2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
ℹ️Average Safety Profile

This 2020 model shows average reliability, primarily driven by 0 recall affecting the various systems system.

Key Factor:various systems recalls

📋Why This Matters

A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.

When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.

Focus Area:clean safety record
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Expert Analysis

The 2020 GLC-Class analysis highlights key safety metrics.

Safety & Reliability Score

96/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-0
Complaint Impact-3.55
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class

Model Year2020
MakeMERCEDES-BENZ
ModelGLC-Class
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

23 complaints (32% of total)
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Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 71 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
11(15%)
🟡Medium
17(24%)
🟢Low
43(61%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 20k-40k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 37,264 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 21 of 71 complaints (30% coverage)
0-20k
4 reports (19%)
20k-40k
7 reports (33%)
40k-60k
4 reports (19%)
60k-80k
6 reports (29%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

No Recalls Found

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Clean Safety Record Verified

2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class

Exceptional News! As of January 2026, the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class has recorded 0 safety recalls.

This distinction places it in the top tier of vehicle safety reliability for its model year.

🛡️ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide

Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:

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Brake System HealthInspect pads and fluid levels every 12,000 miles to ensure stopping power.
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Electrical & BatteryTest battery load annually; modern electronics are sensitive to voltage drops.
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Visibility ComponentsReplace wiper blades every 6-12 months and polish clouded headlights.
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Tire & Wheel CheckRotate tires every 5,000 miles and check TPMS sensors for accuracy.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

71 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 GLC-Class.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning32%
Check Engine Light14%
Stall13%
Acceleration Issues13%
Accident10%
Noise10%
Fire8%
Display8%
Crash/Accident7%
Other🔶 Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The front main light on the driver side stopped working after a rain and it continued getting moister in the head lamp every night until a few days ago and as a result the head light assembly does not work at all ,the same thing is happening on the passenger side front head light assembly except it is still working .research showed that this has been a problem on similar Mercedes Benz cars and considering that the car has not had any accidents to possibly causing this it was concluded that this should have been part of the recalls .car is not operatable and i reached out to Mercedes Benz and they acted like I am out of my mind and it is passed the express warranties with car having 69000 miles. I tried explaining to them about the implied warranty and the safety problem and they continued with the same none sense. at this point The MBZ dealers want over $ 6000.00 to replace the part and I am not able to operate car.what can you do for me and others effected.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
ENGINE

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. The dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed excessive valve leakage into the exhaust system, requiring a complete cylinder-head replacement. They warned the failure will worsen and could result in sudden power loss again. This defect poses a serious safety risk. If the power loss occurs while merging or at highway speeds, it could easily lead to a rear-end collision. The vehicle has relatively low mileage for such a severe internal engine failure, and I have learned that other owners of this same engine have reported similar issues. Sudden stalling or loss of acceleration places occupants and other drivers in danger. There were no warning messages prior to the failure, and the problem has recurred. The vehicle is available for inspection, and the defect has been confirmed by a Mercedes-Benz service center. This appears to be a mechanical defect in the engine design, potentially involving valve seat failure. An investigation is needed to determine if this issue is widespread and whether a recall or manufacturer action is required to prevent accidents or injuries.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ENGINE

My 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 experienced a complete engine failure at ~51,000 miles, shortly after a major repair for a known defect. Initially, the vehicle showed a misfire on cylinder #3, which was diagnosed at RBM of Alpharetta as low compression due to valve seat damage, matching MB TSB LI01.30-P-072328. The cylinder head was replaced in Aug 2025. About two months later, while driving under normal conditions, the vehicle made a loud cranking/knocking noise and completely stalled in traffic without any check engine light or warning. This sudden stall posed a serious safety risk. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, who has now diagnosed the engine as fully seized and recommended a complete engine replacement. I had also completed the 50,000-mile scheduled service at the same dealer shortly before this failure. Despite this being clearly linked to a known design defect, Mercedes-Benz USA has declined to provide further assistance or goodwill coverage. I am reporting this to highlight both the mechanical failure and the safety risk—this engine seizure occurred without any prior warning lights and could have resulted in a crash. I believe this reflects a systemic failure with the M264 engine in GLC 300s, affecting vehicle reliability and road safety. MBUSA has not provided a written explanation for their denial. I am concerned this issue may affect other GLC 300 owners and deserves investigation or recall consideration.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Nationwide known cylinder head issues. Cylinder head work needing replaced.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

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. Once repaired the check engine light went on permanently and the car hesitated as if it would turn off. I brought my car in for service and was told that it was a master cylander failure of the engine. Known Defect: The defect is so widespread that it indicates a manufacturing or design flaw. Corporate Refusal: Mercedes-Benz corporate has failed to acknowledge this systemic issue publicly or initiate a recall. Local Acknowledgment: When engaging with Mercedes-Benz of Paramus, Service Manager Ben Wright acknowledged both the existence of the issue and Mercedes-Benz's corporate awareness of the defect, yet confirmed the lack of a formal recall. Repair Cost & Offer: Following the failure, I was presented with a $12,000 repair bill for parts and labor. The only offer of assistance from corporate was a minimal 20% discount, still forcing me to pay a final cost of $10,620 for a repair that should be covered under a mandatory recall. Unfortunately, I was out of warranty by 1 year and 8,000 miles. This refusal to address a known mechanical flaw is unacceptable, especially given the significant financial burden placed on owners for a defect acknowledged internally.

Electrical🔶 Medium
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Problem (repeat failure / prior warranty replacement): This vehicle has a recurring headlamp defect involving moisture ingress into the headlamp housing/connectors, causing electrical shorting and warning messages, with risk of headlight failure. Mercedes-Benz replaced this same headlamp under warranty in 2021 for the identical issue (moisture/shorting). The defect has recurred on the same vehicle.Recent verification: On Oct 13, 2025, the dealer (Mercedes-Benz of North Palm Beach) observed visible condensation/fogging in the lamp and confirmed it matches the prior failure that was repaired under warranty. Pattern affecting other owners: There are multiple consumer complaints in NHTSA’s database describing condensation, moisture intrusion, shorting, and headlamp malfunctions on GLC vehicles, including the 2020 model year. This indicates the issue is not isolated. Related recalls / known condition: NHTSA Recall 22V261 (GLC) identifies headlamp moisture/connector sealing problems leading to lighting failure. While my VIN is not currently included, the failure mechanism is the same: moisture → short → potential loss of headlight illumination. There are also GLC lighting recalls addressing exterior lighting malfunctions, underscoring that lighting faults on this platform are safety-relevant. Safety risk: Headlamp moisture/shorting can disable exterior lighting, reduce nighttime visibility, and increase crash risk. This is a repeat, safety-related defect previously repaired by Mercedes-Benz that has returned. Requested action: Please investigate this headlamp moisture/shorting defect on the 2020 GLC as a recurring safety problem, consider expanding applicable recall/remedy coverage, and direct the manufacturer to provide a durable fix and appropriate remedy for affected vehicles.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

The engine is failing, I was on my way to drop my [XXX] off at daycare when suddenly my car went above and stayed above 5rpms meanwhile I was only able to drive 8mph. This caused a tractor trailer swerving into on coming traffic, if he didn’t my toddler and I would have been killed. As I managed to pull off and call my husband to get the baby the engine started making a strange clicking noise. There’s maybe 60,000 miles on this vehicle none of this should be happening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

On August 15, 2025, I was driving my Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC on the freeway under normal conditions. Without any warning lights, error messages, or prior signs of mechanical issues, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost power. The accelerator pedal became unresponsive and felt locked, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop in the middle of an active freeway, in the second lane from the left. I had no ability to control or prevent the stoppage. This unexpected power loss directly led to a rear-end collision. The vehicle behind me sustained severe front-end damage, including airbag deployment. My passenger and I were in shock and suffered whiplash and physical injuries, with pain and bruising following the impact. I suspect the most likely causes may be an Electronic Throttle Control failure or a false activation of an Active Safety System. I opened a case with MBUSA (Case #16298894) immediately after the incident, but I have not received any updates on the investigation. This was a dangerous and life-threatening failure, and I am deeply concerned that it could occur again to other drivers if not addressed.

Other🔶 Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving on the highway I began to hear an unusual amount of wind noise inside the car. I thought the sound was coming from the sunroof, though it was completely closed. I pushed the button to confirm it was sealed, but the noise continued. Shortly after, I heard a loud cracking sound followed by a sudden pop. I looked in my rearview and saw something flying but didn’t immediately recognize what it was. I pulled over to inspect the situation and discovered that the entire exterior trim panel between the windshield and sunroof had detached. Another driver, who had been behind me, also pulled over after being struck by the debris. Thankfully, there were no bodily injuries, but this incident could have resulted in a serious accident. A large, fast-moving piece of trim flying off a vehicle at highway speeds presents a significant danger to other drivers, especially if they try to swerve to avoid it. I took my car to a Mercedes-Benz dealership for inspection and potential repair. I informed the service advisor that I had seen documentation of a recall involving the same issue, detachment of the sunroof panel on vehicles of the same make, model, and year as mine. However, I was told that my vehicle was not eligible for the recall based solely on its VIN and that Mercedes would not cover the cost of repairs. This is not a typical wear-and-tear issue. Structural components of a car should not randomly detach, especially on a vehicle that is only 5 years old and has been properly maintained. It is extremely concerning and, in my opinion, negligent for Mercedes-Benz to be aware of this defect and yet fail to extend the recall to all affected. The advisor acknowledged this issue was likely due to a problem with the adhesive used to secure the panel, something he said he had seen happen on other vehicles. Despite this, I was told I would be fully responsible for the repair costs. There were no warnings or signs this would this happen, the panel detached suddenly.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

With approximately 57,500 miles, the car began idling roughly, misfiring and losing power. The dealership has diagnosed it with a cracked cylinder head which will require a replacement at a cost of $9,765.00. The dealership indicated this is a common issue with the M264 engine (rear wheel driver) in the GLC300 and the M260 engine (the front wheel drive version) has already had a service extension for 15 years/180,000 miles. This type of failure should not occur at this mileage or even significantly more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class?

No, the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.

Is the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class safe to drive?

The 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.

Where can I check if my 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request documentation proving all recalls were addressed before finalizing purchase.
  • Factor potential recall-related service time into your ownership cost estimates.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.