AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. The maker issued 58 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 58
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Structure: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Putting this car into park will normally automatically set the parking brake. Earlier that day, it did not set the brake. I assumed I must have hit some button or something on my dash to cause that.
No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered severe rusting and corrosion to the rear subframe of the vehicle, near the rear axle area. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired.
2016), around nov 2016, the rotors started making squeaking noise when backing up, so I took to dealer to diagnose. At first, they couldn't find the issue but after reading on the merc forum, I took the car back to dealer (jan.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz glc 300. The contact found nhtsa campaign number: 17v114000 (engine, transmission) pertaining to her vehicle. The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Brakes and brake rotors screech excessively when moving from park, forward or backwards and while braking at stop lights and stop signs. Reported to dealer and mercedes - no action. Concerned that brakes may fail at a critical time or that rotors will be damaged beyond repair and cause failure.
I got my brand new mercedes benz glc 300 two weeks ago. After driving for 6 days & less than 300 miles in total the suv stopped responding abruptly in the middle of highway cruising at a speed of 70 mph with a transmission malfunction error flashing.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,899 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GLC has 5 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (Figure 1) D: After…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) hereby notifies you of additional benefits…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) hereby notifies you of additional benefits…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
- Complaint MBUX head unit display with red text box "System Inoperative"
ONLY for vehicles with SA code (549+21U) or (549+U19). Cause Head unit software variant. Remedy For all chassis use Xentry to update head unit (A26/17). Target boot software number should be either: • 247 904 6600…
- Complaint Load compartment cover generates a creaking noise during driving when pulled out to covering…
Complaint Load compartment cover generates a creaking noise during driving when pulled out to covering position. Cause Aluminum cassette scrapes on the inside of the end cap. The contact point causes creaking noises…
- Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can…
Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon,…
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the…
NHTSA lists 58 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), overheating, coolant loss (13%), rollaway, parking brake (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
NHTSA lists 58 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.