What 30 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 Mercedes-benz Gl-class

My 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has experienced multiple serious safety-related malfunctions involving several vehicle systems. In August, after picking up the vehicle from service, I placed my [XXX] grandson in his car seat, set my purse with the key inside the vehicle, and closed the rear door. The vehicle immediately locked all doors on its own, trapping my grandson inside in approximately 88-degree temperatures. I was unable to gain access for about 30 minutes. This created a dangerous child safety situation. Key fob periodically will lock you out of car. The following day, while driving approximately 35 mph with my [XXX] grandson in the vehicle, the car suddenly and violently applied the brakes and tightened the seatbelt without warning or any obstacle present. The vehicle came to a complete stop in the roadway. I later experienced bruising and increased neck pain afterward. I have also experienced repeated power liftgate malfunctions. While loading groceries, the liftgate failed to recognize my presence and closed on me unexpectedly, striking my head. The vehicle was brought in for service in November regarding this issue. Additionally, while driving on the highway, both side mirrors have suddenly folded inward without warning on several occasions, causing immediate loss of visibility and creating a serious driving hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11736573

The contact owns a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake was applied unexpectedly without the contact depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that she was unsure if the forward collision system was turned on at that time. The driver's seat belt tightened, and she sustained a bruise on her left arm and soreness on her chest. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they were not able to replicate the failure. On another occasion, while parked, the tailgate was opened as groceries were being loaded into the rear cargo area. The tailgate closed inadvertently and struck the contact's head. The contact sustained head and neck injuries, and medical attention was required. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of both failures and advised that the automatic tailgate closing feature could be removed from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 31,153

NHTSA ODI 11735615

While carrying my carbon fiber bicycle on a rear hitch mounted bicycle carrier, the vehicle severely and violently applies the brakes and swerves either left or right or both. This catastrophic maneuver has put me and other drivers in a non avoidable highly calamity. This “AUTO” maneuver happens dozens of times in during a fifteen mile trip to local bicycle trails. Dealer replaced the Trailer Recognition Module 9-24-2025. As expected, dangerous situation remains. Happens every opportunity when carrying bicycles. First exhibited after purchase 6-29-2024 to current.

NHTSA ODI 11690219

I am experiencing auto braking when there are no obstructions near or around the vehicle. The auto braking is random but occurs fairly often. It is very unsettling and makes me very nervous while driving my brand new vehicle. This happens without warning and can definitely put myself and my passengers as well as passengers in the vehicles around me at great risks of collisions.

NHTSA ODI 11645213

The reverse sensors are faulty, causing the GLC300 model to randomly auto-brake while going in reverse. My driveway is flat and long with no significant grade changes and this has occurred at another location as well with similar topography. There are no obstructions present nor any significant grade changes, the vehicle auto-brakes not everytime, happens out of the blue once every 8-12 tries. My new vehicle has been checked out by Mercedes-Benz of Cary service department 2 times, since buying new April 2024. They brought my car out to my house themselves and experienced the auto-braking first hand. They brought out a second GLC300 and it auto-braked as well. The technicians have calibrated, and updated the sensors to no avail. My driveway is long and flat with a slight slope at the end, but it happened to me at my friends house who's driveway is all flat. This is a serious safety risk for me and all passengers. It makes everyone tense not knowing next time it may happen. No matter the revering speed, or if you keep your foot on brake lightly as you are backing up, the glc300 randomly will auto-brake without any warning lights or sounds. The tires screech, it locks up in an instant. It is frightening and we are scared to anticipate the next occurrence or risk bruising our body or head injury. Even when I manually over-ride the rear and/or surrounding sensors, turning them off temporarily as I back up in reverse- the car will still auto-brake. Mercedes has yet to agree with me that this is a safety issue and on 11/8 asked me to pick up the car. I refused until the issue is fixed. They still have my car in service, it has been 3 weeks since 10/18/24. This was the 2nd time I brought in in for this issue since I bought new March 30 2024. I called corporate to ask them to buy back the car if the issue cannot be fixed, they have yet to respond.

NHTSA ODI 11624989