2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 has a Complaint Index of 56 and ranks 5th worst out of 10 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints dominate at 47% of reports, with 9 recall campaigns filed, none requiring a do-not-drive order.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #5 of 10 Glc300 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 66
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine31 (47%)
- Electrical System17 (26%)
- Fuel System12 (18%)
- Other7 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
- Structure & Body3 (5%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
- Lane Departure1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden loss of power and failure to accelerate at various speeds, with the check engine light coming on before the engine resumes normal operation after a restart.
- Owners describe a valve spring breaking shortly after purchase, causing the engine to stall while driving at very low mileage.
- Several owners report fuel lines failing or leaking, with gasoline pooling under the vehicle and, in one case, fuel pouring out from under the hood while driving.
- Owners describe new windshield wipers shattering or moving unevenly in rain, leaving streaks that a dealer said had no permanent fix.
- Some owners report the collision-avoidance system braking hard and unexpectedly when approaching an intersection or changing lanes with no obstacles present.
- One owner reported an oil warning and 'Stop driving' message appearing while driving, with the vehicle found low on oil afterward.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V070000Feb 2, 2024Electrical System15,502 vehicles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 23V445000Jun 26, 2023Fuel System143,551 vehicles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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.
Remedy: 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.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 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.
2021 compared with other Glc300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Glc300 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Glc300 a Complaint Index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst of 10 model years. Engine complaints make up 47% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 7,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Glc300 have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine issues account for 31 complaints, or 47% of all reports for this year, including reports of power loss, stalling, and a valve spring failure at low mileage.
- How many recalls does the 2021 Glc300 have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2021 Glc300, covering electrical system, fuel system, airbags, and structure & body components. None are classified as do-not-drive.
- Which model years of the Glc300 are worse than 2021?
- The 2016 (Complaint Index 100), 2023 (89), and 2022 (78) model years all carry higher Complaint Index scores and Avoid verdicts, making them worse than the 2021 model year.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Glc300?
- EPA rates the 2021 Glc300 at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.