2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Trailer Hitch Recall (23V629)

Recall 23V629 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 in recall 23V629?

The front tow eye may be inadequately threaded to the crossmember and can detach during towing.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 GLC300 vehicles. The front tow eye may be inadequately threaded to the crossmember and can detach during towing.

Is it safe to drive a 2023 GLC 300 with recall 23V629?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A detached tow eye can separate the vehicle from the tow truck, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached tow eye can separate the vehicle from the tow truck, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the trailer hitches.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V629?

Recall 23V629 covers 12,118 vehicles: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

NHTSA lists 12,118 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the GLC 300 trailer hitch recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the front crossmember, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the front crossmember, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023090010/120002.

When was recall 23V629 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 23V629 to NHTSA on September 11, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 26, 2024.

This recall was filed 37 months ago. If your GLC 300 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my GLC 300 is part of recall 23V629?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V629 is open on your GLC 300, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 GLC 300 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should GLC 300 owners do about recall 23V629?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V629000 applies to your GLC 300.
2. Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the trailer hitches happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are GLC 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the other equipment.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 55 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the other equipment. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 55 complaints in total, 8 about the other equipment

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

Vehicle shut down while driving. Warning lights illuminate, check engine light, do not shift into gear warning, 48v battery warning, etc. Would not stop alarming. Could not shut off car. Could not put car into park. Could not start car. Warning buzzer would go off entire time.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, OR, NHTSA complaint 11537315, filed August 8, 2023

Brand new car that had less than 1500 miles on it, one day went to start it while 20 miles away from home and error messages in dash and beeping "48V battery error, do not change transmission position, reduced functionality of driver assistance features…etc." and car would not start, could not turn steering wheel.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11538778, filed August 15, 2023

Unknown: Driving on Route I 71 south in Cincinnati going CVG to pick up wife. 60-70 MPH. All systems normal.Suddenly out of blue , Brakes slam on 3-3 seconds seatbelt locks on and car deaccelerates with no warning , no lights , no registered failure. Belt compression severe, almost brushing strength.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11551129, filed October 21, 2023

Can recall 23V629 make my GLC 300 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 23V629000 does not automatically make your GLC 300 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

What matters for a lemon law claim is not the recall label but whether the defect substantially impairs the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and whether the dealer can fix it in a reasonable number of tries.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V629