2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GLC 300 years
- More complaints than other years 3rd of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 12 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. That ranks 3rd out of 11 GLC 300 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (28 complaints, 32%), typically at around 6,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 12 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 87owner complaints
- 12safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 32% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 20 | 23% | 323 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 13 | 15% | 6,062 | — | — |
| Structure | 9 | 10% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 9% | 6,600 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 9% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 8% | 14,400 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 7% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 6% | 6,780 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 3% | 62,700 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2% | 10 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 21,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 6,124 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 51,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 1,110 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 recalls (12)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Electrical system:software; communication: auto crash notification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication: auto crash notification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
Communication: auto crash notification; electrical system:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C300, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C43 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Cabriolet, C350e Plug-In Hybrid, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Coupe, C63 S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG, 2018-2019 GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe, GLC300 4Matic, GLC350e Plug-In Hybrid, GLC43 AMG Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC63 S AMG Coupe, and GLC63 AMG vehicles equipped with Audio 20 head units and automatic child seat recognition. The status of the passenger side air bag may not display correctly.
Risk: If the passenger air bag is incorrectly displayed as 'ON' when it is not, a front seat passenger may be unaware that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the audio head unit software, free of charge. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120009.
Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly; structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 and GLC300 4Matic, 2018 GLC350e and GLC63 AMG 4Matic and 2017-2018 GLC43 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The seat belt latch plates (the parts that insert into the buckles) for the outboard rear seats may retract into the interior paneling, preventing the occupants from being able to use the seat belts.
Risk: If the rear seat passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018100002.
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLC300 4MATIC Coupe, GLC300, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, and GLC43 AMG 4MATIC vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The front turn signals may have an incorrect color of pink or violet. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Turn signals that are the wrong color may not be as easily recognized by other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the color of the turn signal, replacing the LED module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 AMG GT, AMG GT C, GLC43 AMG 4Matic, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic and GLC350e 4Matic vehicles. The housing for the driver side air bag inflator may have been made with defective steel. In the event of an air bag deployment, the defective steel may cause the inflator to improperly inflate the driver-side air bag and potentially rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash involving driver air bag deployment, an improperly inflated air bag and/or an inflator rupture with sharp metal fragments might result in serious injury or death to the driver or to occupants.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 29, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Structure:body:roof and pillars; seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly
Problem: Mercedes Benz USA LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 GLC43 AMG, 2016-2018 GLC300 4Matic, 2016-2018 GLC300, 2018 GLC63 AMG 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic vehicles. The seat belt latch plates (the parts that insert into the buckles) for the outboard rear seats may retract into the interior paneling, preventing the occupants from being able to use the seat belts.
Risk: If the rear seat passengers cannot fasten their seat belts, they have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a buffer to the c-pillar paneling, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018030012.
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, and GLC43 AMG vehicles. The fixed panoramic sun roof frontal and side plastic panels may have insufficient bonding, allowing the panels to separate during vehicle operation.
Risk: If the sun roof panels detach from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash or injury for following traffic.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bonding on the sun roof panels, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017110009.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Front Roof Panel Detachment (PE21001) — opened Jan 8, 2021, closed Oct 14, 2021, led to recall 21V197000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Error code P052E71 on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC means the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Regulator Valve Performance has a malfunction, specifically that the partial-load ventilation valve actuator is blocked. By research, i found that this is a very common problem on those engines…
Component Failure: The vehicle is equipped with the M274 2.0L turbocharged engine, which suffered a major internal mechanical defect. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership diagnosed the vehicle at 79,504 miles with a malfunction in the crankcase ventilation system alongside severe internal…
Safety Issue: Infotainment display screen produces scrambled pixels during Apple CarPlay navigation while driving. Description: When Apple CarPlay is connected and navigation is in use, the vehicle's infotainment display screen suddenly produces scrambled pixels, rendering the map and display…
While driving on interstate 4 in Florida with our grandchildren going approximately 70 mph the sunroof on our 2018 Mercedes GLC just exploded no object came into the vehicle and while glass came into the vehiclenot all the glass that made up the sunroof came into vehicle suggesting a pressure issue…
The contact's friend owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the gear shifter independently shifted to neutral(N). No warning lights…
Other Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 years
← 2017 GLC 300 · 2019 GLC 300 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 GLC 300 | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 GLC 300 | 16 | 3 |
| 2024 GLC 300 | 21 | 8 |
| 2023 GLC 300 | 55 | 12 |
| 2022 GLC 300 | 61 | 2 |
| 2021 GLC 300 | 67 | 9 |
| 2020 GLC 300 | 69 | 16 |
| 2019 GLC 300 | 47 | 12 |
| 2018 | 87 | 12 |
| 2017 GLC 300 | 99 | 12 |
| 2016 GLC 300 | 133 | 12 |
See all Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes-Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 28 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
Yes, 12 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GLC 300 model years, the 2018 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.