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Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

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

114

Complaints

4

Crashes

2

Fires

4

Injuries

1

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 have filed 114 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2015 and April 2026. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 84 of them (74%). The typical failure was reported at 33,000 miles, the median across the 26 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (4)

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The 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
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

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

17V627000 · October 6, 2017

The 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 Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
The risk
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 495,290 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

17V252000 · April 12, 2017

The 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.
The risk
A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 168 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 114.

AIR BAGS 84 74%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 4%
POWER TRAIN 5 4%
STEERING 5 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 4 4%
ENGINE 3 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 2%
STRUCTURE 2 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 61.

2015 2019 2026
2015 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.

AIR BAGS

1 death · crash · towed

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 2020100005 (replace Takata passenger-side module Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair? The manufacturer was notified of the issue but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was in an act of nature accident with a deer. The severe frontal impact damage didn't deploy the airbags. this is a major safety concern with the sensor electrical system, and the already RECALL airbags. The customer is

NHTSA complaint 11441695, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · fire · crash · 90 miles

MY MB GLK 35 CRASHED AT A HIGH SPEED AROUND 80 MPH,IT BURNT TO GROUND . I WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNT ALIVE WITHOUT PEOPLE USING A BIG ROCK TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND PULLING ME OUT . DUE TO THE STEERING AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION , MY CAR CRASHED AND I COULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR NOR WINDOWS . THIS IS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE , MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ACCIDENT AND I DON'T WANT MORE VICTIMS LIKE THIS .

NHTSA complaint 11002664. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · fire · crash · 90 miles

ON JUNE 16,2017, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I TRIED TO SLOWED DOWN BUT IT TURNED OUT TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AT AROUND 85MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS MESSED UP AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR , THE MORE I TRY TO BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR CRASHED , SO IT CRASHED TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND ROLLED OVER DOWN TO THE DITCH , I CALLED 911 AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO SIGNAL, I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR NOR WINDOW. THE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM INSIDE AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE , I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNT TO DEATH ALIVE WITHOUT PEOPLE PASSING BY , THEY USED A BIG ROCK TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND PULLED ME OUT OF THE CAR, TWO MINUTES LATER , THE CAR EXPLODED AND BURNT TO GROUND. THIS IS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE ,

NHTSA complaint 11002718, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 92,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THE END OF MARCH 2018 ACCORDING TO A LETTER I RECEIVED. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP KEPT TELLING ME THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE OK, OR THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENTS AS YET. I HAD AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY, SO I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM EVERY OWNER OF THE PROBLEM AIRBAGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE NEW ONES WHICH THEY DESERVE.I WAS IN THE CITY, ON A STREET AND ONLY IMPACTED ANOTHER CAR AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH FOLLOWING A TURN ONTO A BUSIER STREET..I SUSTAINED ONLY SUPERFICIAL INJURIES (LACERATIONS, CONTUSIONS & ABBRATIONS), AND DAMAGES TO MY GLK 350. *TT

NHTSA complaint 11115463. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Hello. Since I bought this car in 2015. Every now and again it will go into park when driving and tge car will stop suddenly. It has done it a few times over the years and it’s quite scary. Mercedes has put me off on you, without addressing the situation or looking at the car, unless I pay first it. I think there is a mechanical defect on this car and it is quite dangerous

NHTSA complaint 11731078. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Any time a passenger sits in the passenger seat in the shows on my dashboard “ front right malfunction service required “

NHTSA complaint 11711749. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My truck has been smelling like gas for a while. I replaced the gas cap and still smelled gas when I was driving. Recently I started smelling it inside the car. It was leaking from two places under the car when I would drive it or just have it running. The mechanic took the plastic piece off the bottom and gas started pouring down. He took the back seats out and there was a pool of gas sitting on the fuel pump. He had me start the car and it immediately started spewing from the fuel pump inside the car. I did not know I could report a complaint so I did not take pictures. The car has been sitting since Saturday without being turned on and the gas spot on the ground remains wet. It’s very

NHTSA complaint 11627422, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gasoline smell around the car when parked in the garage. An inspection underneath the car and in the engine, bay failed to locate the leak. A [XXX] search for fuel leak on Mercedes Benz (MB) returned a number of hits for problems with leaks around fuel tank components on the GLK and other MB models. Upon removal of the rear seat and a check under the two fuel tank covers, I found gasoline pooled on a concave area on top of the Fuel Suction Pump Assembly, MB, part 2184700994 (see attached photos). This plastic part has cracks in it that allow fuel to escape. I contacted MB U.S. headquarters support as I thought that they may have been a campaign to replace this component since the 2012 GLK

NHTSA complaint 11607406, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Key in electronic ignition switch is not recognized, automatic transmission shifts to automatic park before vehicle comes to a stop. When car slows to 5 miles per hour it abruptly slams into park, putting myself in danger of being rear ended in no fault of my own. It happened multiple times before I could get my vehicle to safety. This has been a known issue as documented on website [XXX] in a memo from Mercedes Benz dated 12/22/13 service memo [XXX]. This is two years prior to my model automobile and should have been rectified. This should have been addressed as a recall item as it is a known safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

NHTSA complaint 11606711, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
The leather seat on the drivers side has melted. After trying to research for a recall, I did see that others have had this problem also. It appears that the seat heater causes the leather to melt. The leather has melted and peeled and is flaking.

NHTSA complaint 11597950. 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
2014 104 5 1
2013 137 6
2012 167 4
2011 133 4
2010 241 5

Other 2015 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.

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Independent developer and analyst