Model year record

2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 recalls & problems

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has 4 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (93 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints133filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 9, 2019

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 19V010000288,779 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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 bagsMay 26, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V363000258,163 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Air bagsFeb 11, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V081000711,159 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 3, 2012

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 12V5570005,800 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

GLK350

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

GLK350 4matic

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsSide/window › Curtain	93	3	0	2	38,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	20	1	1	0	111,039 mi
Steering	6	1	1	0	—
Service brakes	5	1	1	0	48,000 mi
Electrical system	5	0	0	0	65,786 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members	3	0	0	0	—
Engine	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	3	1	1	0	—
Power train	2	0	0	0	—
Suspension	2	1	1	0	—
Exterior lighting	2	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
My kids and I went into a football game and when we came out I used the key fob to unlock the doors but the vehicle didnât recognize my key fob when I tried to start it. There were no lights or warnings leading up to this incident. The dash didnât say anything besides âremove key from ignitionâ. We were stranded for 5 hours before I had to have it towed. It cost roughly $2000 to have it repaired with no clear reason for why it happened. It was a censor on the steering column that was somehow deprogrammed while we were in the stadium and suddenly failed to recognize its own key fob once it was inserted into the ignition. The anti-theft security feature kicked in and I could not get…
May 30, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
I noticed fuel / gas smell from my vehicle. I looked up cause for this type of occurrence. I was referred to a recall bulletin for this particular cause - Recall Campaign #2013020002. My vehicle (VIN #) is not on the recall list. Both MB dealerships in my area state I would have to cover the cost to replace the Fuel Filter Flange. I am certain the Fuel Filter Flange is defective and should be listed in the recall. I pulled up the rear seat and removed the cover to expose the Fuel Filter Flange. There was gasoline on top of the Fuel Filter Flange. (I have documented with pictures).
Feb 28, 2026
Service brakes
During a stop the car dives to the right. After removing the right rear tire the subframe is rusted and components are no longer connected to the sub frame
Sep 11, 2025
Structure › Body
I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY WITH SPEED OF 60 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN AND DUE TO SUDDEN AIR COMING INSUDE, MY CAR WAS SHIFTED AND I DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT AND NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED, I WAS UNABLE TO PULLUP THE WINDOW AND TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE NOTED HE HAS SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND THE REGULATOR SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONS. THE COST IS ESTIMATED $1,000 TO FIX IT. I WOULD LIKE TO WARN THAT I AM A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IF THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO A DRIVER WITH LESS EXPERIENCE, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. my insurance decuctible is $2000 and cost to fix it $1000
Jul 2, 2025
Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop, causing the braking distance to be extended. Additionally, the brake pedal was spongy while depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed that the brake lines had failed due to severe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Feb 19, 2025 · 120,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
After a fuel fill-up, I smell fuel inside the cabin and outside by the gas tank opening. This causes a constant stress..., what if there is a fire? I heard and read so many similar complains and concerns. This should constitute for a RECALL. What is the responsibility of NHTSA to the consumer's safety.
Mar 3, 2021
Fuel/propulsion system
When we fill up the SUV with gas, there is a very strong odor of gas outside of the passenger door & some odor "inside the SUV. We looked online Motortrend.com said Certain 2011-2012 MB CLK 350 4matic are being recalled for a potential fuel leak caused by a crack in the fuel filter flange, Dec 15, 2012.' We stopped by MBenz of Lynnwood, Wa and spoke Garrett, a service rep. Garrett said that this was not a safety issue and we can continue to safely drive the SUV. We disagreed! We are very concerned because we believe there is a safety issue, our SUV has a crack fuel line could catch on fire while we are driving and potentially anyone around us could be affected. We did not get a malfunction…
Aug 1, 2024
Fuel/propulsion system
Vaporized gasoline fuel odor emanating from the back seat area due to fuel filter flange crack
Jun 20, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
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…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021