Mercedes-Benz GLC VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Mercedes-Benz GLC you are looking at. Then check its model year against 60 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWDCW1N

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

About the Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz has sold the GLC in the US since the 2016 model year, and there have been two generations. The X253 came first (2016–2022), and the X254 took over for 2023–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 60 vehicle recall campaigns and 792 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the X253. Its 2016 and 2017 model years alone account for 256 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the X253 at 17–25 mpg combined, while the X254, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 20–29 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2016–2026

GenerationsX253 · X254

NHTSA recall campaigns60

Owner complaints792 at NHTSA

Mercedes-Benz GLC photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mercedes-Benz GLC generations

Two generations since the 2016 model year. The X253 (2016–2022) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (43).

2 / 2

X254

2023–20262nd generation

Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201620202025

2023–2026· Generation 2 of 2

X254 · 2nd generation

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg20–29

NHTSA recalls18

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2023
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2023–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2023
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2023–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (71)Engine and cooling (33)Forward collision avoidance (27)4 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 152 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · X254W1NKM4HB?PU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC300 4MATIC, built in Sindelfingen, Germany

Check a GLC VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which GLC model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 60 campaigns on file for GLC model years 2016–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (20), ahead of the 2018 (15). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mercedes-Benz GLC owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2016 and 2017 hold 256 of the 792 complaints, or 32%. Tap any bar or generation.

792NHTSA complaints, 2016–2026

43mention a crash

17mention a fire

42injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearX254: 152 complaints · most for the 2023 (64)

Top complaint areas · X254

Mentions in 152 complaints, 2023–2026.

Electrical system71

Engine and cooling33

Forward collision avoidance27

Brakes16

Exterior lighting14

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)14

Crashes 9Fires 1Injuries 18

2023–2026 (X254)

NHTSA data summary

Electrical system owns this generation. Its 71 mentions are more than twice the next area, engine and cooling (33). Its first model year, the 2023, drew more complaints than any other (64 of 152).

What GLC owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2022 (1st generation, X253)

Complaint counts are modest for the GLC, so the data is thin. The 2016 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and the most common one is brakes that squeal or grind, with some owners also reporting check engine lights. Owners of the 2017 more often mention sunroof problems. CarComplaints lists steering wheel vibration, squealing brakes and a cracked piston for 2016, sputtering and tire wear for 2017, and an exploding panoramic sunroof and brakes that screech in the cold for 2019. Recalls cover the starter current limiter on 2016–2017 models, rear seat belt latch plates and roof panel bonding. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the starter, rear seat belt and roof panel recalls.
Ask for brake repair records.
Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for cracks.
On the drive, brake gently and firmly and listen for squealing, feel for steering wheel vibration and watch for a check engine light or hesitation.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

GLC complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and plug-in GLC versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

792complaints, 2016–2026

43mention a crash

17mention a fire

42injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2016 (141), 2017 (115), 2018 (99)

2016 · 141 complaints

Crashes 10 · fires 2 · injuries 6

Engine40

Service brakes29

Unknown or other23

Fuel/propulsion system18

Air bags12

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

GLC CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 69 GLC versions for model years 2016–2026 (gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 84 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

X2532016–2022

17–25 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 56–68 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 176–513 g/mi

X2542023–2026

20–29 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 31–64 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 84–444 g/mi

Model year2025

27combined MPG

323CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost

—/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

—Emission standard

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

GLC vs BMW X3 vs Audi Q5

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2023–2026. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the GLC, against 14 for the BMW X3 and 7 for the Audi Q5. Pick a range to compare.

Mercedes-Benz GLCX254

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 18
NHTSA owner complaints: 152
EPA combined mpg: 20–29
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 71
Engine and cooling 33
Forward collision avoidance 27

BMW X3

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 14
NHTSA owner complaints: 108
EPA combined mpg: 17–29
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 31
Forward collision avoidance 22
Steering 16

Audi Q5

Model years 2023–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 7
NHTSA owner complaints: 136
EPA combined mpg: 24–26
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 76
Electrical system 47
Brakes 24

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mercedes-Benz GLC VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a GLC

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Mercedes-Benz GLC (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before completing a GLC purchase, locate the VIN on the dashboard plate and cross-check it against the door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and trunk area secondary label. An engine bay stamp sits near the strut tower. The X254 generation starts with the 2023 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (P for 2023) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mercedes-Benz GLC VIN questions

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2016 leads with 141, ahead of the 2017 (115) and 2018 (99). Those first two alone make up 32% of the 792 GLC complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz GLC had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 60 vehicle campaigns for model years 2016–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, X253 leads with 43. Then come the X254 (18), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC recalls are high risk?

18V-208 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-905 and 19V-685 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 17V-114, 20V-776, 21V-961, 20V-364, 20V-651, 23V-878, 24V-115, 24V-520 and 1 more. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which GLC generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the X253 is 2016–2022 and the X254 2023–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (P is 2023).

What fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz GLC get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2023–2026 X254 at 20–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (31–64 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 17–25 mpg for the 2016–2022 X253 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mercedes-Benz GLC compare with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 on recalls?

For 2023–2026 models the GLC has 18 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW X3 has 14, the Audi Q5 7. Complaints run 152, 108 and 136 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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About the Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz GLC generations