Mercedes-Benz GLK250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 46 complaints (52.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Air Bags: 24; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Steering: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 17; 2020: 13; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11310441 · 2020-02-20 (February 20, 2020)
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULT…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423654 · 2021-07-06 (July 6, 2021)
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778814 · 2015-09-30 (September 30, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428939 · 2021-08-13 (August 13, 2021)
Left side boost tube blown twice on my vehicle. Technical part info: 204-528-00-00, Charge Air Hose Both incidents involved sudden loss of power in the middle of the free way driving. First incident: Christmas Day 2018, on the way to Las Vegas from Grand Canyon visit, on highway 93. Fortunately, no vehicle was behind when I lost the power, moved to right lane and continued driving slowly to reach the hotel in LV (about 50 miles at low speeds). Check engine light came on immediately after loosing the power. Next day morning, visited the local …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431865 · 2021-09-06 (September 6, 2021)
The driver's side seat failed. Due to a seat electrical harness failure the seat became stuck and neither the seat seatback or headrest could be moved. I could comfortably still reach steering wheel and pedals but my wife could not safely do so. The car has approximately 36k miles on it. I paid to repair this $831 negotiated down from $1600+. This is a pressing NHTSA issue because on the repair invoice the technician noted that a 40 amp fuse had been installed in a 30 amp socket. Presumably it came from the factory in this condition. The car ha…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11240893 · 2019-07-31 (July 31, 2019)
MY 2014 MERCEDES GLK 250 WITH 16,705 MILES, ON 11/03/2015 EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE WARNING DISPLAY STATING TO ADD BLUE. I DID THIS BUT THE WARNING DID NOT REMOVE BUT STATED I HAD 10 STARTS REMAINING. I WAS 700 MILES FROM HOME SO RETURNED CONSERVING MY REMAINING STARTS. FOUND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE BLUE TECH EMISSIONS SYSTEM INCLUDING DEF INJECTOR NOZZLE FAILING TO SPRAY. ALL COVERED BY WARRANTY. ON 06/15/2019 WITH 58,129 MILES, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON TO ADD BLUE. I CHECKED BLUETEC LEVEL TO BE NEARLY FULL. THE WARNING S…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240893 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
2013: 6; 2014: 5; 2015: 5