2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLC350e 4matic, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 98 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLC350e 4matic | Plug-in hybrid | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 85 kW DCPM | 24 | 27 | 25 (31 MPGe blended) | 10 mi electric | 59 | 1.9 h | $3,100 |
| GLC300 | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | $3,250 |
| GLC300 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | — | $3,250 |
| GLC300 4matic Coupe | Gas | 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 27 | 24 | — | — | — | $3,250 |
| AMG GLC43 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | — | $3,900 |
| AMG GLC43 4matic Coupe | Gas | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | — | $3,900 |
| AMG GLC63 4matic | Gas | 4WD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | — | $4,300 |
| AMG GLC63 4matic Coupe | Gas | 4WD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 15 | 22 | 18 | — | — | — | $4,300 |
| AMG GLC63 S 4matic Coupe | Gas | 4WD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 15 | 22 | 18 | — | — | — | $4,300 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39881, 38952, 38954, 39001, 38955, 39002, 40039, 40040, 40041.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (15)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseElectrical System
See Recall ScheduleStructure
2021070010Communication
2021030005Electrical System
2021020025Electrical System
2021010006Seat Belts
2020020017Air Bags
2019020004Air Bags
2018120009Structure
2018100002Exterior Lighting
2018090014Air Bags
2018050003Structure
2018030012Visibility
2017110009Air Bags
2017110011NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars — Front Roof Panel Detachment closed
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhe
Opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · action PE21001
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2018: 13 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 17 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 4
Most-cited components
What owners describe
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other GLC-Class model years
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
0 recalls · 0 complaints
C2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
3 recalls · 6 complaints
D2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
4 recalls · 46 complaints
F2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
8 recalls · 31 complaints
F2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
12 recalls · 64 complaints
B2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
2 recalls · 62 complaints
F2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
9 recalls · 72 complaints
F2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
20 recalls · 80 complaints
F2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
14 recalls · 68 complaints
F2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
12 recalls · 102 complaints
F2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
12 recalls · 133 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.