2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and exterior lights. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 57
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 4 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which GLC is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD | 22 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylHybrid | AWD, RWD | 26–28 mpg |
- The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A GLC that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
48V/12V battery no-start
10–1,500 miles
Recurring check engine light
300–4,800 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical231 crash
No-starts, floods of error messages, and both screens going dark while driving dominate these reports. Most involve 48V mild hybrid and 12V battery warnings, plus check engine lights that dealers can't clear or explain. Several stalls clear up only after the car sits for a while. Problems often begin in the first few hundred to few thousand miles. One crash follows a stall at parking speed with a dark instrument cluster. A recall replaces the main fuse box because faulty 80A fuses can cut propulsion or the instrument cluster and carry a fire risk.
Brakes5No crashes
Hard automatic braking on an empty road throws loose items to the floor and risks a rear-end collision. Other complaints cover loud squealing or noise from the brake discs, stops where the vehicle slides as if hit from behind, and an accelerator that stops responding at 40 to 50 mph. Dealers often can't reproduce these faults. Many of these reports also mention repeated warning lights and electrical faults.
Exterior lights5No crashes
Low beams from the Digital Light headlights reach only a short distance and show dark, jagged gaps, which makes unlit roads hard to see. Adaptive high beams drop back to low beam for no visible reason, the beams don't adjust for hills, and the cornering lights don't work. Dealers call this normal and send owners to the manufacturer. Separate failures include condensation fogging the headlamps, a failed leveling sensor that disables adaptive lighting, and low beam error messages with reduced light output.
Body and structure4No crashes
Unprompted opening and closing of the power tailgate is the main complaint, sometimes triggered when someone loading cargo bumps the bumper. The hatch strikes people on the head, and one injury results. Dealers say the problem can't be fixed and the feature can't be turned off without disabling keyless entry. The hatch also opens while the car is parked and unattended, leaving it unsecured. A separate report describes a glass panel between the windshield and sunroof shattering without cause.
Engine3No crashes
Check engine lights appear early, sometimes within a few hundred miles, and return after dealers clear codes and update software. Other complaints describe oil leaking while the vehicle is parked, even though the oil gauge still reads normal. Hesitation, lost acceleration, and poor fuel economy are linked to fuel pump recall 23V456. In those cases owners wait weeks for recall parts while the problem continues, and the manufacturer declines to speed up the repair.
Transmission3No crashes
Engines shut off while driving or refuse to start, showing check engine, 48V battery, and do-not-shift warnings while an alarm keeps sounding. Restarting often works only after an hour or more. Dealers install powertrain control unit software updates. In one case they find a defective 48V hybrid battery, but the manufacturer won't let the dealer replace it, so the owner keeps driving the vehicle as is. Several owners end up stranded or needing a tow.
Steering21 crash
Propulsion cuts out at highway speed. In one night crash with an injury, the digital headlights also fail. Driver aids misbehave too. Traffic sign recognition reads a speed sign meant for an exit and abruptly slows the vehicle on the highway, which raises the risk of being hit from behind. Lane keeping assist lets the vehicle drift out of its lane with no correction, and the dashboard markers stay green.
Automatic emergency braking2No crashes
Sudden full stops with nothing in the path occur at 35 to 45 mph, with no warning light. One event comes while passing a parked vehicle with cruise control on, and the following driver nearly rear-ends the car. Another happens at about 12,000 miles on an access road. Driving returns to normal after a restart. The dealer tows the vehicle for diagnosis, but no repair is made.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints GLC owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Brand new car that had less than 1500 miles on it, one day went to start it while 20 miles away from home and error messages in dash and beeping "48V battery error, do not change transmission position, reduced functionality of driver assistance features...etc." and car would not start, could not turn steering wheel.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Check engine light on, according to Mercedes Benz problem related to 48 V mild hybrid,I took twice car to the dealership ,they can’t reset check engine lights GLC 300 2023 With 3500 miles
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
DIGITAL LIGHT low beam inadequate distance for safe driving on unlit roadway. Low beam has unnecessary blacked out areas causing distraction. Low beams too low, especially driving down hills. Adaptive high beams revert to low beam without any apparent light to trigger camera/sensor. Dealer states they are all the same, nothing they can do, call MB USA. MB USA gave me a case number but do no seem interested in solving the issue
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Check Right low beam error messsage. Beam decreased light output, lightbulb out. Adaptive high beam not working and neither is the intelligent light system/active lights.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
The rear door randomly closes with force unexpectantly. We contacted the Mercedes dealer where the car was purchased and is serviced. They responded it can not be fixed and was an ongoing concern of many owners
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
How the 2023 compares with other GLC years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 GLC years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical238
- Brakes51
- Exterior lights52
- Body and structure42
- Engine39
- Transmission34
Where the 2023 fits in the GLC's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the first model year of the GLC's second generation (2023–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Mercedes-Benz fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (11)
Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V533000SteeringAug 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack.
Risk: A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
25V365000Exterior lightsJun 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The headlights are missing adjustment prevention caps, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. 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: Improperly adjusted headlights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025060005.
25V379000Body and structureJun 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2025 GLC 300, GLC 300 4MATIC, 2024-2025 AMG GLC 43 4MATIC, 2025 GLC 350E 4MATIC, and AMG GLC 63 S E vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. In certain crash scenarios, where the rear occupant's head contacts the C-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.".
Risk: In the event of a crash, insufficient impact protection can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will modify the roof lining and C-pillar trim, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
25V255000ElectricalMay 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, and EQS vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under recall 24V-115. An incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed.
Risk: An incorrect fuse box can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025050003/4.
24V808000SeatsOct 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's and front passenger seat rail may have been incorrectly attached to the vehicle body.
Risk: An incorrectly attached seat may not properly restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the bolt connection and tighten the bolts between the driver and front passenger seat rail and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
24V520000Body and structureJul 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. Certain dashboard area bolts may have been insufficiently tightened, potentially causing improper air bag deployment or parts separation during a crash. In addition, the 12-Volt electric auxiliary heater connections may be loose, possibly causing the electrical wiring to overheat.
Risk: An improper air bag deployment increases the risk of injury in a crash. Overheated wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were August 23, 2024. Owner may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
24V115000ElectricalFeb 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Risk: An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
23V878000Fuel systemDec 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC300, 2024 GLE350, and GLE450 vehicles equipped with an M254 engine. The incorrect screws, installed on the high-pressure fuel pump, may prevent a proper seal from forming between the high-pressure fuel pump and the tandem oil pump.
Risk: An inadequate seal can allow fuel and oil to leak onto the road, creating a hazard for other road users and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a fuel and oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
23V880000Fuel systemDec 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.
23V629000Trailer HitchesSep 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC300 vehicles. The front tow eye may be inadequately threaded to the crossmember and can detach during towing.
Risk: A detached tow eye can separate the vehicle from the tow truck, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front crossmember, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023090010/120002.
23V445000Fuel systemJun 2023
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.
Fix: 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.
Also looking at these instead of a GLC?
Cars shoppers compare with the Mercedes-Benz GLC, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
- BMW X39
- Acura MDX29
- Lexus RX45
- Genesis GV7056
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC57
- Tesla Model Y997
