Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 5 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

5 total · 5 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 19V010000 · Jan 2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V043000 · Jan 2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V363000 · May 2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V081000 · Feb 2016

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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V711000 · Oct 2015

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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

240 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
43

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 30unintended acceleration 5
A recent report: 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…
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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 filing this report so NHTSA can investigate whether this is a safety defect that should result in an official recall. Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 Incident Date: [XXX] Location: Mountville, PA VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11692599 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
7

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: THE EIS (IGNITION SWITCH) FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A NO-START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED IN, TURNED OFF, STATIONARY, AND WOULD NOT START AFTER TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11105386 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
8

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 5unintended acceleration 2software faults 1
A recent report: While driving I was unable to come to a complete stop….while breaking the vehicle would pull to the side and keep moving into traffic

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11521679 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
12

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 6corrosion 2
A recent report: The tires were purchased from NTB in August 2022. I noticed a bubble on the side of the tire 3 April. We contact NTB in Columbia,MD because we purchased them from the location and they were also put…
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The tires were purchased from NTB in August 2022. I noticed a bubble on the side of the tire 3 April. We contact NTB in Columbia,MD because we purchased them from the location and they were also put on at the location. They stated, we can purchase a new tire but there was nothing they could do. We purchased the tire from Walmart.com and took it into the Walmart Tire and Lube. The technician Kevin replaced the olde tire with the new and asked why didn’t we get a free replacement tire from wherever it was purchased from since it was a new tire and defective. We asked him to show us a defect and he showed a small slit inside the tire which caused the tire bubble. He then brought it back to us and placed it in our trunk to give back to NTB. NTB declined to replace the tire stating it was a Pirelli issue and we needed to contact them.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11518340 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
132

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 7airbags deploying unexpectedly 7
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11561371 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
18

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 15transmission slipping 1fluid leaks 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11555455 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 1smoke 1
A recent report: Mold in a/c

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11494866 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 240 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2009 and 2025, roughly 15 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 240 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (131). That is the most of the 6 model years of the Mercedes Benz GLK350 we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.