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Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

241

Complaints

12

Crashes

2

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 have filed 241 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2009 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 149 of them (62%). The typical failure was reported at 71,500 miles, the median across the 72 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V010000 · January 9, 2019

The 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 "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 288,779 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V043000 · January 10, 2018

The 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 Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 132,167 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V363000 · May 26, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 258,163 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V081000 · February 11, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 711,159 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

15V711000 · October 27, 2015

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
The risk
The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 127,504 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 241.

AIR BAGS 149 62%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 26 11%
SUSPENSION 14 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 5%
STRUCTURE 11 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9 4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 3%
STEERING 8 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 2%
ENGINE 4 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 66.

2009 2017 2026
2009 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 injured · fire · crash · towed · 101,050 miles

ON 4/24/16, A TOYOTA REAR ENDED ME AND PUSHED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRABLE UNTIL MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED IN THE INSIDE ABOVE THE GAS TANK AREA, BUT THE MAN WORKING AT THE IMPOUND LOT THE NEXT DAY SAID IT LOOKED ELECTRICAL. EITHER WAY, THE IMPACT SHOULD NOT CAUSE A MERCEDES TO CATCH ON FIRE. I WAS ON A CITY STREET STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT.

NHTSA complaint 10862316. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Car fail to deploy side air bags at rearend collision and roll over crash .

NHTSA complaint 11465818. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · 11,000 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT LUNGED FORWARD. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

NHTSA complaint 10371780. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured · crash · 28,892 miles

THAT SATURDAY I HAD MY 30,000 MILE SERVICE AT ESTATE MOTORS IN GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY. THE DEALER ALSO DID AN "OPEN RECALL". THEY DEDUCTED $20 FROM MY BILL TO GET A CAR WASH. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO A CAR WASH ON ROUTE 202 IN NEW MILFORD, CT. ABOUT 3:00 PM, I WAS THIRD IN LINE AND AS THE TWO CARS AHEAD EDGED FORWARD, TURNING LEFT TO GO IN, I NUDGED MY GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET, GLANCED OFF THE CAR BUMPER AHEAD, RAN OVER ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT AND A 3 FOOT TALL TREE, WENT HALFWAY OVER A 3 FOOT HIGH WALL AND WAS STOPPED BY SMASHING INTO A TREE. NOBODY WAS HURT. I HAD KEPT MY SEAT BELT ON AND WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY BRUISED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG, AS I TOLD

NHTSA complaint 10508710, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle involved is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle that experienced severe corrosion and deterioration of the rear subframe component. The subframe is available for inspection upon request and has been identified as unsafe due to excessive rust and structural corrosion. The corrosion created a major safety risk because the subframe supports critical suspension and stability components. The condition could have caused loss of vehicle control, suspension failure, or an accident while driving, placing both myself and other drivers at risk. The problem has been confirmed by a dealership and/or independent repair facility. I was informed that Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged similar rear subframe

NHTSA complaint 11740280, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

fire

On [XXX], my mother was driving our 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 to work around 6:30 AM when the vehicle suddenly caught on fire without warning. The car was completely destroyed in the fire. Thankfully, she was able to exit safely. After doing research online, we found many reports of 2010 GLK 350 models catching fire due to fuel system issues and leaks, which appear to be common with this year and model. We were surprised to learn that our VIN currently shows no active recalls, even though the issue seems widespread. We can provide photos of the car before and after the fire, towing documentation, and the police/fire report. The cleanup and towing bills have been expensive, and we are

NHTSA complaint 11692599, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Extremely Urgent Safety Warning! Similar to the the passenger fuel filter extended warranty on the passenger side, the driver's side plastic fuel filter pump is obviously visably defective and forming a large crack, thereby leaking a significant amount gasoline into the back seat, with much also draining out the bottom of the vehicle. Additionally, the metal studs securing the filter are painted, making removal of the filter difficult without breaking the studs. No warning lamps or messages.

NHTSA complaint 11616548. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

77,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the airbags warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA complaint 11561371. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
I just had my vehicle in the shop for starting problem and oil leak. The former mercedes mechanic told me about my subframe having holes in it and the rear wheel moving forward and back during braking. I'm taking it to the dealership for replacement, but I'm upset knowing that I just took a 1400 mile trip with this problem on my vehicle with family in the vehicle and it could have been catastrophic for us all. I've received no notice of the 20 year extended warranty on this vehicle, but a notice of the Takata airbag issue was received recently by me. Not notifying me is irresponsible. I hope everyone gets this repaired before a life is lost.

NHTSA complaint 11555455. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Corrosión en toda la parte trasera (subframe) que sujeta la suspensión haciendo el carro inestable a la hora de detener el automóvil, y apaga los sistemas ABS,ESP. lo cual lo hace mas peligrosa la conducción. Si Toyota hizo el cambio en sus vehículos con por que mercedes benz deberia comprometerse a repara esta parte. Ya que es un riesgo a la seguridad.

NHTSA complaint 11554522. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 114 4 1
2014 104 5 1
2013 137 6
2012 167 4
2011 133 4

Other 2010 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst