Mercedes Benz GLK350 years to avoid (and the best years)
883 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recalls across 6 model years, 2010 to 2015. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 883complaints
- 12recalls
- 33reported crashes
- 8reported fires
- 21reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Mercedes Benz GLK350 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes Benz GLK350 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz GLK350 year has 132 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2010 (240).
What are the best Mercedes Benz GLK350 years?
The Mercedes Benz GLK350 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2011 (131), 2013 (134) and 2012 (165). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 112 | 0.8× | 4 | 4 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2014 | 101 | 0.8× | 5 | 4 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2013 | 134 | 1.0× | 6 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 165 | 1.2× | 4 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 131 | 1.0× | 4 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 240 | 1.8× | 5 | 12 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 375 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts218 (58%)
- Engine & powertrain64 (17%)
- Other systems31 (8%)
- Structure & body23 (6%)
- Steering, suspension & tires14 (4%)
Recalls (12)
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V010000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V043000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Steering · 17V252000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2014
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 17V017000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V363000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V081000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
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.
Airbags · 15V711000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2010
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.
Fuel system · 12V557000 · Dec 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Exterior lighting · 12V493000 · Oct 2012 · model year 2013
The higher illumination level may cause glare to oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.