Mercedes-Benz GLC Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

The contact leased a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the instrument panel and the infotainment system screen turned black, and the vehicle made abnormal electrical snapping sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where two software resets were performed days apart; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that upon performing a third software reset and replacing the circuit breaker fuse, the vehicle would be repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and informed the contact that it was a common failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,700.

The infotainment and instrument panel screens blacked out after the vehicle was started a few miles away from our home. I was unable to see the speedometer while driving back home. This was the first time that this has happened to us. After a Google search of Mercedes Benz 2025 GLC 300, this event appears to be fairly common.

When I entered my vehicle after it was washed at the Mercedes-Benz service location, I pressed Memory 1 button and the seat returned to my normal position. Without any further input, I started the engine, and the driver's seat automatically moved backward by itself. When I readjusted the seat and shifted into Drive, it continued moving rearward. As the seat moved backward, my feet could no longer reach the brake pedal. At the same time, the car began to move forward, and I lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision that damaged the right side doors. This malfunction occurred suddenly and without any warning lights or messages. The seat moved by itself twice-once when the engine started and again when I shifted into Drive. The issue appears to be related to the seat's electrical control system or memory setting malfunction. The dealership has inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the problem. I am deeply concerned that this may happen again and could cause a serious injury or major traffic accident. The vehicle has approximately 2200 miles and was purchased new in March 2025. I am requesting a formal investigation to determine the cause of this automatic seat movement and whether other vehicles of the same model are affected.

The entire main console display AND the digital instrument cluster screen have completely frozen. Additionally, the gas gauge for how much fuel is in the vehicle is nowhere to be found. Temperature touch controls (no physical option), volume, car settings (which can adjust safety features, multimedia features, accessibility features), etc. are all completely unavailable and unable to use. For example, if the defrost option was on which defaults to full blast heat, I would’ve unable to turn it off. The only information that is properly updating is MPH, headlamp status, time, Emerfency brake, Gear, and outside temperature. RPMs cannot be seen. Some of the pictures attached show that I’ve been on a phone call for 3.5 hours. I’m not.

The brakes did not function at all. Upon trying to brake, the brake pedal was hard and the car would not stop. The car went into s storefront where the cashier is located and could have resulted in serious injury or death to anyone waiting to pay at the store. The forward collision alarm did not sound, the dashboard indicator for an impending forward collision did not illuminated. The car did not slow down or stop to avoid the collision. The car is currently at the body shop.

The contact owns a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist suddenly activated and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, causing the seat belt to immediately retract and lock. The contact was slightly jerked from the abrupt stop. The contact stated that a warning light with a red triangle with an image of a crash in the center was illuminated. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the infotainment center and the instrument panel were completely black. The vehicle was restarted several times before both systems started operating as needed. The failure occurred twice; however, the second time, the contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle for approximately an hour before the infotainment center and instrument panel became operational. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a software update for the infotainment center. After the software update was completed, the contact became aware there were other electrical systems that failed intermittently, including the voice activation system. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver’s and passenger’s sides sensors were too low and there was no reason for the notification to become activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

The driver’s seat automatically adjusted while the vehicle was in drive, causing me to lose the ability to reach the pedals and almost resulting in a collision. While driving my 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC with my children in the car, I stopped at a stop sign when the driver’s seat suddenly began adjusting itself backward. My husband also drives this vehicle, and because I had not logged into my driver profile, the car began moving the seat and controls to his saved position, while the car was in drive. The seat moved so far back that I could not reach the pedals. I lost control of the vehicle while another car was turning into my lane. The only way I avoided an accident was by quickly putting the car into park before the seat adjustment completed. This was a terrifying and dangerous situation. Automatic seat adjustments should never be allowed while the vehicle is in motion or in drive. This design flaw puts drivers, passengers, and surrounding traffic at risk of serious injury or death

In July 2023, I entered into a lease agreement for a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC SUV (VIN: [XXX]). From the outset, the vehicle suffered from recurring mechanical failures. It required service visits on August 10, 2023; March 25, 2024; July 26, 2024; September 20, 2024; and October 7, 2024. The final incident on [XXX], involved a fuel pump failure that caused the vehicle to stall in traffic, placing me in a terrifying situation where another driver, enraged and armed, threatened me while I waited for a tow truck. Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the vehicle was inoperable and issued a replacement lease on October 15, 2024 VIN [XXX]. However, this second vehicle also proved defective. Within two weeks, it was back in the shop for service. Since then, it has required repairs on December 24, December 31, 2024, and again on May 28, 2025, including another engine stall that posed a serious road safety threat. Despite my good faith efforts to resolve the matter, Mercedes-Benz, via their claims processor Sedgwick, is attempting to charge me $12,873.52 in negative equity, in addition to fees for Prepaid Maintenance and 4N1 Assurance Protection, as part of their settlement offer. These charges are both inappropriate and unlawful under the principles of lemon law and consumer protection. Request for Relief: •Immediate release from the lease agreement without penalty. •Refund of all payments made toward both defective vehicles. •Full waiver of any negative equity or ancillary product charges. •Any civil penalties deemed appropriate by your office against Mercedes-Benz USA and/or Sedgwick. I have already filed a complaint with the NHTSA (ID Number: 11665555) As I feel as though my safety is in imminent danger driving this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am writing to formally express my deep dissatisfaction and serious concerns regarding both my 2024 and 2025 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, purchased/leased through your dealership. I am now facing an unacceptable situation that not only violates my consumer rights but has repeatedly placed my personal safety in jeopardy. After significant issues with my original 2024 vehicle, I was provided a replacement, which I took delivery of on October 15, 2024. Unfortunately, within two weeks, the replacement vehicle was already back in the shop for repairs. It has since required service again on December 24, December 31, and most recently, May 28, 2025. On one particularly alarming occasion, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road, creating an extremely hazardous and life-threatening situation. I am driving a vehicle that cost over $60,000, yet it has proven consistently unreliable, unsafe, and unfit for normal operation. This experience has severely tarnished my perception of the Mercedes-Benz brand and has caused undue stress, inconvenience, and concern for my safety. Given the repeated repair attempts, persistent mechanical failures, and safety issues, I am requesting that Mercedes-Benz fully release me from this lease agreement without penalty or further financial obligation. Additionally, I am in the process of reviewing whether this situation meets the criteria under [Your State’s] Lemon Law, which typically applies when a vehicle undergoes multiple unsuccessful repair attempts for the same issue or is out of service for an extended period within the first 12-24 months of ownership. Based on the timeline and history of service visits, I believe my situation may qualify.

The instrument cluster panel blacked out when I started driving. Tried to turn off and on, but didn't come back on.

See attached document for complaint.