What weaknesses does the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 have?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 197–211 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M254 (2022–2025, Be Careful) und M254 (2022–2025, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GLC 200!

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 252–258 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M254 (2022–2025, Be Careful) und M254 (2022–2025, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GLC 300!

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupé (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 252–258 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M254 (2023–2025, Be Careful) und M254 (2023–2025, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GLC 300 Coupé!

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Performance (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 476 PS) has the M139L (2.0L Turbo + E-Motor) — rated: "Be Careful", 12 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 313 PS) has the M254 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupé (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 313 PS) has the M254 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 e (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 252 PS) has the M254 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 194–197 PS) has the OM654M (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d Coupé (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 194–197 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM654M (2023–2025, Be Careful) und OM654M (2023–2025, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GLC 220d Coupé!

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300d (Diesel Mild-Hybrid, 269 PS) has the OM654 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 11 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300de (Diesel Plug-in-Hybrid, 335 PS) has the OM654M (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

	Weakness	Cost
✖	False emergency braking in snowfall Faulty parking sensors and camera systems trigger false warnings. In snowfall, the emergency brake assist activates unintentionally. Symptoms: Autonomous braking without obstacle, false obstacle warning, sign recognition incorrect from 10,000 km Ad GLC X254 Notbremsassistent Update	Low
!	MBUX software faults and assistance system failures The MBUX system freezes or becomes unresponsive. Assistance systems can be permanently deactivated. OTA updates often only temporarily relieve the symptoms. Symptoms: Touchscreen unresponsive, camera stays black, assistance systems permanently failed Ad MBUX Update GLC C254	Medium
!	MBUX Software Instability and Crashes MBUX system shows sporadic crashes, sluggish responses and connection drops, especially in early production months. Software updates at the workshop frequently needed. Symptoms: Display freezes, black screen, voice control unresponsive, navigation drops out Ad MBUX head unit GLC X254 Infotainment control unit GLC 2022	Low
!	Driver Assistance Systems and Sensors Faulty Park assist detects non-existent obstacles, brake assist brakes without reason in snowfall, blind spot monitor fails. False alarms can trigger dangerous situations. Symptoms: Unprovoked full braking, parking beeps without obstacle, blind spot warning permanently off Ad Radar sensor GLC X254 Front radar GLC 2022 Ultrasonic sensor parking system GLC	Medium
!	MBUX system overheats and fails The MBUX system gets very hot on longer journeys. The display shows visual noise or goes black in heat. The fault disappears after cooling down. Symptoms: Display shows coloured noise or goes black, warm air from display area from 20,000 km Ad GLC X254 MBUX Display	Medium
●	MBUX Software Faults and Camera Failure Early C254 models show software faults: rear camera stays black, driver assistance fails, screen freezes. Usually resolvable after OTA updates. Symptoms: Rear camera shows no image. Screen freezes. Distronic and lane-keeping assist report errors. from 15,000 km Ad MBUX GLC C254 Kameracontrol unit A2139008614	Medium

NHTSA Owner Complaints

Above Average

11 complaints · 2022–2025

Electrical

8 ⚠ 1

Collision Avoidance

3 ⚠ 1

Seats

2 ⚠ 1

Brakes

2 ⚠ 2

Other

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Electrical (8 complaints)

⚠ Collision Avoidance (3 complaints)

⚠ Seats (2 complaints)

Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

Alternatives

Same Segment

Fiat 600e 600

Kompakt-SUV (2023–2026)

Same Segment

Hyundai Kona SX2

Kompakt-SUV (2023–2026)

Same Segment

Smart #1 HX11

Kompakt-SUV (2023–2026)

Same Segment

Volvo EX30 I

Kompakt-SUV (2023–2026)

Same Segment

Alfa Romeo Tonale 965

Kompakt-SUV (2022–2024)

Same Segment

BMW X1 U11

Kompakt-SUV (2022–2026)

Known Problems and Issues

A total of 51 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 (2022–2025) — 40 engine-related and 11 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Other, Suspension, Interior. Considered reliable: M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG).

GLC (M254, 2022–2025) — Be Careful: Oil Consumption from Piston Rings (Early Production), Timing Chain — Rattle and Premature Wear, Exhaust Valves Defective — Cylinder Head Damage. Power: 197–211 PS.

GLC (M254, 2022–2026) — Be Careful: Oil Consumption from Piston Rings (Early Production), Timing Chain — Rattle and Premature Wear, Exhaust Valves Defective — Cylinder Head Damage. Power: 197–211 PS.

GLC (M139L, 2023–2026) — Be Careful: Recall Gearbox Wiring — Harness Too Short, Recall Main Fuse Box — 80A Fuse Defective, Recall HV Starter Generator — Software Fault. Power: 476 PS.

GLC (OM654, 2022–2025) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm and Camshaft Wear, Electric Coolant Pump Leaking — Recall, NOx Sensor Defective — AdBlue Fault and Start Inhibit. Power: 269 PS.

GLC (OM654M, 2022–2025) — Be Careful: Coolant Pump Recall — Fire Hazard, Tandem Oil Pump Failure, Potential Rocker Arm Wear. Power: 194–197 PS.

GLC (OM654M, 2022–2025) — Be Careful: Coolant Pump Recall — Fire Hazard, Tandem Oil Pump Failure, Potential Rocker Arm Wear. Power: 335 PS.

What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz GLC? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 have? +

The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 has 40 known engine weaknesses and 11 vehicle weaknesses.

What should I look for when buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLC X254? +

faq.watch_a_solid

Which engine is recommended? +

Good choice: M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG). The most reliable engine is the M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the M139L (2.0L Turbo + E-Motor).

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 engine is the most reliable? +

The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 6 known weaknesses to be aware of.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 engine is the most fun? +

The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} 350 kW system output in the SUV — the electric motor on the rear axle delivers instant thrust that no turbocharged V8 can match. Absurdly fast in a straight line; the weight makes itself felt only in tight corners. Drift mode in an SUV remains an experience.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 worth buying used? +

The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 is a good choice as a used car — 1 of 5 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.

What horsepower variants are available for the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254? +

The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 is available with engine variants from 116 to 680 hp. Petrol: M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG), M254 (2.0L Turbo), M139L (2.0L Turbo + E-Motor). Diesel: OM654 (2.0L Diesel), OM654M (2.0L Diesel).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee