4 Best & Worst Years For Mercedes-Benz GLC

The GLC is Mercedes-most Benz’s dependable SUV. Due to its exceptional durability, it is Mercedes’ best-selling model worldwide. 

Although the GLC has recieved positive consumer reviews, there have been concerns and recalls since the vehicle’s launch. 

Let’s examine some of the model years that are the most reliable in more detail, as well as ones that you should steer clear of.

The Best and Worst Years For Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Are:

The most reliable Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class model years are the 2018 and 2020 models. Not only do these models have updated technology, but they also have some of the best mpg and safety ratings. Alternatively, you should avoid the 2016 and 2017 models due to their number of recalls. 

What Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Years Are The Most Reliable?

Buying a new car is exciting, but it can also be stressful. With so many vehicles to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right one for you. 

There are many things to consider when buying a new car. But one of the most important things to consider is reliability – especially if you’re buying a used car.

Reliability is essential in purchasing any vehicle because it indicates how well the car will perform over time. A vehicle with low-reliability ratings could cost you more money in repairs or maintenance than expected.

Reliability ratings like those given by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power & Associates based on surveys of owners who have had their vehicles for 12 months or longer are a great way to determine how reliable a car is. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most reliable model years for the Mercedes-Benz GLC model. 

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

According to U.S. Car News ratings, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC distinguishes itself as one of the best small SUVs of its time. 

This is partly because of its high-reliability score and outstanding interior, which includes premium materials and roomy seats. 

However, like most GLC models, high overall ownership costs prevent it from being ranked higher.

U.S. Car News’ evaluation shows that the GLC-Class is ranked second in the 2020 Luxury Compact SUVs category.

It also took up the title of Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families for 2020. The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class now ranks 8.0 out of 10.

Additionally, the 2020 GLC received a perfect score of 9.9 out of 10 throughout every crash test simulation conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Standard safety features included with the 2020 model consist of the following:

• Rearview camera
• Collision prevention assist
• Driver drowsiness monitor
• Mercedes-Benz Pre-Safe

According to professionals, the GLC will be more dependable than most luxury compact SUVs.

It receives a J.D. Power rating of four out of five, which is higher than the ratings of numerous other vehicles on the road.

But enough of the statistics. 

With the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC, comfort is crucial. The GLC will meet your demands if you desire a quiet, elegant SUV with a smooth ride and ample seating.

The interior of the five-seat 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC is finished with high-quality components throughout. Even in the rear, the seats are large and accommodating for the tallest individuals.

In most circumstances, a four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger and 241 horsepower provides adequate performance and rapid acceleration.

The default automatic transmission has nine gears. With the optional air suspension, the drive is incredibly comfortable and fluid.

Additionally, the SUV has five drive modes that significantly alter how it drives. They are as follows:

• Eco
• Comfort
• Sport
• Sport+
• Individual

Overall, it’s understandable if your main interest in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is due to its lovely cabin, upscale appearance, and attractive three-pointed star symbol.

It includes all of that, but you’ll be happy to learn that it’s also shockingly practical, flawlessly constructed, extremely safe, and enjoyable to drive.

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class sets a new standard for the compact luxury crossover segment, which competitors may find challenging to match. 

You’ll surely appreciate the GLC’s high-end interior, broad list of luxurious features, and range of engines. Simply be prepared to pay for the honor.

According to U.S. Car News, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is currently ranked as the best premium compact SUV of its era. 

The 2018 GLC was a contender for their 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families category.

Additionally, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10 on Edmunds.

The GLC received the highest possible grade of Good in all crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning it the 2018 Top Safety Pick.

For front crash protection, the GLC achieved the highest possible grade of Superior. 

It also received grades ranging from Marginal to Good based on how well its headlights illuminated the path ahead.

The GLC received an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in the front and side-impact tests plus four stars in the rollover assessment.

The 2018 model comes included with several cutting-edge safety features, including:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Crosswind alert
• Emergency braking
• Driver drowsiness monitoring
• Mercedes Pre-Safe
• Head-up display
• Blind-spot monitoring

Therefore, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC boasts outstanding safety ratings and an above-average expected reliability assessment of four out of five by J.D. Power.

The GLC is a comfortable commuter with a soft ride and agile control. 

Overall, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC is an excellent used premium compact SUV. In fact, it’s among the best model in its category.

A luxurious cabin, a smooth yet dynamic drive, more standard features than many competitors, and an above-average expected reliability score are just a few of the 2018 GLC’s numerous strong points.

What Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Years Should You Avoid?

When shopping for a new car, it’s easy to fall in love with a vehicle that’s not quite right for your needs. 

The problem is, if you don’t do your homework before buying, your new ride may end up costing you more than just money.

For instance, if you buy a vehicle model year that has been recalled for safety issues, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk. 

Likewise, choosing a vehicle with low-reliability ratings can mean paying hundreds of dollars more in repairs over time.

If you’re in the market for a Mercedes-Benz GLC, you’ll want to avoid the model years listed below to ensure you get the safest and most reliable model. 

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC

Unquestionably, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC is one of the most attractive SUVs currently available on the used automotive market. 

The 2016 model is still sufficiently modern enough to retain the most recent Mercedes-Benz models’ contemporary styling but old to have experienced significant depreciation.

Consumer Reports states that various additional owner-submitted concerns have been made regarding issues with their 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLCs. 

The most frequent and unpleasant problems customers report are rattling panels and squeaking brake components.

However, certain alarming recalls would convince any potential buyers to stay away.

Along with receiving some backlash, the 2016 GLC has faced 11 recalls by the NHSTA.

The GLC’s communications network was the subject of the initial recall. This is one of those issues that seems unimportant until you absolutely need it. 

The emergency response system in the vehicle was the source of the communication system’s issue since it periodically sent the incorrect location data whenever the car indicated help or the driver or a passenger touched the emergency services icon.

Numerous recalls have also been made that impact the back seat passenger’s capacity to use the seatbelts – the seatbelt band would withdraw completely into the vehicle’s pillar. 

Since the back passengers could not use their seatbelts, as one can imagine, the repercussions can be fatal and lead to severe injury or death during accidents.

Ultimately, no one wants to buy a vehicle with an absurd number of issues, particularly life-threatening ones. 

However, if you ever find yourself purchasing a 2016 GLC, check the car’s VIN number to find out if any of these issues apply to the vehicle you are considering. 

Before you purchase, you must ensure that any relevant recalls have already been handled.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC

In terms of luxury compact SUVs, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC comes in the center of the pack. The GLC boasts a top-class cabin, enjoyable performance, and powerful engine output. 

However, this SUV struggles to contend for the upper ranks due to its hefty ownership expenses.

While the 2017 GLC is not entirely horrible, it seems to fall short compared to earlier model years. 

The 2017 model of the GLC has the lowest reliability rating of all GLC models to date, with a below-average 3.5 out of 5 stars from J.D. Power.

Additionally, as of this writing, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC has eleven recalls. Similar to the 2016 model, they include the following: 

• Rear seat belts that may not latch
• Detaching sunroof panels
• A driver’s side airbag that may accidentally deploy
• An overheating starter current limit
• Improperly functioning seat belt tensioner

It’s important to note that if any of these recalls apply to the used model you’re thinking about purchasing, the issues need to be fixed before you buy.

Last but not least, the 2017 model also doesn’t have the best fuel economy ratings out of the GLC fleet.

The base four-cylinder, the 241-horsepower turbocharged engine, achieves class-average fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the interstate.

Overall, the 2017 GLC saw very few changes from the 2016 model, and it seems like there have been some growing pains to get the GLC where it is today. 

It might be worthwhile to take a peek at another model year or even to purchase it brand-new if you are tempted, as the newer GLC model years have shown to be more dependable and have far fewer recalls.

What Are Some Typical Problems With The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Models?

The Mercedes Benz GLC belongs to one of the most well-liked car categories because it is a compact luxury Mercedes SUV. 

Since the GLC’s current generation has existed for a long time, an entirely new generation is soon to be released.

The GLC is a reasonably reliable vehicle, particularly for recent generations. However, there are some issues worth talking about. Most of them could be avoided with routine maintenance, but some necessitate expensive repairs. 

The most common problem associated with Mercedes-Benz GLC models include the following: 

• Powertrain 
• Wheels and brakes
• Speed control sensors
• Steering system 
• Engine seizures

Final Thoughts

Since its debut in 2015, the GLC has maintained its excellent ratings. This SUV has maintained its reputation as the top-selling luxury vehicle.

The last letter hints at where the Mercedes GLC falls in the company’s vehicle classification. The GL(C) is larger than the GLA and GLB, two popular Mercedes SUVs, and is the bigger SUV version of the C-Class saloon.

This small, incredibly reliable crossover SUV can travel between 200,000 and 250,000 miles with proper maintenance and cautious driving. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, your car should last between 13 to 17 years.

Sources

Mercedes-Benz GLC

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.