2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class holds 99 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most GLC-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Photo by Chanokchon, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

99

Per year

9

Recalls

0

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 99), then Electrical system (15) and Structure (11). Those filings include 5 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 GLC-Class has 115 complaints, 10 per year, and the 2019 has 69 complaints, 4 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (99 total)

Engine
32
Electrical system
15
Structure
11
Powertrain
10
Fuel and propulsion system
8
Seat belts
8
Air bags
7
Service brakes
6
Forward collision avoidance
3
Speed control
3
Steering
3
Visibility and wipers
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Exterior lighting
1
Lane departure
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Suspension
1
Visibility
1
Wheels
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

5

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

13201872019620202202110202230202317202410202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Error code P052E71 on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC means the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Regulator Valve Performance has a malfunction, specifically that the partial-load ventilation valve actuator is…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-30
  • "Component Failure: The vehicle is equipped with the M274 2.0L turbocharged engine, which suffered a major internal mechanical defect. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership diagnosed the vehicle at 79,504 miles with a…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-06-03
  • "Safety Issue: Infotainment display screen produces scrambled pixels during Apple CarPlay navigation while driving. Description: When Apple CarPlay is connected and navigation is in use, the vehicle's infotainment…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-04-21
  • "While driving on interstate 4 in Florida with our grandchildren going approximately 70 mph the sunroof on our 2018 Mercedes GLC just exploded no object came into the vehicle and while glass came into the vehiclenot all…"
    Structure · filed 2026-03-10
  • "The contact's friend owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended,…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-12-31

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe SUV RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class PHEV SUV RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV 4WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

X253, 2016–2022
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-30 full synthetic (MB-approved; common US GLC300 fill) , 5.5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/60R18 to 255/45R20 (trim-dependent; GLC300 pages)

Known issues for this generation

For 2017 GLC300 vehicles, NHTSA campaign 18V-683 covers certain 2016-2018 GLC300 and GLC300 4Matic vehicles (with GLC350e, GLC43, and GLC63 variants): rear seat-belt latch plates may be difficult to fasten; dealers install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling. Campaign 21V-197 covers certain 2016-2020 GLC300 vehicles among many other Mercedes models for front-panel adhesive that may deteriorate; dealers reinstall the panel with approved materials. Confirm open campaigns by VIN under trim strings such as GLC300.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class holds 99 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most GLC-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 99), then Electrical system (15) and Structure (11). Those filings include 5 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 GLC-Class has 115 complaints, 10 per year, and the 2019 has 69 complaints, 4 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Owners have filed 99 complaints about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class with NHTSA.

What oil does a Mercedes-Benz GLC take?

5W-30 full synthetic meeting Mercedes-Benz approvals is common for US GLC300 fills on X253 and X254 — confirm the engine sticker and MB sheet.

What does NHTSA campaign 18V-683 cover on early GLC300?

Certain 2016-2018 GLC300 and GLC300 4Matic vehicles (with GLC350e, GLC43, and GLC63 variants): rear seat-belt latch plates may be difficult to fasten; dealers install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling.

When did the X254 GLC generation start in the US?

Model year 2023 on this site (after X253 2016-2022).