NHTSA Defect Petition: Malfunction Indicator Light / No-start in 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (DP23-003)
Opened July 25, 2023 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
NHTSA opened a defect petition review (DP23-003) on July 25, 2023 into malfunction indicator light / no-start in 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The investigation is closed on May 20, 2024.
DP23-003 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | DP23-003 |
|---|---|
| Type | Defect Petition |
| Opened | July 25, 2023 |
| Status | Closed May 20, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
| Component | Power Train |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Resulting recall | None listed |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
In a letter dated July 2, 2023, Aldelberto A.
Cordova (the petitioner) submitted a petition requesting that NHTSA initiate an investigation of an alleged defect within the "ISG 48-volt on-board electrical system," which resulted in warning light illumination as well as an inability to start the vehicle in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300.
ODI reviewed the petition, complaint data in NHTSA's databases and information gathered from an Information Request (IR) letter sent to Mercedes-Benz.
Examination of this information indicates that the subject component listed in the petition is not capable of causing the a loss of motive power.
The alleged defect cited in the petition was caused by a software deviation in the Central Powertrain Controller (CPC), which is a separate system and independent of the 48-volt system.
After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Mercedes-Benz, NHTSA does not find that a formal investigation is warranted.
Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.
As with all potential motor vehicle safety risks, NHTSA will continue to review any new information or incidents as they are submitted to the Agency.
A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA's reasons for denial of the petition will be published in the future.
The petition and its attachments can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference ODI number 11533472.
What is a defect petition review?
Defect Petition is a review of a petition, usually filed by an owner, asking NHTSA to open a defect investigation. NHTSA decides whether to grant or deny it.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
NHTSA closed this investigation on May 20, 2024 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mercedes-Benz | GLC 300 |
What are Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 55 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Door Lock Recall (26V481)
- 2024-2026 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 4MATIC Cabriolet Instrument Cluster Recall (26V281)
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC Rear Seat Belt Recall (26V172)
- 2023-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Steering Fastener Recall (25V533)
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Headlight Recall (25V365)
- 2023-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Roof Recall (25V379)
- 2023-2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 53 4MATIC Fuses and Circuit Breakers Recall (25V255)
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Differential Recall (24V862)
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Seat Fastener Recall (24V808)
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Frame Recall (24V658)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.