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Mercedes-Benz GLK350Model year report

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz GLK350 years

Typical for this model

53/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011, 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
137filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,000miles, 35 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

For the 2013 GLK350, the dominant theme in sampled complaints is the passenger-side airbag inflator recall: owners describe long waits for parts and repeated dealer visits, sometimes with the airbag warning light on in the meantime. A smaller but consistent group of reports covers fuel odors and leaks around the tank and sending unit, mostly in the 60,000-100,000 mile range, plus isolated reports of gear selector dropping into park, corroded brake lines and steering coupling concerns.

  1. Air bags

    Airbag inflator recall parts unavailable / long waits

    • 94 complaints (69%)
    • median 60,650 mi at 5.8 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners say they received notice of the passenger-side airbag inflator recalls but were told by dealers that remedy parts were not available, in some cases for many months. Several describe an airbag or SRS warning light coming on while waiting, and a few report airbags failing to deploy in a collision. Complaints also describe being unable to get a clear answer on timing or on whether their VIN was covered. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 to over 100,000 miles, mostly filed between 2017 and 2020 while the recall remedy was pending.

    Recall 19V010000Recall 18V043000Recall 17V6270001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask for documentation showing the passenger-side airbag inflator recall has been completed on the specific VIN, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the self-test at start-up.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was notified in february of 2019 of an air bag recall for my glk 350. Almost a year later, mercedes dealer still cannot tell me when this will be fixed. I am driving around with a ticking time-bomb for an air bag and mercedes doesn't seem to care. This is unacceptable. Someone should be holding them accountable.”

    NHTSA complaint #11301238, filed 2020-01, 40,350 miles

    “Takata recall!! Per my VIN #, my 2013 mercedes benz glk 350 has been recalled effective jan 10 2018. Sixty days have passed and not only is there no remedy available, but I have not even been notified. I found out when I tried to trade my car in for a new car. I have moved to montana from california and need a awd car. My current car is proving dangerous to drive. I cannot sell it!!!! It is a danger for me to drive and I cannot get rid of it. Please help me get it fixed or have mercedes take it back in trade. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11078481, filed 2018-03, 60,000 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Fuel smell and leaks at tank / sending unit

    Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside or around the vehicle, especially after refueling or when parked in a garage, and in some cases visible fuel dripping under the rear of the car. Complaints mention a cracked fuel sending unit or a cracked fuel tank housing found by an independent mechanic, with the dealer quoting a diagnostic fee. Several owners note that a similar recall covered earlier model years but their vehicle was not included. Mostly reported between roughly 19,000 and 130,000 miles, often noticed after refueling or while the car idled or sat parked.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Smell around the rear wheel wells and under the tank after refueling, look for dampness or staining near the tank and sending unit, and ask whether any fuel system work has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, particularly related to the fuel pump system under the rear passenger area. It has come to my attention that the fuel pumps in these vehicles emit a strong, unpleasant odor every time the car is refueled. This poses a significant risk to both the driver and passengers. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11692024, filed 2025-10

    “I am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, particularly related to the fuel pump system under the rear passenger area. It has come to my attention that the fuel pumps in these vehicles emit a strong, unpleasant odor every time the car is refueled. As a safety engineer, I can confirm that this poses a significant risk to both the driver and passengers. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11634148, filed 2025-01
  3. Brakes

    Corroded brake lines and brake warning lights

    • 9 complaints (7%)
    • median 35,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2014–2025

    Owners report brake and brake-fluid warning lights staying on, with a dealer diagnosis of corroded rear brake lines leaking fluid. One complaint notes rust on the rear subframe found at the same time, and another describes the parking brake failing to release or apply. Complaints attribute the corrosion to line coating rather than protected lines. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 94,000 miles on vehicles several years old, in some cases after winters with road salt.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the rear brake lines and subframe for corrosion from underneath, and check that the parking brake holds and releases properly.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The component or system failed or malfunctioned: The part of the car that malfunctioned was mainly the brake pedal. It was stop and go traffic and the car in front of me remained stopped after traffic resumed moving forward, I moved forward with the traffic and the front end of my car impacted another car in a car crasdh. I did not excellerate greater than 5 miles an hour but the brakes of the 2013 Mercedes Benz GLK malfunctioned and failed me. The impact of the car should not have caused any damage. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11459882, filed 2022-04

    “Emergency brake fails to release. If released brake cannot be applied because it freezes. Brake was used regularly when in park as prescribed. Brake was also excersized according to procedures on p.165 of the 2012-3 glk owners manual. Underbody of car was gently washed periodically to flush any salt etc. From exposed brake lines as per manual when car was washed on a regular basis. Now it cannot be applied in emergency situations. There is no visible corrosion on the brake lines. This is a known problem with mbusa 2012 -2015 glks. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10972019, filed 2017-04, 35,000 miles
  4. Steering

    Steering assist loss / steering coupling concerns

    • 8 complaints (6%)
    • median 74,277 mi at 7.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2017–2025

    A few owners describe losing power steering assist without warning, with a mechanic finding a corroded or detached steering shaft bolt and recommending rack replacement. Others report a power steering malfunction message and sluggish steering shortly after start-up, and one owner notes the steering coupling recall did not cover their VIN. Reported from about 34,000 to 74,000 miles, sometimes shortly after starting the engine.

    Recall 17V2520001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Confirm whether the steering coupling bolt recall was performed for the VIN, and listen for steering noise or warning messages right after a cold start during the test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When I'm driving the car, the car will automatically shifts from d(drive) to p(park). It happens especially when I hit the brake. I went to dealer for the same issue twice, and it seems they still cannot find the problem and fix it. This is a life-threatening issue. Just image the car stops immediately at the middle of highway. We are lucky not hit by the car behind us. It happened twice on highway I-70.”

    NHTSA complaint #11047331, filed 2017-11, 34,000 miles

    “Out of no where when I cranked my car the airbag light came on in my car. I took it to have a diagnostic test done and the report shows short circuit at steering gear and driver air bag squib. When I look up my make and model a previous recall for driver airbag comes up, but it's not assigned to my specific vin. Also, there was a previous recall for the steering gear bolts on my make and model but it also was not assigned to my vin. NO ONE AT MERCEDES WILL HELP ME! …”

    NHTSA complaint #11578969, filed 2024-03

Buying note. Check recall status by VIN first, especially the passenger airbag inflator campaigns, since sampled complaints show long waits for parts. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the fuel tank area, rear brake lines and steering hardware is worthwhile on a car of this age and mileage.

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.

NHTSA recorded 137 consumer complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 71 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 5 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 53 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while her son was driving at unknown speeds on the highway. The contact was in traffic when he notice the vehicle behind him was not stopping. The vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle causing the vehicle in front of the contact to be hit as well. No air bags deployed. A malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact had a minor injury to his back, both arms, and left eye. It was unknown if the other individuals involved in the crash sustained injuries. A police report was made. …”

NHTSA complaint #11217101, filed 2019-05, 115,000 miles

Fuel system: “Vehicle has ~ 20k miles, brought into dealer because ABS light went on while driving saying system was inoperative. Dealer then found gas tank leak, and would not let me leave the dealer, because of the safety hazard. Search shows recall for earlier model year 2012 with same issue, but dealer says no recall for 2013. Abs sensors are also malfunctioning while driving. Two separate incidents for ABS sensors. Two been replaced within one week!”

NHTSA complaint #11112787, filed 2018-07, 19,437 miles

Steering: “The sunroof on my 2013 mercedes benz glk 350 spontaneously exploded with no warning. Nothing hit the roof or any other part of the car. The weather was about 36 degrees fahrenheit, not too cold, not too hot. There was a loud bang (like the sound of a gunshot) followed by 5 - 10 minutes of crackling as the sunroof glass broke into hundreds of pieces. It appears to be the top layer of double-paned glass, as the glass did not fall into the car. I was driving about 35 MPH at the time. There was nothing unusual that would have caused this.”

NHTSA complaint #10660904, filed 2014-11, 20,200 miles

Brakes: “I am reporting a safety issue involving my Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 following repairs performed by an authorized dealership, Critz Mercedes-Benz in Savannah, Georgia. I brought the vehicle in due to persistent noise when shifting gears and steering-related symptoms. I asked the dealership to fully investigate the cause of the issue and not limit the diagnosis or repair to any single system, as I am not a mechanic and relied on their expertise. I paid $5,674.90 for the repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #11705730, filed 2025-12

Mileage when problems were reported

49% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,200 and 85,000 miles.

9%0–1017%10–2523%25–5023%50–7514%75–10014%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (35 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’14’16’1856’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GLK350 RWD3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automatic192521$3,900
GLK350 4matic 4WD3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automatic192421$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 71 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 71 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLK350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201511433,0004—2247 · TypicalFalling
201410438,0005—2255 · TypicalStable
201313756,0006—2153 · TypicalFalling
201216744,6304—1829 · FewerRising
201113365,7864—1826 · FewerStable
201024171,0005—1885 · MoreFalling
2007542,4860———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz GLK350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?

For the 2013 GLK350, the dominant theme in sampled complaints is the passenger-side airbag inflator recall: owners describe long waits for parts and repeated dealer visits, sometimes with the airbag warning light on in the meantime. The issues reported most often: Airbag inflator recall parts unavailable / long waits; Fuel smell and leaks at tank / sending unit; Corroded brake lines and brake warning lights.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 have?

NHTSA recorded 137 consumer complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 100 complaints (73% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.

Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 (GLK350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 reported?

Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,200 and 85,000 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.