YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 ranks worst of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 133 complaints, and 12 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 33% of complaints, followed by brakes at 21%.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 10 Glc300 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
133
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
12
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
9
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2025
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21.5 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine44 (33%)
  2. Brakes28 (21%)
  3. Fuel System21 (16%)
  4. Other21 (16%)
  5. Airbags12 (9%)
  6. Electrical System12 (9%)
  7. Steering7 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (5%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain6 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts5 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some engines lose power or vibrate violently at highway speed, with smoke appearing under the hood, in one case leading to an engine replacement.
  • Owners describe brakes that fail to stop the vehicle during low-speed maneuvers, including one case where the vehicle surged forward at 5 mph and crashed into a barn.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a deer strike at 70 mph and a low-speed t-bone collision.
  • One owner reported a burning odor and illuminated check engine light at 40 mph tied to the electrical system.
  • A gear shifter placed in park did not stop the vehicle from rolling and crashing into a wall, according to one complaint.
  • A starter motor failed in 'eco start' mode at an intersection on a vehicle with under 1,000 miles.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 complaints: complaints filed per quarter92016 Q22017 Q32018 Q42020 Q12021 Q32023 Q12024 Q32025 Q4
133 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q4 (9).

2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 recalls

12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 21V058000Feb 5, 2021Other1,292,258 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication: auto crash notification

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

See all 12 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 →

2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Glc300 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid1001331224
2017Caution44981224
2018Caution22871224

All Mercedes-Benz Glc300 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Glc300 ranks worst among the model's 10 years, with a complaint index of 100 and 133 complaints, most tied to the engine and brakes.
What problems does the 2016 Glc300 have?
NHTSA data shows engine issues account for 33% of complaints, brakes 21%, and fuel system 16%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 25,426 miles; for brakes it was 6,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Glc300 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2016 Glc300, covering seat belt latch plates, headlight adjustment, airbag grounding, structure and body panels, and electrical system software.
How does the 2016 Glc300 compare to other years?
The 2016 model has the highest complaint index (100) of all 10 years covered, ranking 1st worst. By contrast, 2019 had a complaint index of 11 and 2025 scored 33 with a Good verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Glc300?
EPA rates the 2016 Glc300 at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.