Problems With Mercedes-Benz GLC: 4 Issues (Explained)

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a compact luxury SUV that was introduced in 2015, and it replaced the GLK-Class. This GLC is also an all-rounded vehicle from Mercedes, as it delivers smoothness and refinement on all sides.

However, there are still some major weaknesses of the GLC that affect some of its users find frustrating. Want to find out? Jump on this article.

1. Run-Flat Tires Problems

Imagine driving a luxury SUV and experiencing rough rides because of its standard run-flat tires.

Run flat tires are tires designed majorly to resist the effect of a puncture and still allow the vehicle to move forward for limited distances.

This happens because the tires have rigid sidewalls that keep the rim from hitting the road.

However, as good as this sounds, these tires are not efficient on poorly maintained roads as they tend to affect the car’s smooth handling. They work at their best on smooth roads.

It gets worse for the GLC owners who use this kind of tires and are equipped with larger  20 or 21-inch wheels. Owners stated that with this combination, it was as if the car was losing contact with the road.

It was also found out that these run flats tires are susceptible to wearing out quickly and owners might have to find a replacement before the car even reaches 20,000 miles.

To mitigate this problem, it is advised to get regular tires as they last longer than run flats and are better with drive quality. Another solution is to air out the tires a bit to reduce this roughness.

Ordinarily, the air pressure of a brand-new vehicle is inflated to over 40 PSI. This is relatively over-inflated and most dealers forget to reduce them before selling out.

Also, most GLC models do not come with spare tires as this addition only came to the limelight in 2020. Thus, any replacement would have to come from your pockets.

You can also check out the best and worst years for the Mercedes-Benz GLC.

2. Noise From the Brakes

Brake noise was another problem that plagued the GLC. It typically affected the models produced between 2016 and 2019.

These new brakes (yes, these cars were brand new), were susceptible to brake squeals while driving and owners reported that this noise was more noticeable in certain circumstances.

For instance, an owner stated that the noise occurred more often in colder weather and as these pads continue to wear off, they also became more prevalent in average temperatures.

Another owner stated that brake noise was heard when he put the brake in reverse or pressed on them. Squealing or squeaking can be caused by a number of things.

Some of them include: 

• Worn out brakes
• Badly cut brake rotors 
• Broken anti-rattle chips
• Incorrectly installed insulation chips
• Glazed brake pads

Worn-out brakes should be a normal cause for brake noises but with the GLC, owners have complained that the brake pads were still new.

This issue was so bad that even after so many replacements of the pads and even the rotors, this problem seemed to be enjoying its stay. 

Even when they took their cars to dealers, they got a disappointing response, as they thought it was normal.

Although this noise doesn’t pose a safety risk while driving, it is definitely annoying for owners who paid a fine sum of money to buy a luxury SUV and still face these kinds of minor problems.

Thankfully, the company eventually solved this issue in 2020 by updating the brake pads. That means vehicles bought between 2020 and now should not face this problem.

Another way to mitigate this annoying noise is to clean out the rotors and maybe apply disc brake paste on the pads. This paste primarily eliminates noise that occurs between the brake caliper points and the brake lining.

You could also decide to purchase aftermarket brake pads.

However, these maintenance skills might not be so effective with the AMG models because they use different compounds for their brakes.

3. Shuddering While Turning

This problem occurs when the steering is at full lock. The tires skip, and then the shuddering comes in.

It is unbearable for such a high-end vehicle and it unsettles the drivers so much that when the tire skips, it makes a loud thud.

This problem was predominately found in the 2016 to 2019 models equipped with the right-hand drive. Not only is the GLC found with this problem, but the C-Class and the E-Class also have this particular issue.

This shuddering issue is majorly a tire problem and it happens when the sidewalls of the tires become too stiff, allowing them to lose their grip and skip at hard turnings.

All things being equal, this problem should only show up with high-performance tires when they’re being driven in winter.

Some folks stated that their tires made a shuddering sound while trying to maneuver at slow speeds. Imagine trying to get a way through tight traffic and your car is simply doing otherwise.

This issue basically affected the right-handed GLCs because they have a distinct steering geometry that aggravates the situation.

Tire skipping also becomes worse if they equip the vehicle with a bigger wheel size, which the AMG models have. Little wonder why they are included in this problem as well.

The company, reacting to this issue, released a statement about this complaint. They didn’t make any recall or adjustments because it didn’t pose a safety risk nor did it reduce the vehicle’s performance.

However, they rolled out some basic maintenance tips, which include advising owners to correct their steering geometry, especially for those who drive the 2019 models.

Also, it was recommended that folks who used the older GLC should get new steering knuckles from their dealers. The warranty covers this unless yours has expired.

Lastly, they were advised to get all-season tires. All seasons tires basically feature a tread pattern rubber compound that allows for smooth driving in hot and cold temperatures.

They are more likely to tolerate freezing temperatures and less likely to skip. This option is also relatively cheap and faster. 

4. Shaky Transmission

Shaky transmission is another problem that the GLC suffers from. This problem can happen at any point in time. Either when the car is accelerating or slowing down.

However, in the GLC, it is stated that this problem often showed up when the ‘sport’ mode was activated. Worse still, it can also happen in the ‘comfort’ mode. How ironic.

There are a number of reasons your transmission may jerk at low speed. Some of them include: 

• Dirty fuel injectors
• Damaged fuel pump
• Blocked catalytic converter
• Faulty mass airflow sensor
• Broken spark plugs 
• Accumulation of moisture

This shaky transmission is commonly found in the standard GLC models and AMG variants because they have different transmission tuning. 

To curb this problem, Mercedes rolled out a system update by updating the transmission and PTCU (Powertrain Control Unit).

Owners stated that there was a minor improvement after this upgrade. Although some complained that they lost the remote feel of their vehicle after the upgrade.

Alongside this maintenance, the company also advised owners to check their transmission fluid and flush the valves

What Are the Pros and Cons of the Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Perhaps, you plan to buy the Mercedes GLC as your next ride. You might be wondering what its strengths and weaknesses are. Below is the list of them. 

Pros

• Family oriented vehicle 
• Unique exterior look
• Comfortable cabin
• Effortless to drive
• Luxury for the family
• High-end interior controls

Cons

• Smaller cargo 
• Not as sporty as its rival 
• Cramped room for middle passengers at the rear

What is the Resale Value of the Mercedes-Benz GLC?

According to Caredge, the Mercedes-Benz GLC has a depreciation value of 41% after 5 years and a resale value of $30,862 after a 5-year period.

Below is the table highlighting the depreciation value after a 5-year period. If you don’t intend to purchase the GLC, you should know that it’s among the Mercedes models you can lease.

However, if you purchase a used model for about 2 years, you could save up to $16,228 rather than buying a brand new model. This is because brand-new cars depreciate fast in their early years.

What Do the Reviews Say?

According to auto-express, the Mercedes-Benz GLC  is considered a refined ride that delivers smoothness on all sides. The GLC is at its best with its electric battery.

The first test was taken on the GLC 300 e plug-in hybrid achieving up to 80 miles from its 31kWh battery. It was also stated by AutoExpress that the 300e is the cable for achieving 565 mpg.

However, you will most likely need to depend solely on the battery. The GLC is not as sporty and entertaining to drive as its rivals.

The steering didn’t have a responsive feel, and neither did the brakes.  Its suspension also doesn’t absorb bumps efficiently, so the ride comfort was a bit below excellent.

A BMWX3 or Jaguar F-Pace does a better job. Thankfully, the GLC came with a lot of comforts for its passengers, ranging from the high-quality cabin to the remarkable technology and safety features.

Meanwhile, the GLC-Class is among the popular compact SUVs with V6 engines.

Go Back: Problems for all Mercedes models.

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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.