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Mercedes-Benz · Midsize SUV

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Hybrid

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

79 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 3

Complaints1 fire · 1 injured reported 11

Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLC300, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 11 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Mercedes-Benz GLC — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Mercedes-Benz GLC · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
GLC300	Hybrid	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion	24	32	27	$3,050
GLC300 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion	23	31	26	$3,150
GLC300 4matic (coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion	23	31	26	$3,150
AMG GLC43 4matic	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	26	22	$3,750
AMG GLC43 4matic Coupe	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	25	22	$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49463, 49516, 49517, 49343, 49344.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors	4
GVWR class	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	4
Displacement	2 L
Engine configuration	In-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower

255 hp

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Seating

Seat rows	2
Seating capacity	5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission speeds	9

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Parking assist, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: GLC300, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	185.8–188.6 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	74.4–75.6 in
Height	63.0–64.6 in
Wheelbase	113.8 in
Track, front	64.2–65.7 in
Track, rear	64.6–65.7 in
Curb weight	4,244–5,104 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	54/46

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 7 configurations: 300 4Matic 4-door SUV, 300 4Matic Coupe 4-door SUV, 350E 4-door SUV, AMG 43 4-door SUV, AMG 43 4Matic Coupe 4-door SUV, AMG 63 4-door SUV …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Electrical System

2026050004

144,049 vehicles 91% reported repaired built Sep 19, 2022 – Feb 6, 2026

Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank. Risk An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF Dealer notice PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V281000 reported May 1, 2026 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Seat Belts

20 vehicles 70% reported repaired built Sep 16, 2025 – Sep 18, 2025

Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 AMG GLC43 4MATIC, GLC 300 4MATIC, GLC 300, and GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe vehicles. The center rear seat belts may have been installed without the child seat protection function and fail to lock a child restraint properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and FMVSS number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." Risk In the event of a crash, an insufficiently restrained child has an increased risk of injury. Fix Dealers will inspect and replace the center rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 27, 2026.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V172000 reported Mar 20, 2026 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Steering

3,749 vehicles 91% reported repaired

Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack. Risk A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V533000 reported Aug 20, 2025 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific GLC-Class

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2026 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Mercedes-Benz’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

11complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

3.6 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 30,667 GLC-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2026: 11

Most-cited components

Electrical System 5

Engine 2

Unspecified 2

Wheels 1

Steering 1

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The MBUX/center display has malfunctioned repeatedly. The enter display suddenly went to completely black on the three separate occasions, and on one additional occasion three times. MBUX system froze and became completely unresponsive. These are four separate incidents, not a one-time occurrence.

Electrical System Oct 1, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11768366

While driving at slow speed (approx 27 mph) on an inclining road, the automatic braking system when off and abruptly slowed down the vehicle. Fortunately there was no one immediately behind my car and there was no apparent reason for the emergency braking.

Forward Collision Avoidance Aug 25, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11759351

The breaks on these vehicles are extremely dangerous . Before I leased this vehicle test drove 3 vehicles. The salesman said the breaks will adjust as you drive. They have not. ITS all over the internet that this vehicle has very unresponsive breaks.

Service Brakes Apr 25, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11733775

While at a stop with foot on brake, the vehicle surges forward powerfully making a loud noise despite having foot on brake. Forcefully pushing on brake pedal harder eventually stops the car. Most recent time the display screen showed "Transmission Deactivated". Dealership drove car once but did not perform service inspection.

Power Train Jan 16, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11711555

Backup camera keeps opening and closing constantly while driving in slow speeds. While driving, backup camera keeps opening and closing, creating a noise and distraction to the driver and might cause accidents.

Back Over Prevention Jan 13, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11710801

Brand new car Engine light also went on and off 3 or more times in one day, car had a charging failure wouldn't charge - Sold me an unsafe vehicle to drive - shaking tires, steering wheel, Car also has 13 codes including engine and transmission failure communication codes - multiple attempts to resolve the matter and the service team…

Engine Jan 6, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11709067

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.

Reported by Mercedes-Benz itself: 2 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 6.5 per 100,000 built. Every GLC-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 902

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-29

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 839 service bulletins, 29 over-the-air updates, 20 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Steering, Visibility/Wiper, Structure, Suspension.

LI47.70-P-079912 Service bulletin
2026-09-29 · Electrical System
Complaint Vehicle will not start after DC charging Warning in the instrument cluster related to High‑voltage on board electrical system The following fault codes related to stuck contactor can be found in the High Voltage Control units : PTCU ‑ N127 (Powertrain control unit) • P154900 ‑ There is a warning due to overcurrent in the charging system of the high‑voltage electric circuit. • P154A00 ‑ T
LI46.10-P-080896 Service bulletin
2026-09-26 · Steering
Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
LI83.90-P-080935 Service bulletin
2026-09-25 · Visibility/Wiper
Complaint CEL illuminates and/or AC does not blow cold. Cause Potentially relevance to hardware and/or software Remedy Scenario 1: 1. If the AC does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number Figure 1 match against Table 1). a. If the compressor does not fall within Table 1, please open a TIPS case. b. Flush procedure must be followed as per WIS. Scenario 2: 1. If
LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin
2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
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 is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
LI54.30-P-080963 Service bulletin
2026-09-17 · Electrical System
Complaint Issue after OTA Update IC Odometer Reading blank("_ _ _ _") IC Maintanence data unavailable Cause OTA Update E61.0 Remedy In the IC Control Unit Log, please check the following information: Verify whether DTCs B228229, B228287, and B226656 are present in either A or A+S. Verify that Status Schlüssel‑ID = "ID is not valid" and Anlernstatus = "IC is initialized", as shown in the attached i
LI82.60-P-080383 Service bulletin
2026-09-15 · Electrical System
Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Pleas
LI82.62-P-078631 Service bulletin
2026-09-14 · Structure — Body
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 if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document i
LI35.31-P-080353 Service bulletin
2026-09-14 · Power Train
Complaint Whining / humming noises (described as foghorn‑like) from the drivetrain in the rear axle area during cornering. (figure 1) On the above‑mentioned vehicles with a mileage up to 15,000 km (about 9,300 mi), noises can occur from the rear axle differential. Cause Drivetrain resonance caused by the gear mesh of the ring and pinion in the rear axle differential in combination with installed d

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Compare the 2026 GLC-Class with

Any vehicle, your weights →

Head-to-head	Verdict
2026 BMW XM · Midsize SUV · grade A	XM +4.7

GLC-Class by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A 0 0 350 mi 2026 this page C 3 11 27 mpg 2025 C 4 48 27 mpg 2024 F 8 31 29 mpg 2023 F 12 64 28 mpg 2022 B 2 64 24 mpg 2021 D 9 75 25 mpg 2020 F 20 80 25 mpg 2019 F 14 69 25 mpg 2018 F 15 99 25 mpg 2017 F 12 117 24 mpg 2016 F 12 141 24 mpg

Common questions about the 2026 GLC-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 3 recall campaigns for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The most serious on file is 26V281000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it C (79/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Transport Canada measured it at 185.8–188.6 in long, 74.4–75.6 in wide (body, without mirrors), 63.0–64.6 in tall, on a 113.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,244–5,104 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, most often about electrical system, engine, unspecified. Of those, 1 a fire, 1 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

Are there service bulletins for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 902 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, most often covering electrical system, steering, visibility/wiper. The most recent is dated 2026-09-29. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class better than the 2026 BMW XM?

The BMW XM edges it, 86.9 to 82.2, on performance, safety. The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.1 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class against the 2026 BMW XM — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	5 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	none	EPA emission certificates	The EPA published no certificate we could match to a configuration on this page.
Recalls	3	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	11	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	none	NHTSA NCAP	NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins	902	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	12 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

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). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Specs & fuel economy

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Dimensions Exterior

Engine Basics

Engine Output

Fuel Economy

Seating

Transmission

Driver assistance

Dimensions & weight

The cheapest ownership win

Recalls (3)

Electrical System

Seat Belts

Steering

Whether any of this applies to one specific GLC-Class

Hear about a recall before the letter does

Parts & accessories for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Owner complaints

Most-cited components

In owners' own words

Crash ratings

Service bulletins & campaigns

Compare the 2026 GLC-Class with

GLC-Class by model year

Common questions about the 2026 GLC-Class

Does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class have any recalls?

How safe is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

What are the dimensions of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

What do owners complain about on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Are there service bulletins for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class better than the 2026 BMW XM?

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Where to go next

Sources & method