2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (93) · Steering (6) · Service Brakes (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Glk350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
35 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-09 · campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Z
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-10 · campaign 18V043000 · 132,167 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Steering 2017-04-12 · campaign 17V252000 · 168 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Risk: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Exterior Lighting 2012-10-10 · campaign 12V493000 · 218 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2013 GLK350 and GLK350 4-Matic vehicles, manufactured from May 31, 2012, through August 2, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles have voltage in the parking lamp circuit that exceeds the maximum value listed.
Risk: The higher illumination level may cause glare to oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes Benz will notify owners, and dealers will update the software calibration number (SCN) of the subject electronic control unit. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (71)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Suspension 2026-05-13 · LI35.10-P-078931 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint potential corrosion on the rear axle carrier cause due to market-specific conditions such as moisture, ingress of dirt and/or environmental influences, corrosion can occur on the rear axle carrier remedy in the event of a complaint, the optimized repair method must be used when replacing t
Suspension 2026-05-12 · LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. sound file attached for comparison. must match noise for proper diagnos
Showing the 6 most recent of 71 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-04 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 105,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz glk350. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal became stuck and almost caused a crash. the contact shifted the transmission into neutral(n) while the vehicle continued to accelerate and the rpm was extremely elevated. the contact was able to turn off the vehicle whi…”
2026-02-27 · Engine“recall no: 19v-868 | vin: [xxx] | case #: [xxx] vehicle: 2013 mercedes-benz glk350 (x204) description of safety problem: this complaint concerns a failure to adequately remedy nhtsa recall 19v-868. since [xxx], my vehicle has been grounded at mercedes-benz of westmont. the dealer performed the recall out of sequence, ignored documented circuit faul…”
2025-12-17 · Suspension“i am reporting a safety issue involving my mercedes-benz glk 350 following repairs performed by an authorized dealership, critz mercedes-benz in savannah, georgia. i brought the vehicle in due to persistent noise when shifting gears and steering-related symptoms. i asked the dealership to fully investigate the cause of the issue and not limit the d…”
2025-10-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the mercedes-benz glk 350, particularly related to the fuel pump system under the rear passenger area. it has come to my attention that the fuel pumps in these vehicles emit a strong, unpleasant odor every time the car is refueled. this poses a significant risk to both the driver and passen…”
2025-09-29 · Unknown Or Other“passenger head restraint exploded no accident no bump nothing !!! the car had just been in for service 2 months ago i have video saying excellent condition..11,500 miles only ..i went to mercedes they are charging me $900.00 for new headrest they said plastic parts broke cannot fix :( …”
2025-05-13 · Service Brakes“brake lines prematurely rusted through and through causing brakes not to work …”
2025-01-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the mercedes-benz glk 350, particularly related to the fuel pump system under the rear passenger area. it has come to my attention that the fuel pumps in these vehicles emit a strong, unpleasant odor every time the car is refueled. as a safety engineer, i can confirm that this poses a signi…”
2024-11-22 · Air Bags · 106,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz glk350. the contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the fail…”
2024-03-22 · Steering“out of no where when i cranked my car the airbag light came on in my car. i took it to have a diagnostic test done and the report shows short circuit at steering gear and driver air bag squib. when i look up my make and model a previous recall for driver airbag comes up, but it's not assigned to my specific vin. also, there was a previous recall fo…”
2024-03-01 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 66,300 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz glk350. the contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside and outside of the vehicle. while the vehicle was parked fuel leaked underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side fuel tank housing had cracked causing fuel to leak. the vehicle was no…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.