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Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 948 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and fuel and propulsion. Mercedes-Benz has filed 10 warranty extensions and 5 service campaigns for it, and there are 15 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the GLK-Class a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 948
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 10
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Service campaigns
- 5
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Safety recalls
- 15
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the GLK-Class with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 133 | Airbags (68%) | 6 | 10 |
| 2014 | 126 | Airbags (62%) | 6 | 12 |
| 2013 | 143 | Airbags (71%) | 7 | 12 |
| 2012 | 171 | Airbags (80%) | 4 | 5 |
| 2011 | 134 | Airbags (69%) | 4 | 8 |
| 2010 | 241 | Airbags (62%) | 5 | 8 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single GLK-Class model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed with NHTSA for the GLK-Class, in its own words. A warranty extension means Mercedes-Benz pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, CL, CLS, ML, GL, GLE, GLS, GLC, SL, and AMG GT (204, 205, 207, 212, 213, 217, 221, 222, 463, 216, 218, 166, 292, 253, 231,…
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Engine and cooling· model years 2013–2015
Check engine light illuminated Fault code stored in N3/10 control unit- P052E71 Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance: The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction The partial-load ventilation valve (a part of the intake line assembly) may not work…
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Fuel system· model years 2010–2015
IMPORTANT EMISSION EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("MBUSA") is extending the warranty coverage on the Fuel System Control…
- Warranty extensionNov 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA (âÂÂMBUSAâÂÂ) is extending the warranty coverage on the fuel filter unit for Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) from…
- Warranty extensionOct 2023· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2010–2011
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the fuel filter unit for Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) from the…
- Warranty extensionOct 2023· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2010–2011
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the fuel filter unit in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles certified as…
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2015
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has extended the warranty for the rear subframe on the vehicles listed below, from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 20 years/unlimited miles, and applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Body and structure· model years 2010–2015
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has extended the warranty for the rear subframe on the vehicles listed below, from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 20 years/unlimited miles, and applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership.
- Warranty extensionNov 2020· Engine· model years 2013–2015
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership.
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2013–2015
In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has decided to extend the warranty for certain fuel tank components in certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
- Service campaignFeb 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2013–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2012-2016 E-Class, GL-Class, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, and ML-Class (166, 204, 212 platforms) vehicles, the coding of the control units for selective catalytic…
- Service campaignNov 2022· Engine and cooling· model years 2013–2014
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2013-2016 E/GLK/GLE/M-Class vehicles, the software for the water pump diagnostics may not correspond to current specifications.
- Service campaignAug 2022· Engine and cooling· model years 2013–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2012-2016 GLK-Class, E-Class, ML-Class, GLE-Class, and GL-Class (204, 212 and166 platforms) vehicles, an incorrect NOx sensor, Diesel Particulate Filter…
- Service campaignJan 2021· Airbags· model years 2013–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG (?MBAG?), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (?MY?) 2017-2018 E-Class (213, and 238 platform) vehicles, the supplemental restraint system (?SRS?) control unit software does not correspond to the current production…
- Service campaignFeb 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010–2014
This Service Campaign has been initiated because Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that the mbrace software does not correspond to current production configuration.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every GLK-Class model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags648 (68%)
- Fuel and propulsion71 (7%)
- Other or unspecified40 (4%)
- Electrical system38 (4%)
- Steering34 (4%)
- Brakes22 (2%)
- Cruise control and speed control20 (2%)
- Body and structure19 (2%)
Safety recalls
15 recalls cover at least one GLK-Class model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The incorrect type of transmission fluid filter and overflow pipe may have been installed during a service repair, which could result in a transmission fluid leak or control module failure.
For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
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,…
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
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,…
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…
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2013 GLK350 and GLK350 4-Matic vehicles, manufactured from May 31, 2012, through August 2, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of…
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2015
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 948 owner complaints, 10 warranty extensions and 5 service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed, and 15 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (241), 2012 (171), 2013 (143). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (68%), fuel and propulsion (7%), other or unspecified (4%). Mercedes-Benz has filed 10 warranty extensions covering the GLK-Class, listed on this page.
Which GLK-Class model years have the most complaints?
2010 (241), 2012 (171), 2013 (143). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the GLK-Class with each other rather than with other models.
Has Mercedes-Benz extended the warranty on the GLK-Class?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2010–2015); engine and cooling (model years 2013–2015); fuel system (model years 2010–2015), and 7 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a GLK-Class?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 15 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.