2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC 300 Complaints and Recall Information

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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.

COMMUNICATION

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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.

SEATS

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.

ENGINE

what happened? While driving, all of sudden, engine light was on and shaky with rough vibration consequently loss of power. I pulled over and turned off engine. Engine light disappeared after restarted. It happened again and had diagnostics at the dealership. Software update was given at first solution. However, next day, engine light on again, visited the dealership and it turned out there are leak on cylinder head. It seems a known issue. there are similar cases where vehicle could have been in critical situation. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The headlights stopped working due to water entering the assembly unit. First one side went out and then eventually the other side went out. The car was brought in to the dealership to fix and they stated it wasn’t covered. I’m recently learning about a recall of this issue with my type of car and I’m being told that my vehicle is not included in the recall.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Have been getting condensate inside vehicle headlights inwhich have cause the headlight to completely not work anymore.. There is no damage to headlight which means to be cause due to a problem with the seal. Checked with local and also statewide Mercedes advisors which was told there isn’t a recall for my vehicle inwhich I looked online and found an recall for vehicles just like the one I have.. Recall number 22V261000-Recall Date 04-14-2022. I’m asking for my vehicle to be inspected and repaired free of charge . Thanks and sorry for the bother - Can’t drive vehicle at night due to headlight malfunction and it’s very unsafe for me and kids and family

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Have been getting condensate inside vehicle headlights inwhich have cause the headlight to completely not work anymore.. There is no damage to headlight which means to be cause due to a problem with the seal. Checked with local and also statewide Mercedes advisors which was told there isn’t a recall for my vehicle inwhich I looked online and found an recall for vehicles just like the one I have.. Recall number 22V261000-Recall Date 04-14-2022. I’m asking for my vehicle to be inspected and repaired free of charge . Thanks and sorry for the bother - Can’t drive vehicle at night due to headlight malfunction and it’s very unsafe for me and kids and family

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Have been getting condensate inside vehicle headlights inwhich have cause the headlight to completely not work anymore.. There is no damage to headlight which means to be cause due to a problem with the seal. Checked with local and also statewide Mercedes advisors which was told there isn’t a recall for my vehicle inwhich I looked online and found an recall for vehicles just like the one I have.. Recall number 22V261000-Recall Date 04-14-2022. I’m asking for my vehicle to be inspected and repaired free of charge . Thanks and sorry for the bother - Can’t drive vehicle at night due to headlight malfunction and it’s very unsafe for me and kids and family

ENGINE

Head problems

ENGINE

In September 2024 my vehicle's engine light came off and the car was struggling to accelerate, especially in highway. I took it to Mercedes Benz of Cincinnati and they acknowledged the fault, made some repairs (under warranty) but the mechanic told us he had already seen quite a few of these cars needing the engine to be replaced. The problem keep coming back and took in in May 2025 (4 months after warranty expired) with the same exact issue. Now they said it is a cylinder head that needs replacement and that it will cost me $10K. This problem has now been reported by several drivers for this model car within less than 5 years of being made. In Canada, the same type of engine has seen same problem so Mercedes extended the warranty for 15 years on the cylinder heads. They need to do the same for the GLC engines and cover our repairs.

ENGINE

Our 2021 Mercedes is 4 years old and had the engine light come on. The vehicle has always been maintenance by Mercedes and well taken care of. The engine had a Cylinder Head Failure which resulted in a $7600 repair for a 4 year old vehicle. Mercedes refused to offer a good will repair. This is A major issue reported in 2015–2016 M274 engine which can lead to catastrophic engine failure 1. These failures often result in loss of power, strange engine noises, and in severe cases, engine seizure. The damage can extend to the cylinder head, especially if broken piston fragments impact the combustion chamber. This is a major risk for all owners of 4 cylinder Mercedes. Mercedes of Canada has already issued an extended warranty but owners of US Mercedes vehicles are left on the hook for the bill and risking their lives while this is a known issue.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I seen a recall for certain 2021 GLC 300 vehicles for moisture in right side headlamp, causing headlamp to blow (go out). This happened on my 2021 GLC 300. Same moisture issue, same year, same model, however, my vin number does not show that it has a recall. I believe this safety issue needs to be expanded to include my vehicle. Same issue, same year, same make and same model

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I seen a recall for certain 2021 GLC 300 vehicles for moisture in right side headlamp, causing headlamp to blow (go out). This happened on my 2021 GLC 300. Same moisture issue, same year, same model, however, my vin number does not show that it has a recall. I believe this safety issue needs to be expanded to include my vehicle. Same issue, same year, same make and same model

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that there was condensation inside the front passenger’s side headlight housing after it had rained. The contact then stated that while driving at night, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V261000 (Exterior Lighting); and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,700.

ENGINE

On [XXX] my GLC 300 AWD while driving back from work started shaking, went into limp mode, engine started misfiring and check engine light came on. Pulled over into a parking and called Mercedes-Benz road side assistance, they sent a tow truck and the car was towed to the Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City. The service department informed us of cylinder head failure and told SUV needs cylinder head replacement that would be covered under the extended Mercedes warranty. As of March 22, 2025 SUV is still at the Mercedes dealer and not fixed. This is the second time in past few months GLC went into limp mode and lost power and acceleration while on road, it was towed to the Mercedes dealer. They initially said they couldn't find anything wrong but later performed an update of engine management software on the recommendation of Mercedes-Benz USA. Car was fixed at that time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE

While driving my vehicle on March 3, 2025 the check engine light came on. Additionally my vehicle began to shake. I was scheduled for a service appointment on March 5, 2025 and told the service department the check engine light need to be addressed. Upon inspection, it was determine the cylinder head needed to be replaced due to a leaking exhaust valve. Estimated cost of $8,818.12. I was devastated and disappointed we had a 2020 Mercedes GLC 300 had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM in 2023. The cost to repair was estimated at $9000!!! How coincidental is that 2 vehicles in the same family have the same problem on newer model vehicles!!!! After researching the web, we discovered that the warranty was extended on the M260 cylinder head however my engine is M264 engine just for RWD cars. Mercedes will not cover it even though this is the 2nd GLC 300 that WE have reported the problem with the cylinder head. They would not even replace the part and we pay for the labor. I am truly disappointed and most likely never be a Mercedes purchaser again. Especially since they cannot stand behind their product. The cylinder head failed and caused my daughter to be placed in harm's way by beginning shaking while driving. This could have caused an accident and put others at risk. This problem has been confirmed by 3 different dealerships on 2 different vehicles( 2020 and 2021 Mercedes GLC 300). It has been inspected by the dealership that confirms it is leaking and needs to be replaced and confirmd it was not the negligence of the driver. There were no warning signs besides the check engine light coming on.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

High beam can't auto dim Fuel pump fail to operate, misfires, and shut down while driving

ENGINE

High beam can't auto dim Fuel pump fail to operate, misfires, and shut down while driving

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

High beam can't auto dim Fuel pump fail to operate, misfires, and shut down while driving

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

While slowly backing out of the driveway and without contacting anything at all, the rear window completely shattered. The window has never been hit by anything and had no defects yet it completely shattered so clearly reflects a manufacturing defect of some sort that is incredibly dangerous to passengers or other vehicles, since it happens without warning and without the necessity of an impact of any kind.