Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
665 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, model years 2016 to 2026. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2016 (engine 3.3×). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 134 | engine 3.3× | 12 | |
| 2017 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 102 | — | 12 | |
| 2018 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 87 | — | 12 | |
| 2019 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 47 | — | 12 | |
| 2020 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 70 | — | 16 | |
| 2021 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 68 | — | 9 | |
| 2022 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 63 | — | 2 | |
| 2023 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 55 | — | 12 | |
| 2024 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 21 | — | 8 | |
| 2025 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 16 | — | 3 | |
| 2026 GLC 300FEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 · Mercedes-Benz C 230 · Mercedes-Benz C 250 · Mercedes-Benz C 300 · Mercedes-Benz C 320 · Mercedes-Benz C 350 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz E 300 · Mercedes-Benz E 320 · Mercedes-Benz E 350 · Mercedes-Benz E 500 · Mercedes-Benz E 550 · Mercedes-Benz GL 450 · Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 · Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 · Mercedes-Benz ML 320 · Mercedes-Benz ML 350 · Mercedes-Benz Metris · Mercedes-Benz R 350 · Mercedes-Benz S 430 · Mercedes-Benz S 500 · Mercedes-Benz S 550 · Mercedes-Benz S Class · Mercedes-Benz SL 500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: