The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC is associated with 78 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 18 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 16 reports (21% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 24 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 68 MPGe (25 MPG on gasoline) with up to 22 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC belongs to the 1st generation (X253/C253) GLC platform spanning model years 2016–2023.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 78 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 18 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (16 / 21%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 2 fire / 2 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 18–24 MPG (9 variants • PHEV up to 68 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| GLC350e 4matic Plug-in Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 67 MPGe (23 MPG) | 70 MPGe (28 MPG) | 68 MPGe (25 MPG) | 22 mi EV (360 mi total) | $3,050 / yr |
| GLC300 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLC300 4matic Coupe | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| AMG GLC43 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG GLC43 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG GLC63 4matic Plus | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG GLC63 4matic Plus Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG GLC63 S 4matic Plus Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| -Class Coupe SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Hybrid SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| -Class Coupe SUV RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC models.
View complete 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC problems & component breakdown (32 categories) →
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
View all 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC recalls & campaign history (18 campaigns) →