicle's path, and the electronic parking brake may also fail to engage. Headlights on certain vehicles are misadjusted and may not illuminate the road adequately at night. Two recalls cover the emergency call system, which can send inaccurate location data or fail to reach emergency responders entirely after a crash.
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.
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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 →
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
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 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
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software at no cost.
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 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 low beam headlights may be misadjusted, causing insufficient illumination of the roadway ahead.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the headlamp adjustment and adjust 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.
At a glance
What can fail
Control unit software may be incorrect, potentially preventing airbags from deploying properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the control unit software at no cost to restore proper airbag deployment function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When the engine or transmission won't start, the starter motor keeps trying to turn over. This repeated effort can cause the starting current limiter to overheat.
What the fix does
A dealer will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter motor to protect against overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Electronic Stability Program control unit may have been damaged before installation, affecting vehicle stability control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ESP Hydraulic control units at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the steering column switch module may be incorrectly routed, causing it to chafe. This can lead to unexpected airbag deployment or engine stalling.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harnesses, reroute them correctly, and replace any damaged harnesses at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.