2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 31%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, 31% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The check engine light illuminated, I took the car to the dealer I bought. They said the cylinder head on the engine needs to be replaced, when I check the internet it seems it is a known issue for Mercedes X253 but there is not a recall program. I bought the car from the dealer, and put on 5k miles in a year.”
NHTSA complaint #11640706, filed 2025-02“Car was running rough so I took it to the mercedes benz dealer they diagnosed the problem as cylinder 1 misfire and and cylinder head needed to to be replaced which I did $5500 dollars later this is a common problem and Mercedex Benz needs to recall the engine and reimburse me”
NHTSA complaint #11635665, filed 2025-01“The engine in my 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 suddenly malfunctioned while driving on two separate occasions. The vehicle began shaking violently and lost power without warning. I could not accelerate and had to pull over immediately. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it to regain limited driveability. On the second incident, the power loss was so abrupt that it felt as if I had been rear-ended. I feared the vehicle would stall in traffic and cause a crash. Following these events, the check engine light remains constantly on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11703748, filed 2025-12“I have had my car for almost two years. This problem has been on-going the whole time. It happens intermittently, I never know. I will be driving it and usually when I am making a turn or pulling onto a main road, you press the gas to go and the car hesitates and makes a loud brooooooooom sound like it is trying to go or figure out what to do and if you are pulling out onto a main road with on comming traffic, this is dangerous. We have seen information that on the 2019 and 2018 GLC300's this has been documented, my car is a 2020 but it's the same thing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11737705, filed 2026-05“I am the owner of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 with the M264 engine. I am hoping that you can assist me with a widely reported, systemic defect: the premature failure of the master cylinder, regardless of vehicle mileage. This issue is extensively documented by numerous owners of the 2020 and 2021 GLC300 models across various public forums, including Reddit and dedicated GLC owner communities. I took my vehicle to Mercedes dealearship for annual service and an intermittent check engine light. The dealership informed me it was a spark plug issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11694592, filed 2025-10Related service bulletins
- 11035238Jul 24, 2026Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2019-2021 C-Class, G-Class, GLC, GT, S-Class (205, 463, 253, 190 & 222 platforms)…
- 11034064Jun 19, 2026Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline…
- 11030302Mar 27, 2026Complaint -Check engine light illuminated. -Engine runs rough. -Poor shifting or jerking when accelerating. -Fault codes stored related to mixture formation, injector quantity…
- 11028267Feb 2, 2026Complaint -Check engine light illuminated. -Engine runs rough. -Poor shifting or jerking when accelerating. -Fault codes stored related to mixture formation, injector quantity…
- 11027900Jan 31, 2026Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the engine control unit software may not correspond to current…
- 11028003Jan 23, 2026Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA…
- 11027757Jan 23, 2026Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the engine electronics control unit software (ME-SFI) does not…
- 11027580Jan 10, 2026In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is extending the…
- 11008712Oct 4, 2024Complaint Check engine light on. One of the below fault codes is current in the engine control module (N3/10). P04DB29, P04DB31, P04DB79 Cause Open circuit or high resistance to…
- 11008056Sep 16, 2024Complaint Check engine light on. Fault code P207273 - "Throttle actuator valve is blocked due to ice" stored. Engine may crank and not start. Fault code P210185 may also be…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 19% |
| 2024 | 7 | 33% |
| 2023 | 15 | 27% |
| 2022 | 10 | 16% |
| 2021 | 30 | 45% |
| 2020 | 22 | 31% |
| 2019 | 11 | 23% |
| 2018 | 28 | 32% |
| 2017 | 37 | 37% |
| 2016 | 38 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
15 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology