I have a same issue with my 3 month old 2023 GLC 300, Engine light came on and app wouldn't start, I have to go outside in cold temperature -30°C to start vehicle, I took to MB and they told that battery is draining because of cold weather and all electronic using by battery, and i have to drive at least 50K every day to keep battery more than 70% as per their instruction. after couple days engine light came ON again, little frustrated because they don't have remote starter. i hope sooner they will have solution for that.

 

i have same issue with my brans new 2023 GLC 300, battery low and engine sign came on, took to dealer and they advise that battery level is low and they charged and said that in cold weather you have to drive to keep battery level more than 70%, i drove at lease 50 K and engine light still ON, got little frustrated becasue in Alberta weather i have to go outside and start my vehicle, because if the engine light ON, vehicle will not start with app. MB doesn't have solution for this.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. So far, my 2021 GLC AMG 43 with 40,000 miles runs like a champ.

 

Hey guys, as I said in my previous post #22, if you are going to leave the car parked for more than a few days leave it in “standby” mode. I found this avoids these electrical problems.

 

Having owned various classes of Mercedes Benz since the 90's, electrical has always been somewhat of an issue. I don't know how well Mercedes in general would sell, if all electrical components and wiring had been completed by using Japanese parts.

 

Driving X miles a day is a band-aid. Mercedes can't figure out the issue. Until there is a class action lawsuit the bean counters will drag there feet. A battery should be able to sit for several months without an issue. Leave it at an airport for a week or so and hope. I keep a lithium charger in the car. My guest after number 2 today buy number 3 I'll lemon.law it I've already opened a case. I'd advise everyone also.

 

My issue got resolved with software update . Received letter from Mercedes regarding the same .

 

Hello, I too have just opened in a complaint with a safety
Complaints.

 

Can you be more specific about the letter you received? What exactly did it say?

 

Right I too would like to hear what that letter said. I have had my 24 GLC 300 in the dealership four times now with electrical problems of the same type.

 

Hi everyone. Same issue with my wife's 2023 GLC. In December, a couple of months after we bought it the engine fan started running when the car was off, threw trouble lights, check engine, etc. Took it to the dealership and they kept it for about two weeks. They did some updates and thing were good until yesterday and now we have the 12V battery issue. Back to the dealership today. Are people getting their issues resolved or are they just getting tired of complaining?
Speaking of complaining I looked at the NHTSA web page and I thought that there would be more complaints registered? I would encourage you to register complaints there. This may pressure MB to get going on these issues.

 

Take a look at the other thread “2023 GLC 12V battery low” for more information about this problem. Last week my dealer reprogrammed all the door modules and so far it looks like it may have solved this problem. I have a volt meter plugged into the 12 volt socket in the passenger foot well and the readings are looking more normal than before. Also when I put it into stand by mode it is saying that the battery will last 8 to 10 weeks (when in stand by).

 

Thanks I'll take a look! BTW where is that 12V socket at? Is it like a cigarette lighter?

 

Yes, like a cigarette lighter socket, a twin to the one in the trunk area. On the passenger side tucked up under the bottom of the dash between the console and glove box door. See page 123 in the 2023 operator’s manual.

 

Thanks again!!

 

Huh?

 

See post #22.

 

I had the engine light issued, and they did a software upgrade for the 48 V battery to fix it. It was fixed in February 2024 for my new 2023 GLC.
Today, April 15, as I was driving home, I suddenly saw a warning sign indicating that reversing was not possible—services were required while I was driving forward.
I stopped my car and continued to drive for less than a minute, and the same message appeared!!! So I drove to Mercedes Heritage. After hours of waiting, they wanted me to leave the car overnight just in case...
But, I am not too sure: what does it mean?
But everyone was done for the day, and my options were limited, so I left my car there, but when that " reversing is not possible, services required to sign" showed up, my car could not drive forward; it felt like Mercedes is forcing my brake on its own.
It reduced my speed from 60/KM to 20/KM forcefully, and I could not even pick up the speed if I wanted to.
It is scary...

 

I have the same problem with my 2019 Mercedes GLC300 for the past 4.5 years. Dealer's, need to drive the car for longer distance at least once a week.
Disconnect the bluetooth and use the vehicle for at least 20km in total at least twice a week, no issues with mine. Every time I activate the bluetooth my battery drains current. I suspect the car keeps communicating Mercedes continuously and your mobile phone. Hence, there is a curreent drain from the battery.

Padman

 

This may or may not have been previously discussed. If so, please excuse. I just bought a new GLC built in Nov 23.
I learned many cars and motorcycles ago to always put every new vehicle on a charger. New batteries get fluid added by the manufacturer and are not fully charged. Then they are put in a new build without ever being charged to full capacity. then the partially charged battery is used several times at most before they are sold to custmers several months later. None of this is good for any battery.

By the time I bought my GLC and drove home the AGM rated at 80ah was reading at less than 20% charge. It took almost 2 days charge @ 1.3 amps....do the math. So my brand new 80ah battery is now fully charged at about 60ah. Just imagine the havoc discharged batteries are causing to complex electronics. Good luck winning problems caused by a improperly maintained battery. Been there done that. Buy a good "smart charger" and connect every new battery you buy to it, then hook it up for a top-off charge a couple of times a year.

 

I had the same issue of getting messages that the battery is critical. The issue was not the battery, but turned out to be one of the controllers in the driver side front door remained active. This also caused other controllers needing to be reset, due to lights switching while driving at night. Or the full beam would automatically switch on, „blinding“ on coming traffic. The garage kept the car for just over a week running diagnostics which: - confirmed battery was not the problem - software update was required - faulty controller needed to be replaced - complete reset of the car‘s electronics Whilst I have not had a problem since, I am wary and still keep an eye the cars behavior.

 

According to the following link the hybrid GLC doesn't have an alternator and charges the battery while coasting or decelerating.

Several times we've done long freeway trips (8 hours +) using cruise control pretty much the entire time, and suffered the low voltage battery warning the next day.

I assume on those trips we're not coasting/decelerating enough to charge the battery (?)

 

https://www.mercedesbenzofeaston.co...brid-overview/?srsltid=AfmBOorFqRveyHHC2Bmwf4Lbcih_BICTJ2JGlWHZfrYgl4uR0cVWsN0h

 

I have a 2021 GLC-300. My battery issues began a few months after purchasing. This issue is very consistent and the car has been back and forth to the dealer several times in 2022, 2023, and 2024. They changed the battery three times. The last time was Dec 2023 and in Nov 2024 the issue started happening again.

While everyone here's case might differ, I've been dealing with this and documenting it for the past two years. I have never had an issue with my car not starting, however, I get the Low Battery warning if I don't drive my car for at least "20 minutes" each day. How so?

I relocated closer to my office about 3-4 months after I bought the car. During those 3-4 months, I had zero issues. My commute was 13 miles, 15-20 minutes each way. Once I moved, my commute was reduced to 3 miles, 5-7 minutes each way. This is when the problem began.

I don't drive much, I don't go anywhere and go home for lunch daily, therefore I'm driving on average 9-10 miles daily with stops at the grocery store included along the way.

If I do not deviate from my normal driving routine, EXACTLY on the 3rd day, the low battery message will appear in the app and on the dashboard once the vehicle has started. I'll then need to drive the car for at least 20 minutes to resolve this, and then in exactly 3 days it will reappear if I have not driven the REQUIRED 20 minutes.

I documented this, took photos of dash message, and time... I forwarded this to the dealer.
The first few times, I went, they could not find any issues. Then I realized that I likely was in between the 3 day cycle and needed to bring the car in when the message is scheduled to actually appear so that the mechanic see's the message on the dash when he starts the car.

Once I brought the car in when the message would appear, the had the car for a week trying to figure out the issue.

Their solution: Replace the Battery
Their reason: Customer does not drive the car often enough. If less than 10,000 miles is put on the vehicle each year, there will be damage to the battery and it will void the warranty...

I drive to work daily, come home for lunch daily, the car does not sit for long periods of time undriven, unless I decide not to leave the house on the weekend. I average 7K miles per year. Their explanation did not make any sense. What about all the cars sitting on the lot? Are they running, or driving those vehicle for 20 minutes daily?

I asked for it in writing from Mercedes but the dealer never sent it to me. I may have in on the service ticket and in email.

The last time they replaced the battery (Dec 2023), I thought the issue was resolved, but likewise, within a few weeks (Jan 2024) I was back with the same issue but this time, I saw moisture in the rear taillight housing. They replaced the taillight and the charging issues disappeared until Nov 2024. I thought that was the end of the issue until recently when the message started popping back up.


Unlike some of the other posters, I've never had an issue starting the car. It always starts without a problem, however, once that message appears, ALL remote APP functions are disabled. In the winter this sucks and I paid for MercedesMe services that I could not use. MB got slick and decided to charge their customers annually for the ability to remotely start their car. I can't remember the last car I owned in the past 20 years that I could not start remotely using the key fob.

Now, I'm scheduled to return to the dealer for this ongoing battery issue. There seems to be a pattern here, and more going on than MB is willing to admit to.

Most of you appear to have only had this issue occur shortly after purchasing the vehicle, in which case, the car sitting on the lot for long periods might've been the cause. However, those who are routinely having the issue should monitor the amount of time you are driving the car and the miles driven between each time the message appears in a similar fashion to what I have done.

I suspect that your results are likely similar to mine (I'm willing to bet that everyone with a 2021 model will have the exact same result as I if they drive less than 20 minutes total per day. I believe owners with this issue should band together for a Class Action Lawsuit. I've been dealing with this since 2021 and heading back to the dealer Monday for the same damn issue.

The dealer's salesmen keep calling trying to get me to trade up...

Seriously, while I love the car, do they really think I will buy another MB after dealing with battery issues since the year I bought it? Like I said, I don't drive much (2021 with only 28K mi), but that should not be causing battery issues if I drive the car daily, regardless of how far or how long.

YMMV

 

Just did a search and someone has already filed a class action lawsuit in the US for this very issue.
We are not alone. Not sure of the status yet, but wanted to share the details.

Jones et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC et al.
Filed: July 1, 2022 ◆§ 1:22-cv-02628

A proposed class action lawsuit claims that certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2022 suffer from a defect that can cause rapid battery drainage.

 

Is a 21 GLC a hybrid?

My 23 hybrid is booked into the dealer again but I have no confidence in a resolution.

 

Mine is not a hybrid. There's a class-action lawsuit out of Georgia regarding this. I spoke to the lawyers today. You should submit your information to them so that once this thing is settled, you'll be contacted with the details to determine if you qualify for a settlement. <link below>

I had no idea how widespread this was and have been dealing with this issue 6 months after I purchased it in 2021... So far I've had the battery replaced 3 times and have an appointment to drop my car off on Monday where I know they will replace it again. But it will only last 6-8 months before it too starts to fail. I will also file a complaint with the State Attorney General and anyone else with this issue should do the same. MB is not the same brand that it once was as quality and service have dropped significantly over the past 10-15 years despite the advances in technology and great-looking products. They need to be held to account, otherwise ALL of us will be paying for new batteries every 6-12 months once our warranties have expired.

I also have another unresolved issue that MB claims is normal. The sunshade in the rear does not close completely. There is a 1/4-inch gap that allows sunshine in. The dealer looked at similar models of the same year in their used lot and found it to be the same and deemed it to be normal. I have a claim into MB corporate but nothing has been done to confirm that it was designed this way or not. My issue with it is that I had a Caddy SRX where the sunroof motor failed leaving it wide open and then it started raining on me. My concern is that the motor is defective and may eventually fail. But still after many months, nothing from MB. All the new tech, new body styles, etc., is great, but at the end of the day, that old saying still rings true... "They don't make cars like they used to".

The problem with all 2021 MB models, is that they were built during COVID. Mine was built in 2020. This might explain the sunshade issue, but the charging issue has been going on for much longer from what I discovered here. Other than that, I've been mostly pleased with the car... with a few notable exceptions.

1. Being forced to pay an annual subscription to be able to remotely start your vehicle. (every other car I've owned in the last 15-20 years, including Lincoln, Lexus, Ford, Mercury and Honda had this on the key fob)
2. Can't remote start if the tank is less than 1/4

Not sure I'll buy another MB after the warranty expires because I will not be keeping this car once that happens, especially if they have not fully & verifiably resolved the charging issue. Hard to decide what to buy anymore, becuase they're all moving toward the subscription model and it seems as if everyone is having quality issues with massive recalls across brands. I left Caddy becuase of repair costs. $750 to replace a wiper motor. The motor cost $120. The service advisor did not look like she really wanted to show me the invoice and when she did, she was not surprised by my reaction and quickly said let me go find some coupons. They also failed to do a recall on defective headlights. A class action lawsuit resulted in a reimbursement for replacement. They did a staggered rollout by state and wouldn't you know it, the window my state was given was during COVID summer 2020. I ended up getting to the dealer about a month after that window closed and they refused to honor it.

The cost to replace the headlights. $1300 per side.

It wasn't that I couldn't afford it, I'm just not one for allowing people to separate me from my hard-earned money just becuase they can. In less than a month, I was driving a Mercedes , I'm kind of slightly regretting it and now wondering what to buy next if MB doesn't resolve this issue before 2026 when my warranty expires .

Jones et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC et al.
Filed: July 1, 2022 ◆§ 1:22-cv-02628

Mercedes Benz Battery Drain Failures – Lieff Cabraser

www.lieffcabraser.com

 

My 2023 GLC300 (mild hybrid) had the starter battery issue twice. I don’t drive it much. I took delivery 18 months ago and just went over 2,600 miles. When it happened the time, about 4 months ago, the dealership suggested it was due lack of use. They said the car needs to be driven regularly to maintain the charge. in the IT world we call this “blame the user”. I mentioned that I’d never had the problem with any previous car, including the 2022 GLC300. They said the advanced electronics in the 2023 changed things. So I went and drove the car for an hour and that seemed to fix the issue.

Then I got the ”critically low“ message 3 weeks ago. So I drove the car for about an hour and the message disappeared. 2 days later the message came back. I called the dealership and got the same deflection as before. This time they included that if the battery had drained sufficiently one of the cells may have been damaged and the battery may need to be replaced. I brought the car to the dealership. While it was being looked at the advisor came out and ran through the “blame the user” script. He also asked about a code reader that I’d installed in an effort to diagnose the battery problem. He tried to blame the battery drain on it, saying that they constantly read various systems, placing a drain on the battery. I explained that I installed the reader to figure out the battery problem. Having deflected his arguments he left. An hour later he returned. This time there was a different story. Per the advisor, when the car is turned off it runs a check on all of the various systems and then shuts down. In my case it seems this check got stuck in a loop. Something was causing the check to run continuously. This is what was draining the battery, not the lack of driving. He said they performed an update and verified that the check loop ran once and then shut down completely.

That was 2 weeks ago and the message has not appeared since. Schools still out…
Kyle

 

You're right Kyle, the battery issue isn't from lack of driving. We've received the warning a day after driving an 8 hour trip!

Let's hope you've finally found a cure.

 

I’m moving into Week 3 after the “update”. Still no battery alerts. Still have my fingers crossed 🤣