2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Engine Fastener Recall (23V878)

Recall 23V878 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 in recall 23V878?

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.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2023 GLC 300 with recall 23V878?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your GLC 300 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the critical fasteners, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V878?

Recall 23V878 covers 7 vehicles: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300; 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350; 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450.

NHTSA lists 7 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 engine fastener recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge.

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.

Manufacturer recall number: 2024010008.

When was recall 23V878 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 23V878 to NHTSA on December 21, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 9, 2024.

This recall was filed 33 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 23V878?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V878 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 23V878?

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 23V878000 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. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
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 problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are GLC 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 16 of them about the engine.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 72 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 16 of them involve the engine. 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, 15 about the engine
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: 10 complaints in total, 0 about the engine
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: 7 complaints in total, 1 about the engine

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

Vehicle has a significant engine oil leak without being driven. Engine oil electronic meter still shows engine oil to be in "Ok" range. Vehicle is 2023 with only 19680 miles and is rarely driven till the last 2 months.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11685600, filed September 7, 2025

Sunday, June 25, when I was driving the car on the road, the engine shut off and the car stopped running. 3 warning lights show on screen: engine light; 48v Battery Service Required; 12v Battery service required. I used the break to park the car on the roadside after that.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11529864, filed July 1, 2023

The 2023 GLC300 would not start. The internal alarms kept going off, the push-start/stop would not respond. The vehicle was acting like it was being stolen, this lasted for 75 to 80 minutes. The display said 12V On-Board Electrical System Service Required and Blind Spot Assist Inoperative – over and over again.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11535976, filed August 2, 2023

Can recall 23V878 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 23V878000 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))?

An engine problem that leaves you stranded, or that keeps lighting up the check engine light after a repair, is the kind of defect that can substantially impair a vehicle's use, value or safety.

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.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

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 23V878