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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 61 owner complaints, and gets about 25 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

SPECS

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 at a glance

Engine
4-cyl 2L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2 L
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 9-spd
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Premium

Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 10, 2026.

SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA

No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.

NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.

Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 10, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA

61 filed
1 crashes 1 fires
  • ENGINE

    While driving in my neighborhood at 25 MPH, my Mercedes GLC300 suddenly lost power and the check engine light illuminated. My car would no longer exceed 25-30 MPH, but I drove it straight to the dealership and they said it was a faulty cyli

    23
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Headlight is defective and is filled with condensation which has caused the entire light to fail. The problem has been confirmed by a independent service center. The light has not been inspected by a manufacturer however the manufacturer wa

    7
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    This is a well-known issue with these engines. See TSB (Service Bulletin) The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has 42,000 miles and the warranty ran out 2 weeks ago. The vehicle is up-to-date on service. Fault code P06DA00 Engine Oil Pressure Con

    7
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    While slowly backing out of the driveway and without contacting anything at all, the rear window completely shattered. The window has never been hit by anything and had no defects yet it completely shattered so clearly reflects a manufactur

    5
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    The vehicle lost power and will not operate over 40 mph/2000 rpms

    4
  • POWER TRAIN

    The engine starts shaking, smell of gas car than stops while driving, could caused an accident and severely injured someone on the freeway. This is a major safety issue after further researching this particular issue MB of Canada issue a wa

    3

Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 10, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.

CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP

Overall
★★★★★
Frontal
★★★★★
Side
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★☆

Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 10, 2026.

FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA

Combined
25 mpg
City / Hwy
22 / 29
Est. fuel / yr
$3,100
CO₂ / mi
360 g

EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 10, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.

All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

Quick answers

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300? +

No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 get? +

The EPA rates the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.

How safe is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300? +

NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300? +

Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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