The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 29, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 23 to 25 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC year is 2011.

29Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.4× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2011 · Worst year 2016

Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC
Photo shows a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints22first 3 years
Fuel economy23–25 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 64 owner complaints, owners reported:

4crashes
3injuries
4fires
5tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical45%
engine18%
communication14%
wipers & visibility9%
transmission & drivetrain9%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 27K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 60K miles on the car (19 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 12

  • lights 2024

    The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic.

  • body structure 2023

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.

  • electrical 2022

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Show all 12 recalls
  • fuel system, gasoline 2021

    During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

  • body structure 2021

    The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro.

  • communication 2021

    On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.

  • electrical 2021

    Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.

  • equipment 2019

    The passenger side sun visor may have incorrect air bag warning labels, written in a foreign language.

  • steering 2019

    The electrical connection between the power steering electric motor and the control unit may fail, resulting in the loss of electric power steering assist.

  • seat belts 2019

    Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as bein.

  • airbags 2018

    The status of the passenger side air bag may not display correctly.

  • steering 2018

    An internal sensor within the electric power steering unit may fail, deactivating the power steering assist.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 271 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Failure of stereo multifunction camera
  • Rattling noises in area of 2-stage turbocharger, OM651
  • Model series 253: Time/date and trip computer reset and/or check engine light in instrument…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
  • ClosedFront roof panel detachment2021

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mercedes-Benz GLC350e SUV 4WDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $3200–3450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

The command system keeps turning off and rebooting while driving. Sometime it makes the rear camera don’t work(blackout), auto on/off does not work, it happens about every two minutes making it dangerous.

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC owner · NHTSA complaint 11485136
More owner reports

Mercedes states that the update will happen over air but they don't tell me when or how long it will take to happen. It is a simple update and I need the recall off my car.

NHTSA complaint 11408485

Quick answers

Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 29; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC year by this measure is 2011.

What are the most common 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (45%), engine (18%) and communication (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC have?

12 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC get?

23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC cost in fuel a year?

About $3200 to $3450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC have?

2.0L 4-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC year is better than the 2019?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data