2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GLC 300 years
- About as many complaints as other years 5th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. That ranks 5th out of 11 GLC 300 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (30 complaints, 45%), typically at around 7,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 67owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 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 | 30 | 45% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 19% | 66,850 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 15% | 90 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 4% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 4% | 10 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 3% | 19,369 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 3% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 3% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 25,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
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.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic, and AMG GLC 43 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connection for the headlights may not be watertight, which can result in headlight failure.
Risk: Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022050005.
Air bags:sensor:side impact
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Risk: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
Seats; seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Risk: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the blind spot assist detection feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the contact confirmed that the blind spot assist feature was enabled. In addition, the…
I own a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The vehicle developed moisture/condensation in the headlamp, and the affected headlamp subsequently failed. I took the vehicle to RBM of Alpharetta, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. I was advised that corrosion was found in the affected headlamp and that…
My vehicle is experiencing moisture intrusion caused by a defective headlight housing seal. The water intrusion has resulted in a short circuit and failure of the turn signal module within the headlamp assembly. I am aware of NHTSA Safety Recall 22V-261, which addresses a substantially similar…
My 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is not currently included in NHTSA Recall 22V-261 / Mercedes-Benz Campaign [redacted], but my vehicle is experiencing substantially the same defect described in that recall. Moisture/water entered the left headlamp assembly/electrical connection, resulting in…
The vehicle is experiencing an intermittent, sudden, and life-threatening drop into "limp home mode" while driving, creating an severe speed differential with surrounding traffic.First Incident (50,584 miles): The vehicle entered limp mode. Authorized Mercedes service center scanned the car…
Other Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 years
← 2020 GLC 300 · 2022 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 | 67 | 9 |
| 2020 GLC 300 | 69 | 16 |
| 2019 GLC 300 | 47 | 12 |
| 2018 GLC 300 | 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
Owners most often report engine, exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 30 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 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 2021 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.