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2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

133 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

65,786 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 92 of 133 complaints (69.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns1612.0%
Braking behavior75.3%
Steering behavior64.5%
Transmission and shifting53.8%
Electrical and battery issues10.8%

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.

Air Bags
92
Fuel/Propulsion System
20
Steering
6
Electrical System
5
Service Brakes
5
Engine
3
Fuel System, Gasoline
3
Exterior Lighting
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags92
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Steering6
Electrical System5
Service Brakes5
Engine3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Exterior Lighting2

Air Bags: 92; Fuel/Propulsion System: 20; Steering: 6; Electrical System: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
6
50,000 to 74,999
7
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
9
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9996
50,000 to 74,9997
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9999
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 102 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.

2013
2
2015
2
2016
7
2017
40
2018
25
2019
28
2020
7
2021
1
2022
6
2023
7
2024
3
2025
3
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20132
20152
20167
201740
201825
201928
20207
20211
20226
20237
20243
20253
20262

2013: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 40; 2018: 25; 2019: 28; 2020: 7; 2021: 1; 2022: 6; 2023: 7; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10510257 · 2013-05-01 (May 1, 2013)

MY CAR SHUT DOWN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON APRIL 19TH, 2013. AT THE TIME OF SHUTDOWN, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP (INCLUDING THE BRAKE LIGHT). I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY HAVING BEEN TOLD BY AN ADVISOR THAT THEY COULD NOT WORK ON A MAJOR ISSUE AS SUCH ON THE WEEKEND. SINCE THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR REPLICATE THE INCIDENT, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT FIX ANYTHING. THEY ALSO STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, A…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510257 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10550317 · 2013-10-31 (October 31, 2013)

PARKED ON A 45 DEGREE SLOPE. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WITH THE RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN AS FAR AS THE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL. RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE INCLINE. LOCAL MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO APPEAR FINE AS FAR AS THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR (PADS AT 40%). TAKING THIS TO THE LOCAL MB DEALER TO REVIEW. I HAVE VIDEO IF NEEDED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550317 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10692832 · 2015-03-08 (March 8, 2015)

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD BOOM FROM MY VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY CRACKLING SOUND. MY SUNROOF SHATTERED AS WELL AS THE FIXED PIECE BETWEEN MY WINDSHIELD AND MOVING PANE OF SUNROOF. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD AN OBJECT STRUCK THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST PANE OF GLASS HAD A 1 IN DIAMETER HOLE WITH A STARBURST PATTERN AND THE SECOND PANE HAD VERY LITTLE VISIBLE DAMAGE TO IT OTHER THAN THE HUNDREDS OF CRACKS IN IT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHY THE FI…

Owner-reported narrative. 66,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692832 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10715657 · 2015-05-11 (May 11, 2015)

TRANSMISSION JERKING PROBLEM I'VE HAD MY 2011 GLK350 AND JUST NOTICED THAT THE CAR JERKS NOTICEABLY ROUGHLY AND MADE A LOUDSY NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE MODE. IT HAPPENS BOTH AT LOW AND HIGH RPMS.

Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715657 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10865193 · 2016-05-16 (May 16, 2016)

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10865193 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10873785 · 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)

WE HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ GLK350 2011. WHILE NEITHER OF ITS BRAKE WARNING (WHICH INCLUDES WARNING FOR LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL) AND "CHECK BRAKE PAD WEAR" DISPLAY MESSAGES IS ON, AND THERE IS NO ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE BRAKES, ITS BRAKES CAN STILL FAIL FOR A SHORT TIME, WHILE WORK MOST OF THE TIME. IN TWO CASES, WHILE I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE FAILED AND THE CAR MOVED FORWARD, THEN STOPPED BEFORE IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE I DIDN'T PRESSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD ENOUGH. AFTER AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED, I AM …

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873785 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10882260 · 2016-07-02 (July 2, 2016)

"TAKATA RECALL" MERCEDES-BENZ USA HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR AND IT MAY RUPTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE. THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED A DATE FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR THEREFORE WE ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT MAY CAUSE BODIILY INJURY OR DEATH TO ME OR OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY. I WANT THE NHTSA TO CONTACT THE MERCEDES-BENZ USA AND INSIST THAT THEY PROVIDE US WITH A SAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH OUR CAR.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10882260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10895246 · 2016-08-12 (August 12, 2016)

"TAKATA RECALL" RECALL LETTER SAYS NOT NECESSARY TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL RECEIVING SECOND LETTER. TWO DAYS AFTER RECEIVING LETTER-AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. HAVE NOT RECEIVED SECOND LETTER. SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT BAGS WONT GO OFF BY THEMSELVES AND THAT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY RECEIVE PARTS. I AM NOW HEARING THAT BAGS CAN EXPLODE UNEXPECTEDLY THROWING METAL FRAGMENTS INTO YOUR FACE AND HEAD AND CAUSE DEATH. MERCEDES NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ASAP, THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10895246 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V557000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported: 2012-12-03 (December 3, 2012)

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.

Consequence: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V363000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-26 (May 26, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V010000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗