Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLC vs Mercedes BENZ S Class
How the Mercedes BENZ GLC and Mercedes BENZ S Class compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ GLC vs Mercedes BENZ S Class: The GLC has 760 complaints over 10 years (76/yr) vs the S Class's 171 (17/yr). GLC issues center on engine and electrical problems, while S Class complaints involve driver assistance and brakes. The S Class has no recalls, but the GLC has three. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLC or Mercedes BENZ S Class more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLC
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a compact luxury SUV that, based on owner complaints, tends to be a source of frequent electronic and engine-related headaches. With an average of 76 complaints per year over the past decade, owners report a range of issues from check engine lights and charging failures to more serious concerns like sudden loss of power and warning messages. The high number of complaints, especially in the engine and electrical system, suggests that while the GLC offers a premium driving experience, it may require more trips to the dealership than some buyers expect.
Mercedes BENZ S Class
The Mercedes-Benz S Class is a full-size luxury sedan that, according to NHTSA data, has a much lower complaint rate, averaging about 17 complaints per year. However, the complaints that do exist often involve advanced driver assistance systems and brakes, which can be unsettling for a vehicle in this class. Owners report issues like unintended deceleration with adaptive cruise control, harsh shifting, and occasional engine misfires, indicating that even the flagship model has its share of electronic and mechanical gremlins, though less frequently than the GLC.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLC | Mercedes BENZ S Class |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 760 | 171 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 | 0 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 39 | 6 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 76.0 | 17.1 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 33 | 7 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ GLC
- 01ENGINE229
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM180
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER142
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM68
- 05POWER TRAIN56
Owners report check engine lights, charging failures, and multiple error codes including engine and transmission communication faults. Some describe the car as 'unsafe to drive' due to shaking and loss of power.
Battery voltage warnings, flashing 'Service Required' messages, and a strong odor entering the cabin are common. These issues can leave owners stranded or concerned about safety.
Complaints include poor acceleration, hesitation, and bad gas mileage. One owner noted the car would not accelerate and had to be serviced multiple times without a clear fix.
“Brand new car Engine light also went on and off 3 or more times in one day, car had a charging failure wouldn't charge - Sold me an unsafe vehicle to drive - shaking tires, steering wheel, Car also has 13 codes including engine and transmission failure commun…”
“2023 Mercedes Benz GLC 300. Several Electrical, Braking, Collision, Check Battery related issues noted. At approximately 500 miles on vehicle battery system began sending critical voltage error messages to notification app after the vehicle had been turned of…”
Mercedes BENZ S Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE30
- 03SERVICE BRAKES23
- 04ENGINE23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
Harsh shifting between gears and unintended deceleration with cruise control are reported. These issues can be jarring and potentially dangerous in traffic.
The system may misread speed limit signs, causing sudden speed changes. In eco mode, the vehicle can shut off at stop lights, requiring a restart.
One owner reported the brake pedal being difficult to use, while another experienced a low tire sensor issue that led to a pull-off. Brake-related complaints are relatively few but serious.
“I am reporting a recurring transmission/drivability issue with my 2024 Mercedes-Benz S580. The vehicle has been experiencing a harsh, abnormal shift between approximately 3rd and 4th gear at around 25–35 mph during normal acceleration. The shift feels like a…”
“While driving on highways using cruise control and adaptive cruise control the vehicle decelerates without driver input. The system also misreads or fails to update speed limit signs causing incorrect cruise speeds and sudden speed changes. This behavior has…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ GLC — 3 recalls
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2025 GLC 300, GLC 300 4MATIC, 2024-2025 AMG GLC 43 4MATIC, 2025 GLC 350E 4MATIC, and AMG GLC 63 S E vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. In certain crash scenarios, where the rear occupant's head contacts the C-pillar, the pillar may n…
The risk: In the event of a crash, insufficient impact protection can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will modify the roof lining and C-pillar trim, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack.
The risk: A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Ve…
Mercedes BENZ S Class
No recalls on record.
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ GLC or Mercedes BENZ S Class: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz S Class has significantly fewer complaints per year (17.1) compared to the GLC (76.0), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. While both vehicles have their problems, the S Class appears to be more reliable in terms of owner-reported complaints, though its issues with driver assistance systems and brakes are worth noting.
Key differences
- The GLC has over four times the annual complaint rate of the S Class (76 vs 17 per year).
- GLC complaints are dominated by engine and electrical issues, while S Class complaints focus on driver assistance and brakes.
- The S Class has no recalls on record, while the GLC has three recalls for body, steering, and electrical components.
- Both vehicles have reports of sudden power loss, but the GLC's are more frequent and varied.
- Check for any check engine light or charging system warnings, as these are common and may indicate underlying electrical or engine problems.
- Inspect the vehicle's service history for repeated visits related to acceleration or fuel system issues.
- Test the adaptive cruise control and forward collision avoidance systems to ensure they do not cause unintended deceleration or speed changes.
- Listen for harsh shifts between 3rd and 4th gear, especially around 25-35 mph, and check for any engine misfires during acceleration.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for any open recalls on the GLC.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine and electrical systems for the GLC, and on brakes and driver assistance for the S Class.
- Test drive both vehicles on the highway to experience how the adaptive cruise control behaves.
- Ask about any software updates that may address known issues with the GLC's battery or the S Class's transmission.
- Consider an extended warranty, especially for the GLC, given its higher complaint rate.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ GLC | Mercedes BENZ S Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 15 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 | 121 | 12 |
| 2022 | 59 | 46 |
| 2021 | 61 | 33 |
| 2020 | 149 | 7 |
| 2019 | 134 | 16 |
| 2018 | 99 | 29 |
| 2017 | 115 | 22 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ GLC or Mercedes BENZ S Class in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLC vs Mercedes BENZ S Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLC total complaints
- 760
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total complaints
- 171
- Mercedes BENZ GLC total recalls
- 3
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total recalls
- 0
- Mercedes BENZ GLC avg complaints/year
- 76.0
- Mercedes BENZ S Class avg complaints/year
- 17.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ S Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLC top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Mercedes BENZ S Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM