50 of the
609 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GLC 300
are about the fuel system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2022.
My 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (17,700 total miles) suffered a catastrophic structural engine block failure and an explosive loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds. This occurred exactly 6 days and 183 miles after a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealership performed the official fuel pump impeller safety recall (NHTSA Campaign 23V-445).The dealership's official repair invoice documents that the technician custom-modified the recall remedy by reusing parts, explicitly stating: 'Relocated floater from old pump onto new fuel pump.' Simultaneously with the mechanical engine failure, a 'Reduce Engine Oil Level' message flashed on the dashboard, indicating severe fuel dilution from the compromised fuel system.The dealership is actively violating federal recall mandates by refusing to investigate this failed safety remedy unless I sign an open-ended financial check for a diagnostic and teardown fee. They have also revoked my substitute transportation to coerce payment. Mercedes-Benz USA Corporate Case Number 23652724 has been opened. I am requesting a federal safety investigation into this dealer's non-compliant recall remedy execution."
NHTSA complaint #11755637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had my car for almost two years. This problem has been on-going the whole time. It happens intermittently, I never know. I will be driving it and usually when I am making a turn or pulling onto a main road, you press the gas to go and the car hesitates and makes a loud brooooooooom sound like it is trying to go or figure out what to do and if you are pulling out onto a main road with on comming traffic, this is dangerous. We have seen information that on the 2019 and 2018 GLC300's this has been documented, my car is a 2020 but it's the same thing. It's like the car hesitates and slows down when it should go!
NHTSA complaint #11737705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving back to my house in york, PA. My car all the sudden changed the gear from “D” to “N”. My gas meter was showing 106 miles. my didn’t give sign or alert before it shifted the gear from D to N. I was driving on highway and this was major safety concern as I could have hit by cars coming on highway speed. We had this similar incident last year as well but we were at traffic light stopped so we didn’t realize that time that car shift the grear by itself. Once we fill the gas, we were able to drive back home but it was scary and big safety concern that car doesn’t give any notification or alert for low fuel and change gear all the sudden.
NHTSA complaint #11731548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost power and was pulled over and restarted. The contact was almost involved in several crashes due to the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, where the fuel pump, charcoal filter, and other various parts of the fuel pump were repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the cylinder head would be replaced free of charge. The contact believed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failures. The vehicle was not repaired, and a loaner vehicle was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11721373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In July 2023, I entered into a lease agreement for a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC SUV (VIN: [XXX]). From the outset, the vehicle suffered from recurring mechanical failures. It required service visits on August 10, 2023; March 25, 2024; July 26, 2024; September 20, 2024; and October 7, 2024. The final incident on [XXX], involved a fuel pump failure that caused the vehicle to stall in traffic, placing me in a terrifying situation where another driver, enraged and armed, threatened me while I waited for a tow truck. Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the vehicle was inoperable and issued a replacement lease on October 15, 2024 VIN [XXX]. However, this second vehicle also proved defective. Within two weeks, it was back in the shop for service. Since then, it has required repairs on December 24, December 31, 2024, and again on May 28, 2025, including another engine stall that posed a serious road safety threat. Despite my good faith efforts to resolve the matter, Mercedes-Benz, via their claims processor Sedgwick, is attempting to charge me $12,873.52 in negative equity, in addition to fees for Prepaid Maintenance and 4N1 Assurance Protection, as part of their settlement offer. These charges are both inappropriate and unlawful under the principles of lemon law and consumer protection. Request for Relief: •Immediate release from the lease agreement without penalty. •Refund of all payments made toward both defective vehicles. •Full waiver of any negative equity or ancillary product charges. •Any civil penalties deemed appropriate by your office against Mercedes-Benz USA and/or Sedgwick. I have already filed a complaint with the NHTSA (ID Number: 11665555) As I feel as though my safety is in imminent danger driving this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11670954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has been diagnosed with a valve seat failure. This requires a full cylinder head replacement. I purchased this vehicle brand new and have driven it with care, putting approximately 60,000 mostly highway miles on it. Throughout my ownership, I have exclusively used the service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. Despite my efforts to maintain this vehicle properly, the vehicle began exhibiting misfire issues just outside of the warranty period. The check engine light would flash on and off during a misfire and it presented multiple codes. I returned to a Mercedes-Benz dealership, where I was told the issue is an internal mechanical failure, worn or leaking valve seats requiring full cylinder head replacement with an estimated repair cost of $7,800. Upon researching this issue, I've learned that Technical Service Bulletins exist for this exact failure, and other owners with M264-series engines have experienced identical symptoms and failures. This misfire could happen at anytime, requiring me to stop the vehicle almost immediately. It could cause a dangerous situation in heavy traffic areas with fast moving traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11667722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On May 22, 2025, while parked, my 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 spontaneously caught fire, completely destroying the vehicle. Thankfully, no one was inside, and no injuries occurred, but the property damage was significant. I later discovered Recall 21V961000 / Campaign 2022030003 affecting some 2019 GLC300s for fuel leaks at the fuel rail/injector interface, which pose a serious fire hazard. Further research has shown reports of loose ground connections in these vehicles as well, increasing the risk of sparks igniting leaked fuel. Given that my vehicle caught fire spontaneously and matches the defect described in this recall, I firmly believe this incident was related to that defect. Mercedes-Benz has not provided adequate assistance. The vehicle was towed to a local dealership (Plaza Mercedes-Benz), but they refused to accept it, adding further confusion and hardship. I am submitting this report to request that NHTSA fully investigate this issue and work to ensure that Mercedes-Benz USA takes responsibility for this vehicle defect and compensates me for this dangerous failure. I am happy to provide photos, tow reports, or further documentation if needed. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring public safety.
NHTSA complaint #11666424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dear Sirs: I own a 2020 GLC300W Mercedes SUV. As of this date, It has stalled 5 times while driving on the highway and on the roads within an 8 month period. Throughout this period, I have taken the vehicle to the Mercedes dealership in Riverside, CA three times to have this inspected. After their first inspection, the dealership claimed that the problem was due to a recall on a computer software update needed. However, the vehicle stalled two more times while driving on the highway. After the second inspection, the dealership claimed the problem was due to a bad throttle actuator and charged me $2000 for the repair. Two months later, the vehicle stalled on the road once again. Currently, the dealership is inspecting the vehicle for a THIRD time. I have viewed your NHTS website and came across NHTSA campaign number: 23V445, Problem Description: 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." I believe this is the cause of my 2020 Mercedes doing the exact same thing, however the 2020 model is not listed in this recall. Please investigate this as this may be fuel pump issue applies to 2020 models.
NHTSA complaint #11651058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Safety was at risk when the gears switched to neutral while I was driving in car with my children. A recall was completed when bought car was not aware of fuel pumps recall issue. Says completed repair but the car is still having issues and was sold to me without telling me about the recall. First appeared about a week ago. Making a ticking noise, losing power when accelerating.
NHTSA complaint #11633770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle lost motive power struggling to produce enough power to propel itself on a slight incline. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign 23V880000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car has software issue putting drivers at risk until the update is provided. Response to problem from manufacturer is to drive the car or wait until such time as a solution is developed. this is the 3 issue in less than a year the car's fuel uptake system is interrupted putting drivers at risk when pulling out into traffic or needing normal acceleration expected from a normally functioning car. How long will Mercedes get away with this before someone is killed
NHTSA complaint #11623589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The error code is P052E and it is a PCV Code Crankcase Ventilation Oil Separator. It's a time-consuming and expensive repair that seems to be regularly occurring on a lot Mercedes Benz that have this installed. And it happens often on cars with under 50K miles on them and when it's just been out of warranty this is a small inexpensive part that the customer funds through the cost of labor. Not that mechanics don't deserve their labor costs, but Mercedes ought to fix this is issue as it is borne by the consumer of a high end vehicle for a consistent, faulty part that they have engineered.
NHTSA complaint #11589246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car failed to accelerate due to faulty fuel pump, fuel tank, etc. Car stopped and died several times in the middle of heavy traffic. Mercedes Benz of West Houston, Sewell Dealership, has my car that was towed to them late afternoon on 3/5/2024. I have owned a Mercedes for over 40 years and never had this occur or be scared due to the car’s lack of performance.
NHTSA complaint #11576098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.