2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by two themes: the Takata airbag recall and fuel odors or leaks that show up when the tank is full. Airbag complaints mostly describe a long wait for recall parts rather than a failure in use; fuel complaints cluster on the fuel filter or pump flange area under the rear seat, and several owners report their vehicle was not covered by the related fuel-system recall. Other reports, at higher mileage, involve the brakes, the rear subframe, and ignition or steering lock faults that can leave the vehicle unable to start.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Takata airbag recall not completed (parts unavailable)

   • 83 complaints (62%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2022

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the driver or passenger frontal airbag and then being told by dealers that the replacement inflator is not available, with no date given. Many complaints say the vehicle has carried the open recall for a year or more, and some mention dealers contacting them about trade-ins or service visits without resolving the recall. A few describe an airbag warning light cycling on and off, or a headrest airbag deploying on its own at highway speed. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to over 130,000, and mostly between 2017 and 2019.

   Recall 16V081000Recall 16V363000Recall 19V0100002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for written confirmation that the open airbag recalls (16V081000, 16V363000, 19V010000) have been completed on the VIN, and request the repair order rather than a verbal assurance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “August 2016,Mercedes-Benz recalled my vehicle because of recall NHTSA #16v-363. As of today, there is no replacement airbag available. My car has become worthless as a trade-in with this defect. I have not had an accident, but should not have to travel so cautiously, praying that nothing happens.”

   NHTSA complaint #11035836, filed 2017-10, 12,000 miles

   “My warning indicator is going on and off stating there is an airbag problem. Nothing so far has happened other than I have the takeda airbags in my car and am becoming frightened. It started flashing that warning about one or two months ago but my dealer states that it is not a problem and they don't have the parts available for the recall replacement. I am concerned. It happens when the car is stationary from what I recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11089750, filed 2018-04, 116,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell or leak when tank is full

   • 19 complaints (14%)
   • median 122,078 mi at 8.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report a strong gasoline odor outside and inside the cabin, typically right after filling the tank, which fades as fuel level drops. Several traced it to fuel on top of the fuel filter or fuel pump flange under the rear seat access panel, and some describe visible dripping under the vehicle, a check-engine light, or a failed inspection. Complaints frequently note that the vehicle was told it was not included in recall 12V557000; dealers in some cases quoted the owner for replacing the fuel filter flange, while others were unable to duplicate the odor. Mostly reported from about 60,000 to 160,000 miles, often immediately after refueling.

   Recall 12V5570005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell for fuel around the rear wheel wells and inside the cabin right after a fill-up, lift the rear seat cushion to look for fuel residue on the access cover, and ask whether the fuel filter flange recall or any warranty extension applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gasoline smell when fuel tank is full. I removed my rear seats and removed access panels to fuel filter/pumps...and discovered the passenger side access panel had gasoline on the unit and surrounding area. Somehow, there is a gasoline leak coming from that passenger side unit. I did not take any photos since I did not want any active electronics near the gasoline and gasoline fumes.”

   NHTSA complaint #11183768, filed 2019-03, 3 miles

   “When I fill up my 2011 glk 350 with gas I have a very strong raw gas smell from the vehicle. It is so bad that I am afraid it will cause a fire inside my garage. It goes away as the fuel is run out of the vehicle. I check with mercedes and with my VIN # it was not on a recall list however many other glk 350 were on a recall list for the same problem. It is recall 12v557000. I feel mercedes should cover all 2011 glk 350 for this issue as it is a definite safety issue with raw gas leaking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11268147, filed 2019-10, 122,078 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feel, extended stopping, ABS and rusted lines

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a spongy pedal and longer stopping distance, a car that pulls or fishtails during braking, brakes that apply on their own and produce smoke from the rear wheels, and a parking brake that would not hold on an incline. Diagnoses in the complaints include rusted-through brake lines, a faulty ABS module, and a cracked and rusted rear subframe affecting braking stability. Reported from roughly 32,000 to 152,000 miles, with the rust-related cases on older vehicles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the brake lines and rear subframe inspected for rust on a lift, and drive the car to feel for a spongy pedal, pulling, or vibration under braking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10873785, filed 2016-06, 48,000 miles

   “There were two incidents, one when my daughter was driving and one when I was driving. We were on a highway going 65 mph and had to brake as we came upon traffic. The car fishtailed/swerved back and forth out of control several times until we could bring the car to a stop. I had to pull onto the shoulder so I didn’t hit any of the cars near me. It was terrifying and I felt lucky that I didn’t have a serious accident. When I got home, I took my car to my local mechanic who inspected the car and said my rear subframe was cracked and rusted out!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11518495, filed 2023-04
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Vehicle will not start (ignition and steering lock faults)

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 65,786 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the car refusing to start with no prior warning: the key fob locks and unlocks the doors but is not recognized, or the steering lock stays engaged. In several cases the vehicle was towed, and diagnoses named the security module, the electronic steering lock, or a sensor on the steering column that had lost its programming; one owner reported losing steering column adjustment and warning lights at the same time. Generally reported between about 60,000 and 110,000 miles, often after a short stop or at a parking location.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car several times during the test drive and after switching off, check that the steering column adjusts and the wheel unlocks, and ask whether the electronic steering lock or security module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After inserting key - there is no response. Tried several times. FOB locks and unlocks the doors. After a couple of days - it started with no problem. A week later, we are having the same problem with no response after inserting the key in ignition switch. This troublesome to know that I cannot rely on the ignition switch working all the time.”

   NHTSA complaint #11552551, filed 2023-10

   “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 didn’t recognize my key fob when I tried to start it. There were no lights or warnings leading up to this incident. The dash didn’t say anything besides “remove key from ignition”. 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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11752273, filed 2026-07

Buying note. Prioritize checking whether the open Takata airbag recalls have actually been completed on the VIN, then look for fuel residue or odor around the rear-seat access panels after a full tank. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift should also cover brake lines and the rear subframe for rust, and the starting behavior should be tested more than once.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.