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2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, most often about the engine (32% of complaints, typically around 21,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Glc 300 model year since 2000 and has 12 recalls.

Complaints133
Recalls12
Crashes reported9
Fires reported2
Injuries reported5

Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 problems

  1. Engine

    42 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.

    I purchased my new vehicle dec 2015. I have had it in the shop 2 times for an estimated time of 3 to 4 weeks. 1st my steering mechanism locked up and wouldn't allow me to move my steerging wheel up or down. In or out. Then, at the same time, my car was shifting erratically. It would feel like it was in 5th gear, and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 14,000 miles
    Since we purchased this car in december 2015, we have had a series of electrical and engine problems that do not seem to fixable by the dealer. The car was serviced (3 years or 30,000 miles) consumer also had issues with faulty radar sensor, power control unit, engine light, and faulty crankcase vent system.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 27,852 miles
  2. Brakes

    27 complaints · 20%

    Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles.

    The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300. While driving and depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard a squealing noise coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 6,000 miles
    Brakes started to squeal when backing up at slow speeds. This progressively got worse over a couple of months, until it is now extremely loud. It seems to be worse when it is cold. 3 Mercedes-Benz dealers have all said it is a known issue and to standby for a permanent fix. Started at about 5,000 miles on car, now…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 5,000 miles
  3. Fuel system

    21 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles.

    When I start my car there is strong gas odor in the cabin for the first 3-4 hours of driving. Also there is a moldy smell in the warmer months as well
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 28,000 miles
    Leakage in fuel system ( high pressure pump). On Glc 300. Gas small inside the car. Company denied investigating or providing my refund for repair. I feel this is totally safety failure of the vehicle . So my current mileage is 32908 and it is 2016 model. I bought this vehicle because the company claims for its…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 32,900 miles
  4. Other or unspecified

    21 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.

    Since we purchased this car in december 2015, we have had a series of electrical and engine problems that do not seem to fixable by the dealer. The car was serviced (3 years or 30,000 miles) consumer also had issues with faulty radar sensor, power control unit, engine light, and faulty crankcase vent system.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 27,852 miles
    When I start my car there is strong gas odor in the cabin for the first 3-4 hours of driving. Also there is a moldy smell in the warmer months as well
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 28,000 miles
  5. Air bags

    12 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.

    The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz glc300. The contact stated he placed the gear shifter in park while engine was running however vehicle rolled across the street and crashed into a stone wall. The contact opened the driver's side door however, vehicle failed to stop. There were no reported injuries or fire. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 29,000 miles
    The contact owned a 2016 Mercedes-Benz glc300. While driving west bound on a four lane road at 35 MPH, a pick up truck on the north side turned. Another truck was blocking the driver's visibility when the pick up truck turned across the four lane highway. As a result, the contact's vehicle t-boned the pick up truck.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 22,000 miles
  6. Electrical

    11 complaints · 8%

    I was stopped at a red light on a major three lane each direction highway in suburban il, when I started to go after the light change the car stuttered and turned off. It was rendered completely inoperable. The car would not shift into neutral. The radio and windows worked, but no other electrical components worked…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 7,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz glc300. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle as the check engine warning light illuminated the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 10,000 miles
  7. Steering

    7 complaints · 5%

    I purchased my new vehicle dec 2015. I have had it in the shop 2 times for an estimated time of 3 to 4 weeks. 1st my steering mechanism locked up and wouldn't allow me to move my steerging wheel up or down. In or out. Then, at the same time, my car was shifting erratically. It would feel like it was in 5th gear, and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 14,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz Glc 300. The contact stated that the steering wheel vibrated excessively. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed however, there was no remedy determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 2,500 miles
  8. Transmission

    6 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: automatic transmission.

    The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz glc300. The contact stated he placed the gear shifter in park while engine was running however vehicle rolled across the street and crashed into a stone wall. The contact opened the driver's side door however, vehicle failed to stop. There were no reported injuries or fire. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 29,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 recalls

  1. Body and structure: roof and pillars

    NHTSA 23V854000 · December 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  2. Body and structure: roof and pillars

    NHTSA 21V197000 · March 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  3. Infotainment and connectivity: auto crash notification

    NHTSA 21V058000 · February 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  4. Infotainment and connectivity: communication

    NHTSA 19V787000 · November 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Mbusa has initiated an over the air (OTA) remote update. Mbusa will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began december 23, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2019120008.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (ecall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2019/rmisc-19v787-4620.pdf

  5. Seat belts: buckle assembly

    NHTSA 18V683000 · October 1, 2018 · 4,702 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  6. Seat belts: buckle assembly

    NHTSA 18V177000 · March 15, 2018 · 121,858 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  7. Lights: headlights

    NHTSA 17V819000 · December 18, 2017 · 8,134 vehicles

    Risk: An insufficiently illuminated roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp adjustment, adjusting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on january 12, 2018. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016-2017 glc300, glc300 4matic and glc43 4matic vehicles. These vehicles may have misadjusted headlights, possibly resulting in the low beam headlights insufficiently illuminating the roadway. 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."

  8. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 17V627000 · October 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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 wago

  9. Electrical: software

    NHTSA 17V177000 · March 14, 2017 · 51 vehicles

    Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began april 21, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016 amg gt-s, glc300, cla250 and gle300d 4matic vehicles, 2013 c250, e350 bluetec and g63 amg vehicles, 2008-2014 c300 vehicles, 2013-2014 c300 4matic and ml350 4matic vehicles, 2009 c350 vehicles, 2014 cls550, e350 4matic, e350 coupe 4matic, e350 wagon 4matic, glk350 and sl550 vehicles, 2012 cls550 4matic vehicles, 2012-2016 e350 vehicles, 2016-2017 gl450 4matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ml350 4matic bluetec vehicles, 2015 s550, s550 4matic and c300 4matic sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 c300 sedan vehicles, and 2017 sl63 amg vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

  10. Electrical: starter assembly

    NHTSA 17V114000 · February 23, 2017 · 307,629 vehicles

    Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began august 31, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2017080002.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2015-2017 c300 4matic, c300, cla250, cla250 4matic and cla45 amg vehicles, 2017 c300 4matic cabrio, c300 4matic coupe, c300 cabrio, c300 coupe, e300, e300 4matic, e400 4matic wagon, e43 amg 4matic, gla250, gla250 4matic and glc300 4matic coupe vehicles and 2016 c350e and glc300 vehicles and 2016-2017 c450 4matic amg sport and glc300 4matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.

  11. Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 16V603000 · August 16, 2016 · 62 vehicles

    Risk: A damaged esp control unit may inadvertently activate the stability control altering the vehicle's path. Additionally, the electronic parking brake may not function. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the esp hydraulic control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in october 2016. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2016 glc 300 SUV, glc 300 4matic SUV, c300 sedan and c300 4matic vehicles manufactured february 8, 2016, to may 18, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an electronic stability program (esp) control unit that may have been damaged before being installed.

  12. Electrical: wiring

    NHTSA 16V146000 · March 10, 2016 · 888 vehicles

    Risk: An unexpected air bag deployment or engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harnesses, properly rerouting them as necessary. Any damaged harnesses will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on april 22, 2016. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2016 glc 300 vehicles manufactured june 16, 2015, to november 3, 2015, and 2016 glc 300 4matic vehicles manufactured july 16, 2015, to november 3, 2015. The steering columns in the affected vehicles may have the wiring harness for the switch module incorrectly routed. As a result, the harness may chafe and the air bag may unexpectedly deploy or the engine may stall.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (42 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles); brakes (27 complaints, typically around 5,500 miles); fuel system (21 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 have?
12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 15, 2023 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz Glc 300?
It is the most complained-about Glc 300 model year since 2000, with 133 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 years

Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 problems by year