Brake complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 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 2024 Mercedes Benz GLC 300. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a wall, another vehicle, and two poles where it came to stop when crashing into the second pole. During the unintended acceleration, the contact depressed the brake pedal to control the vehicle however it failed to respond. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained chest, neck, and back injuries and an ambulance transported her to a hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic by the insurance company. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
3/31/26 2pm After highway driving - 3 miles/35 mph tried to brake- Immediately something was wrong with the brake as and it felt spongy/mushy/unresponsive. Car did not slow until I pressed the brake fully to the floor. The car did stop &was alarmingly unresponsive. Around this time,noticed the white BRAKE light illuminated. Continued to drive - terrified. Had to brake VERY HARD to get car to slow/stop. at home, Quick google search had me try turning on and off parking brake - tied this 5-6 times and white BRAKE light went off and I could brake/stop car. Bought car to Mercedes for service for 4:20 appointment - expressing incredibly strong reservations to Will Bane -and fear about driving car. He assured me as it is braking it should be fine. 04/01/2026 -notified car was ready for pick up/text stated: "Service is complete, everything looked good on the inspection report. …
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal felt as if it had released, and the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
On [redacted], I was driving at 45MPH on a two-lane state road. There was no traffic within 1/4 -1/2 mile of me on that road. There were no guardrails and the road was clear - no birds, animals, people, or construction. For no reason, the car beeped twice and automatically slammed on the brakes so forceful that everything on a seat landed on the floor. Had there been a vehicle behind me, they would have almost certainly slammed into me. This is my second safety report with this vehicle, the previously reported lane keeping assist still allows me to depart my lane with no correction or indication by the system, the dashboard indicators remain green if I depart my lane without a turn signal. It has been in 5 times for this and Mercedes closed the case. They say it's fine. …
I was involved in a severe front-end collision where my vehicle struck another vehicle with significant force. Despite the major impact, the front airbags did NOT deploy. The entire front end of the vehicle was crushed, including destruction of the radiator, damage to engine components, internal structural collapse, and leaking fluids. Based on the severity and direct frontal nature of the crash, airbags should have deployed but did not. As a result of the impact, I sustained a neck and upper shoulder injury and required medical evaluation. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the crash indicating any malfunction in the airbag or SRS system. The vehicle is available for inspection by NHTSA, the manufacturer, insurance, or an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center. This appears to be a possible failure of the airbag/SRS system during a qualifying collision.
My vehicle got stuck on a EPB(electronic parking brake) and I was unable to disengage it. I tried a few things and none worked. I contacted Mercedes to tow it to the dealer and the tow truck came and driver had to "drag" my vehicle on to the flatbed. My car has been at Mercedes for 5 days now and they gave me a response saying that they are having a hard time trying to disengage the EPB. I'm aware of a EPB recall but my model is specified as being a part of it, however the issue is closely related to the recall so please take further interest in my situation because it could be the start of a new recall. The dealer says they have tried and failed to disengage it. My car was working just fine so please take further look at a possible software glitch for the EPB.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLC300 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (27), 2023 (7) and 2018 (5) model years. Brake complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz GLC300 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Mercedes-Benz GLC300 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz GLC300 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles; 97% happened before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.