BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: reliability compared

From 2016 to 2026, owners filed an average of 78 complaints per model year about the BMW X3 and 60 about the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

Side by side

	BMW X3	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
Model years compared	2016-2026	2016-2026
Owner complaints	853	665
Complaints per model year	78	60
Recalls	46	54
Years to avoid	None stand out	None stand out
Best years	None stand out	2019 2021 2022
Most common problem	Electrical	Engine
Crash rating	4 2026	No data
Fuel economy	27-29 mpg combined (2026)	26-27 mpg combined (2026)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

BMW X3Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Problems compared

	X3	GLC 300
Electrical	245	129
Engine	211	207
Body	89	30
Driver assistance	80	52
Brakes	59	54
Transmission	57	48
Fuel system	47	90

Questions about the BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Which is more reliable, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?

Between 2016 and 2026, the BMW X3 has 0 years to avoid and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 0. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 drew fewer complaints per model year (60 vs 78), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?

From 2016 to 2026, the BMW X3 was covered by 46 recalls and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 by 54.

What years of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 should you avoid?

BMW X3: no year stands out. Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: no year stands out.

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