2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
167 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
44,630 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 132 of 167 complaints (79.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.6% |
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 | 132 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
Air Bags: 132; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Unknown Or Other: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Electrical System: 4; Suspension: 4; Power Train: 3; Seats: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 145 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 68; 2018: 25; 2019: 38; 2020: 4; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10512776 · 2013-05-20 (May 20, 2013)
MY 2012 MERCEDES CLS 550 , WITH PIRELLI P ZERO TIRES,HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT JUNE "12. ANOTHER TIRE BLEW OUT IN MAR '13 ON THE MAR VISIT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER (SALISBURY MD), TWO MORE TIRES HAD BULGES, ALLEGEDLY FROM POTHOLES,AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WROTE PIRELLI OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TIRES, AND THE REPLY WAS "WE NEED TO INSPECT THE TIRES" FAT CHANCE, AFTER THE TIRES HAD LONG BEEN DISPOSED- I EVEN HAD TO PAY A DISPOSAL CHARGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,702 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654033 · 2014-11-10 (November 10, 2014)
LEFT DEALERSHIP AND ENTERED HIGHWAY AT MODERATE SPEED, WITHIN TWO MINUTES HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE AND SAW THAT THE TOP GASKET/SEAL (BLACK RUBBER) OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD COME OFF STARTING ON THE LEFT SIDE AND WAS DRAPED UP AND ON TOP OF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 INCHES REMAINED ATTACHED ON THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10695029 · 2015-03-18 (March 18, 2015)
WE HAVE 2012 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350 BOUGHT FROM NANUET MERCEDES BENZ, NANUET, NY. ON MARCH 11 DRIVING ON RTE 306S AND HIT A POT HOLE COVERED WITH WATER AT ABOUT 20 MPH. THE HEAD REST SPLIT APART AND HIT MY NECK. IF I WERE DRIVING 40 OR MORE MILES PER HOUR THAT IMPACT WOULD HAVE BROKEN MY NECK EVEN COULD CAUSE DEATH. WAS THERE ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINT? SOMETHING LIKE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN 43 YEARS OF MY DRIVING. IS THE CAR MANUFACTURER LIABLE FOR IT? I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600. PLEASE DO NOT CALL, I AM HARD OF HEARING,…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10695029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10790053 · 2015-11-12 (November 12, 2015)
WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH OR MORE, THE ENGINE STALLS AND THE UNIT IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTAINS THE ODOMETER AND SPEED, BEGINS TO TURN WHITE IN COLOR. IT APPEARS THE SOFTWARE ERROR WITHIN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT A CERTAIN SPEED OR WHEN I AM COASTING TO A STOP, SUCH AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHUT-DOWN IN THE MIST OF MY DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR MORE, HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE PICKS UP SPEED. THESE EVENTS ARE TERRIFYING, BECAUSE I CAN'T TELL IF THE VEHICLE IS GOING T…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10790053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10810779 · 2015-12-16 (December 16, 2015)
WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN A GARAGE, IT ACCELERATED. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT SPEEDED UP CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10810779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10855155 · 2016-04-12 (April 12, 2016)
AFTER JUST PARKING THE VEHICLE BUT BEFORE GETTING OUT - THE DRIVERS HEADREST "EXPLODED" AND PUSHED MY HEAD TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER FRONT AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUSHED THE HEADREST BACK TOGETHER BUT COULD NOT GET THE MESSAGE REMOVED AND SAID IT WOULD NEED DIAGNOSTICS. I DROVE AWAY WITH THE MESSAGES STILL COMING ON INTENDING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTICS. RETURNED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10855155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873876 · 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10889149 · 2016-07-27 (July 27, 2016)
THIS VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG RECALL SOME TIME AGO. IN APPROXIMATELY EARLY MAY 2016 WE CALLED AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET SUPPLIED IT WITH ANY REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS. THE DEALER SAID THAT A NEW RECALL NOTICE WOULD BE SENT OUT WHEN THE AIRBAGS WERE IN STOCK. NO NEW NOTICE HAS AS YET ARRIVED. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SERIOUS MATTER EXPLAINED IN A RELATED COMPLAINT, AND WE ARE TOLD THAT NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE THE AIR BAG RECALL IS STILL OUTSTANDING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10889149 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 ↗17V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe 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 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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 front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become 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 ↗