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Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 fuel smell problems

21 of the 665 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
21
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
35,300
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Fuel system · DE

Independent service company said the car has a raw fuel smell under the vehicle. Signs of fuel leak at the connection between the high pressure fuel rail / high pressure fuel pump line. Mentioned a recall campaign of 2022030003. That addresses this issue. I contacted Mercedes Benz dealers (2) and they said my VIN does not show a recall. The recall does show up online via an AI search and it is supposed to cover 2016-2020 GLCs like ours. Don't know why this is. Can you help?

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The engine starts shaking, smell of gas car than stops while driving, could caused an accident and severely injured someone on the freeway. This is a major safety issue after further researching this particular issue MB of Canada issue a warranty letter extension for this particular but nothing for US.

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · Fuel system · 60,814 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while receiving routine maintenance, the mechanic noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the fuel injectors had failed and that the fuel rail needed to be replaced. The mechanic provided the contact with information related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); for the fuel rails and fuel injectors. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 60,814.

Filed Sep 20, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) To whom It May Concern, Complaint through your dealer, regional MB and state AG. Going through MBUSA is a waste of time. You would be better off going to Sears and buying a shiny new hammer and banging your head every hour on the hour. A little over a year ago, I Purchase a previously owned 2016 GLC300 from a local DGDG dealership in San Jose CA. for the past few month, I started experiencing a heavy fuel odor generated from the fuel rail and fuel injectors. I initiated a leak detection to verify the above-mentioned defect. I became aware the Mercedes Benz has a major issue with the fuel rail and fuel injectors that caused a safety & emission recall campaign 2022030003 that is launched to replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors on 139 Model Year 2016-2020 that included my car GLC-class vehicle. To my surprise my car VIN number was not listed and flagged in this campaign. According to the campaign issue, a leak may develop between the fuel line and the fuel injectors due to trapped debris from the production process, which could affect the safety and emissions of the vehicle. according to the documents of the campaign, trapped debris might damage the seal between the fuel rail and fuel injectors, which over the life of the vehicle, might result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment. I informed Mercedes Bens that my vehicle fuel rail line and fuel injectors have shown to have a safety manufacture failure. Leaking fuel from this area might contact hot parts of the engine and therefore the risk of fire cannot be ruled out. It seems that the fuel pressure deviation has exceeded the thresholds because the fuel odor is perceptible to me. I had an appointment with Mercedes Benz of Stevens Creek, and they established that my vehicle VIN number was not affected by the recall even though the defects exist on my vehicle. I reached out to Mercedes Benz USA, LLC and filed case # [XXX] but they elected not to take responsibility to repair my ca INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

Strong gasoline smell coming from the engine bay every morning at start up. I removed protective plastic lining from the under carriage to identify the issue. I identified a lot of gasoline dripping from the top portion of the engine compartment where the High Pressure Fuel Pump is located. There was no warning or check engine lights that alerted of this issue of a gasoline leak. This is very dangerous as it could cause the vehicle to catch fire.

Filed May 23, 2024 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that she detected an abnormally strong fuel odor after parking the vehicle, and while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I brought my vehicle in to get serviced because the check engine light came on and I was told it was CODE PRESENT P0521E71 VALVE FOR CRANK CASE VENT. HAS MALFUNCTION / BLOCKED. I was told I have warranty on it so Mercedes of Massapequa took the car to fix.I was told the part was fixed but oil was found on my engine computer from the crank case vent malfunctioning but the warranty won't cover it although it was a direct result of a part that was covered part and had caused the damage.They gave me my car back and my car is worse it has problems starting it requires multiple cranks and the air conditioner has a fuel smell when turned on and I am unable to pass my vehicle inspection because my check engine light it still on.I spoke to the corporate office and they said because I have too many miles they can't do a courtesy and honor the cost and referred me back to the dealer and the dealer told me they will bring the cost to fix the computer leak to $6000 although it was due to a faulty part on their behalf .I am beyond upset my car is non longer reliable or safe to drive.Mercedes of massapequa ignored all my calls after they gave me back my vehicle that was worse after they claimed they fixed it.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Fuel system · MD

Smell of gas

Filed Jan 3, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NY

After noticing my engine light come on, I had my vehicle checked out, the dealer informed (after spending $250.00) that the problem is the crankcase ventilation and it's a common problem. It seems the oh so familiar crankcase ventilation system is not working. This is a common problem with the GLC300 and Mercedes Benz needs to correct it. The engine is not being ventilated properly and the overwhelming smell of gasoline engulfs the interior of the vehicle. This is putting mine and the life of my family at risk, due to a faulty manufacturer issue. Mecedes Benz needs to obviously correct the faulty parts they use as soon as possible, before someone loses their life.

Filed Nov 24, 2023 · NY

I own a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 and I’ve noticed that a strong gas smell when I start the car during cold weather. You notice the smell outside and inside the cabin as well as it comes in through the vents.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 21, 2023 · 79,676 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑445.

Recall number 23V880000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 21, 2023 · 7 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC300, 2024 GLE350, and GLE450 vehicles equipped with an M254 engine. The incorrect screws, installed on the high-pressure fuel pump, may prevent a proper seal from forming between the high-pressure fuel pump and the tandem oil pump.
Risk
An inadequate seal can allow fuel and oil to leak onto the road, creating a hazard for other road users and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a fuel and oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.

Recall number 23V878000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported June 26, 2023 · 143,551 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.

Recall number 23V445000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel railReported December 13, 2021 · 139 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

Recall number 21V961000 · Recall details

Questions about the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 fuel smell

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 years have gas smell in the cabin problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (12 complaints), 2017 (6 complaints) and 2021 (2 complaints).

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