2018 Mercedes Benz Glc Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Mercedes Benz Glc Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Crankcase ventilation valve malfunction (code P052E).” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Mercedes Benz Glc Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Crankcase ventilation valve malfunction (code P052E)

ENGINE

26 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2025-11

Check engine light came on with code P052E : Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499373
At 35,000 miles the check engine light came on, error message was checked at a Mercedes dealership and read a Crankcase Vent Valve malfunction. The malfunction causes issues with acceleration and causes a high RPM idle and accelerates engine wear
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527424
I have had to replace the faulty pcv valve in my vehicle every 11 months since I have owned it. At over $1,000 a piece and with this being a well known problem with this make of vehicle the company needs to fix this problem
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11571765

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Transmission shifting into Neutral while driving

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2025-12

Vehicle is switching gears automatically from Drive to Neutral in the middle of the road, in the middle of driving, VERY dangerous situation
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544396
The car does not go into drive from reverse and will sometime automatically shift itself from a low drive gear (D1) into Neutral without warning. After this happens - the car also can't get back into D1
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11676731
Transmissiongoes into neutral while driving car at times. sometimes it will not go back into gear No movement of car on freeway potential of being hit from behind
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11621613

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Panoramic sunroof shattering or trim panel detachment

STRUCTURE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2026-03

My panoramic sunroof shattered while I was driving on the highway. There was a loud, sonic noise, like a gunshot and the glass shattered. There were no large trucks near me and after checking the roof, there was no object on the roof that could have caused it
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531489
Driving at 70MPH on interstate and glass on top of roof in front of sunroof became separated and flew off of car. Part appears to be named Cover OSR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11514023
WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY DURING CLEAR SUNNY DAY ON 12/21/18 AT ABOUT 2:30 PM ON I-10 EAST JUST OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON WHEN MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUTWARD. NO SIGNS OF ANY DEBRIS BEING FLUNG UP OR STRIKING SUNROOF AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES CLOSE TO US AT THE TIME
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163043

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Rear seat belt latch plate retraction and buckle warnings

SEAT BELTS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2024-05

Rear seat belt latch plates (both driver and passenger side) retracted into the rear side paneling behind the seat. Both seat belts are now unusable. Issue occurred after rear seats were folded flat and then returned to upright position
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11568507
While driving and front driver seatbelt fastened, the seat belt unfastened warning will intermittently go on and off tightening the seat belt, as if first starting the car. This has occurred for several weeks now
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11482285

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M274 engine piston failure

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-11 → 2026-06

Complete engine failure after 55,000 miles determined that there was a broken piston #1 in the car. This required a complete engine replacement
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11555185
Component Failure: The vehicle is equipped with the M274 2.0L turbocharged engine, which suffered a major internal mechanical defect
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11741952

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Brake squeal and grinding noise at low speed

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2019-12

THE BRAKES SQUEAL VERY LOUD AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BRAKE HARD SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE THIS NOISE TEMPORARILY GO AWAY
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11157119
BREAKS CONTINUALLY SQUEAK IN REVERSE ON COLDER MORNINGS AT SLOW SPEEDS. EVEN IF THE CAR WARMS UP FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE LOUD SQUEAKING DOES NOT STOP
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096619

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Steering wheel clock spring failure with air bag warning

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2025-11

All of the buttons on my steering wheel including the horn stopped working. I hear a clicking noise when i turn the steering wheel and the passenger air bag light randomly goes on and off. This leads me to believe the clock spring is broken
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11535378
While driving my SUV, I turned a corner and I heard and felt a wire or wires pull and snap inside the steering wheel. I then found that I could not operate any of the controls on the steering wheel and the driver side airbag light came on with a disabled message on the display
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475794

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Unintended acceleration during parking maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2025-09

While pulling into a parking spot with my foot hovering above/on the break, the car lurched forward as if someone had floored the gas pedal
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687525
WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW SPEED, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING A WALL, WHICH DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I HIT THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349114

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

11 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Mercedes Benz Glc Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.