Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2019 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Wheels
323.1%
Median failure at 20 miles
Steering
323.1%
Median failure at 20 miles
Other & Unspecified
215.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 5,127 mi
Suspension
215.4%
Electrical System
215.4%
Median failure at 133 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 10,008 mi
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2019peak 3Aug 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2019 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE21001Opened 8 Jan 2021Closed 14 Oct 2021STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradati...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 10,008 milesMiami Shores, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2:19 PM ARRIVED POMPANO MERCEDES-BENZ TO PICK UP MY SERVICED VEHICLE ( 10,000 MILE SERVICE). 2:23 PM RETURNED MERCEDES-BENZ LOANER PROVIDED BY DEALERSHIP. 2:30 PM SERVICE ADVISER BRINGS CAR INSIDE THE SERVICE AREA, AND PROVIDES ME A RECEIPT OF THE SERVICE PERFORMED. 2:30 PM I LEAVE THE INSIDE SERVICE AREA AND GO TO DRIVE-THROUGH MC DONALDS (IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS DEALERSHIP). I DID NOT STOP, OR GET OUT OF THE CAR. 2:35 PM I LEAVE THE MC DONALDS DRIVE-THROUGH IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ENTER THE I-95 SOUTH TOWARDS HOME/OFFICE.2:35 PM ' 2:58PM DRIVING I95 SOUTH FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, I CAME TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL WARNINGS OR READINGS FROM THE CAR. I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH ON THE INSIDE, AND GOT OUT AND APPROACHED THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO PULL THE LEVER AND OPEN THE HOOD. I HEARD A 'POP' IN THE ENGINE, AND SMOKE INTENSIFIED, AND WAS GETTING DARKER, SO I BACKED AWAY FROM THE CAR (MOVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD) AND BEGAN FILMING WITH MY PHONE. 2:59 PM I PHONED 911 FEARING A FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF LIQUID DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE, WITH SMOKE GROWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 2:59 PM (AGAIN)I PHONED 911 AGAIN BECAUSE THE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD IS DARKER, AND I TOOK ANOTHER VIDEO WHILE WAITING. AS I WAS CALLING 911, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD, AND INSTANTLY THE FLAMES BECAME HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR. 3:00 PM VIDEO OF CAR FIRE INTENSIFYING AS I STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR (WITH 911 ON SPEAKER AS I REPORT IT'S A FULL FIRE AT THIS POINT). 3:02PM (PHONE TIME STAMP) I RAN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM CAR AND CONTINUED TAKING (2) VIDEOS OF THE INCIDENT. FLAMES HAD MOVED FROM THE ENGINE, TO THE INTERIOR IN THIS SHORT TIME. CONTINUED MULTIPLE VIDEOS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3:13. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11300570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,008 milesMiami Shores, FLFire
ENGINE
2:19 PM ARRIVED POMPANO MERCEDES-BENZ TO PICK UP MY SERVICED VEHICLE ( 10,000 MILE SERVICE). 2:23 PM RETURNED MERCEDES-BENZ LOANER PROVIDED BY DEALERSHIP. 2:30 PM SERVICE ADVISER BRINGS CAR INSIDE THE SERVICE AREA, AND PROVIDES ME A RECEIPT OF THE SERVICE PERFORMED. 2:30 PM I LEAVE THE INSIDE SERVICE AREA AND GO TO DRIVE-THROUGH MC DONALDS (IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS DEALERSHIP). I DID NOT STOP, OR GET OUT OF THE CAR. 2:35 PM I LEAVE THE MC DONALDS DRIVE-THROUGH IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ENTER THE I-95 SOUTH TOWARDS HOME/OFFICE.2:35 PM ' 2:58PM DRIVING I95 SOUTH FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, I CAME TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL WARNINGS OR READINGS FROM THE CAR. I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH ON THE INSIDE, AND GOT OUT AND APPROACHED THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO PULL THE LEVER AND OPEN THE HOOD. I HEARD A 'POP' IN THE ENGINE, AND SMOKE INTENSIFIED, AND WAS GETTING DARKER, SO I BACKED AWAY FROM THE CAR (MOVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD) AND BEGAN FILMING WITH MY PHONE. 2:59 PM I PHONED 911 FEARING A FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF LIQUID DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE, WITH SMOKE GROWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 2:59 PM (AGAIN)I PHONED 911 AGAIN BECAUSE THE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD IS DARKER, AND I TOOK ANOTHER VIDEO WHILE WAITING. AS I WAS CALLING 911, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD, AND INSTANTLY THE FLAMES BECAME HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR. 3:00 PM VIDEO OF CAR FIRE INTENSIFYING AS I STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR (WITH 911 ON SPEAKER AS I REPORT IT'S A FULL FIRE AT THIS POINT). 3:02PM (PHONE TIME STAMP) I RAN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM CAR AND CONTINUED TAKING (2) VIDEOS OF THE INCIDENT. FLAMES HAD MOVED FROM THE ENGINE, TO THE INTERIOR IN THIS SHORT TIME. CONTINUED MULTIPLE VIDEOS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3:13. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11300570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Round Rock, TX
SUSPENSION
The suspension has malfunctioned on a car with only 89,000 miles. Upon starting the car, the vehicle says to please wait while it is rising. However, when I drive it, a red alert says to stop driving because it's too low to drive, and the car looks very low and lopsided. This is a safety concern when driving on the highway and around town. This appears to be an issue on other Mercedes models, such as the 2020 model; please consider 2019 as a year of concern as well.
NHTSA complaint #11757434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elk Grove, CA
WHEELS
I regret buying the car. It has a fatal flaw with a steering defect that makes the front wheels easily skip (crabbing suspension) when turning. These should be recalled. Examples 1. [XXX] 2. [XXX] 3. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11625633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elk Grove, CA
STEERING
I regret buying the car. It has a fatal flaw with a steering defect that makes the front wheels easily skip (crabbing suspension) when turning. These should be recalled. Examples 1. [XXX] 2. [XXX] 3. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11625633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elk Grove, CA
SUSPENSION
I regret buying the car. It has a fatal flaw with a steering defect that makes the front wheels easily skip (crabbing suspension) when turning. These should be recalled. Examples 1. [XXX] 2. [XXX] 3. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11625633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
WHEELS
Whenever I turn my wheels at an angle, there’s a juddering and knocking sound. It feels as if the axle will eventually break. This can pose a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11504807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
STEERING
Whenever I turn my wheels at an angle, there’s a juddering and knocking sound. It feels as if the axle will eventually break. This can pose a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11504807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesRoslyn, NY
WHEELS
A FEW TIMES MY KEY WILL NOT FUNCTION TO START THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. BUT THE DISPLAY ON MY LCD ALSO OFTEN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN ON CAR PLAY. THE STEERING IS JERKED WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS AS THEY SEEM TO GET STUCK ON THE PAVEMENT. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SOUNDS AS IF I AM HITTING SOMEONE. FEELS LIKE IT TOO
NHTSA complaint #11326592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesRoslyn, NY
STEERING
A FEW TIMES MY KEY WILL NOT FUNCTION TO START THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. BUT THE DISPLAY ON MY LCD ALSO OFTEN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN ON CAR PLAY. THE STEERING IS JERKED WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS AS THEY SEEM TO GET STUCK ON THE PAVEMENT. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SOUNDS AS IF I AM HITTING SOMEONE. FEELS LIKE IT TOO
NHTSA complaint #11326592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesRoslyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FEW TIMES MY KEY WILL NOT FUNCTION TO START THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY. BUT THE DISPLAY ON MY LCD ALSO OFTEN DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN ON CAR PLAY. THE STEERING IS JERKED WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS AS THEY SEEM TO GET STUCK ON THE PAVEMENT. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SOUNDS AS IF I AM HITTING SOMEONE. FEELS LIKE IT TOO
NHTSA complaint #11326592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,008 milesMiami Shores, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2:19 PM ARRIVED POMPANO MERCEDES-BENZ TO PICK UP MY SERVICED VEHICLE ( 10,000 MILE SERVICE). 2:23 PM RETURNED MERCEDES-BENZ LOANER PROVIDED BY DEALERSHIP. 2:30 PM SERVICE ADVISER BRINGS CAR INSIDE THE SERVICE AREA, AND PROVIDES ME A RECEIPT OF THE SERVICE PERFORMED. 2:30 PM I LEAVE THE INSIDE SERVICE AREA AND GO TO DRIVE-THROUGH MC DONALDS (IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS DEALERSHIP). I DID NOT STOP, OR GET OUT OF THE CAR. 2:35 PM I LEAVE THE MC DONALDS DRIVE-THROUGH IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ENTER THE I-95 SOUTH TOWARDS HOME/OFFICE.2:35 PM ' 2:58PM DRIVING I95 SOUTH FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, I CAME TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL WARNINGS OR READINGS FROM THE CAR. I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH ON THE INSIDE, AND GOT OUT AND APPROACHED THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO PULL THE LEVER AND OPEN THE HOOD. I HEARD A 'POP' IN THE ENGINE, AND SMOKE INTENSIFIED, AND WAS GETTING DARKER, SO I BACKED AWAY FROM THE CAR (MOVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD) AND BEGAN FILMING WITH MY PHONE. 2:59 PM I PHONED 911 FEARING A FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF LIQUID DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE, WITH SMOKE GROWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 2:59 PM (AGAIN)I PHONED 911 AGAIN BECAUSE THE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD IS DARKER, AND I TOOK ANOTHER VIDEO WHILE WAITING. AS I WAS CALLING 911, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD, AND INSTANTLY THE FLAMES BECAME HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR. 3:00 PM VIDEO OF CAR FIRE INTENSIFYING AS I STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR (WITH 911 ON SPEAKER AS I REPORT IT'S A FULL FIRE AT THIS POINT). 3:02PM (PHONE TIME STAMP) I RAN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM CAR AND CONTINUED TAKING (2) VIDEOS OF THE INCIDENT. FLAMES HAD MOVED FROM THE ENGINE, TO THE INTERIOR IN THIS SHORT TIME. CONTINUED MULTIPLE VIDEOS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3:13. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11300570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,008 milesMiami Shores, FLFire
ENGINE
2:19 PM ARRIVED POMPANO MERCEDES-BENZ TO PICK UP MY SERVICED VEHICLE ( 10,000 MILE SERVICE). 2:23 PM RETURNED MERCEDES-BENZ LOANER PROVIDED BY DEALERSHIP. 2:30 PM SERVICE ADVISER BRINGS CAR INSIDE THE SERVICE AREA, AND PROVIDES ME A RECEIPT OF THE SERVICE PERFORMED. 2:30 PM I LEAVE THE INSIDE SERVICE AREA AND GO TO DRIVE-THROUGH MC DONALDS (IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS DEALERSHIP). I DID NOT STOP, OR GET OUT OF THE CAR. 2:35 PM I LEAVE THE MC DONALDS DRIVE-THROUGH IN THE SAME COMPLEX AS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ENTER THE I-95 SOUTH TOWARDS HOME/OFFICE.2:35 PM ' 2:58PM DRIVING I95 SOUTH FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, I CAME TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL WARNINGS OR READINGS FROM THE CAR. I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH ON THE INSIDE, AND GOT OUT AND APPROACHED THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO PULL THE LEVER AND OPEN THE HOOD. I HEARD A 'POP' IN THE ENGINE, AND SMOKE INTENSIFIED, AND WAS GETTING DARKER, SO I BACKED AWAY FROM THE CAR (MOVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD) AND BEGAN FILMING WITH MY PHONE. 2:59 PM I PHONED 911 FEARING A FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO OF LIQUID DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE, WITH SMOKE GROWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 2:59 PM (AGAIN)I PHONED 911 AGAIN BECAUSE THE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD IS DARKER, AND I TOOK ANOTHER VIDEO WHILE WAITING. AS I WAS CALLING 911, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD, AND INSTANTLY THE FLAMES BECAME HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR. 3:00 PM VIDEO OF CAR FIRE INTENSIFYING AS I STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR (WITH 911 ON SPEAKER AS I REPORT IT'S A FULL FIRE AT THIS POINT). 3:02PM (PHONE TIME STAMP) I RAN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM CAR AND CONTINUED TAKING (2) VIDEOS OF THE INCIDENT. FLAMES HAD MOVED FROM THE ENGINE, TO THE INTERIOR IN THIS SHORT TIME. CONTINUED MULTIPLE VIDEOS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3:13. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11300570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 247 milesLong Beach, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PURCHASED A 2019 GLC AMG 43 AS A XMAS GIFT FOR MY WIFE. IT WAS BLACK WITH A VIBRANT BROWN INTERIOR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRONICS(BACKUP CAMERA, BLUETOOTH, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE) WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. HOWEVER, THE EXPLANATION THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE GAVE ME WAS SUFFICIENT AT THE TIME. HE SAID MERCEDES WAS UPDATING THEIR COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE SHOULD BE GETTING AN UPDATE ON JANUARY 2, 2019. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS NOT TRUE! THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE "BRAIN." THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT COMMUNICATES WITH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OUR VEHICLE?YES! WE WERE SOLD A VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT READY FOR PRODUCTION. IT'S UNSAFE, AND RATHER THAN BEING OFFERED ANOTHER COMPARABLE VEHICLE FOR BEING SO NEGLIGENT AND INCONVENIENCING ME AND FAMILY, THE GENERAL MANAGER HAS AVOIDED SPEAKING WITH US ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH MERCEDES USA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AT ONE POINT OF THE TRANSACTION WE WERE ASKED TO POSSIBLY CONSIDER TAKING THE REFURBISHED VEHICLE BACK AFTER ITS REPAIRS. NONE OF THESE GUYS MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD TAKE A VEHICLE THAT THEY BOUGHT BRAND NEW AFTER IT HAS HAD MAJOR SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS IS MERCEDES LONG BEACH SICK IDEA OF WORLD CLASS SERVICE! TO ADD SALT TO THE WOUND, IT'S NOW BEEN OVER 3 WEEKS AND WE MUST MAKE A CAR PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT SITS IDLE WAITING FOR MISSING COMPONENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS WILL BE THE LAST MERCEDES MY FAMILY AND I WILL PURCHASE
NHTSA complaint #11165047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 247 milesLong Beach, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A 2019 GLC AMG 43 AS A XMAS GIFT FOR MY WIFE. IT WAS BLACK WITH A VIBRANT BROWN INTERIOR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRONICS(BACKUP CAMERA, BLUETOOTH, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE) WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. HOWEVER, THE EXPLANATION THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE GAVE ME WAS SUFFICIENT AT THE TIME. HE SAID MERCEDES WAS UPDATING THEIR COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WE SHOULD BE GETTING AN UPDATE ON JANUARY 2, 2019. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS NOT TRUE! THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS MISSING THE "BRAIN." THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT COMMUNICATES WITH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OUR VEHICLE?YES! WE WERE SOLD A VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT READY FOR PRODUCTION. IT'S UNSAFE, AND RATHER THAN BEING OFFERED ANOTHER COMPARABLE VEHICLE FOR BEING SO NEGLIGENT AND INCONVENIENCING ME AND FAMILY, THE GENERAL MANAGER HAS AVOIDED SPEAKING WITH US ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH MERCEDES USA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AT ONE POINT OF THE TRANSACTION WE WERE ASKED TO POSSIBLY CONSIDER TAKING THE REFURBISHED VEHICLE BACK AFTER ITS REPAIRS. NONE OF THESE GUYS MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD TAKE A VEHICLE THAT THEY BOUGHT BRAND NEW AFTER IT HAS HAD MAJOR SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS IS MERCEDES LONG BEACH SICK IDEA OF WORLD CLASS SERVICE! TO ADD SALT TO THE WOUND, IT'S NOW BEEN OVER 3 WEEKS AND WE MUST MAKE A CAR PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT SITS IDLE WAITING FOR MISSING COMPONENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS WILL BE THE LAST MERCEDES MY FAMILY AND I WILL PURCHASE
NHTSA complaint #11165047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.