2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags730.4%
- Engine313.0%
- Electrical313.0%
- Steering28.7%
- Brakes28.7%
- Fuel system28.7%
- Powertrain (other)28.7%
- Driver assistance28.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CLEAR LAKE (500 GULF FWY S, LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573) , WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHANTILLY (14841 STONECROFT CENTER CT, CHANTILLY, VA 20151) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The DEF exhaust system has failed. It was replaced before under a recall. The warranty was previously extended on the system but I am outside of the mileage window but inside of the time window. I have $6000 in repairs so far and am trying to get assistance. I have been dealing with issues since October 2024
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR MY MERCEDES GLK SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A .MESSAGE THAT SAID 'INOPERATIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' APPEARED. WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT STARTED UP WITHOUT PROBLEM. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, AS THERE IS REPAIR WORK BEING DONE AND PART OF THE HIGHWAY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT HIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver's side seat failed. Due to a seat electrical harness failure the seat became stuck and neither the seat seatback or headrest could be moved. I could comfortably still reach steering wheel and pedals but my wife could not safely do so. The car has approximately 36k miles on it. I paid to repair this $831 negotiated down from $1600+. This is a pressing NHTSA issue because on the repair invoice the technician noted that a 40 amp fuse had been installed in a 30 amp socket. Presumably it came from the factory in this condition. The car has only been serviced by MBZ dealers - 2, palm springs and sandiego- and to my knowledge no one has touched the fuses or box. The electrical system from the factory is running 40 amps on a circuit designed for 30. This is a manufacturing or design defect which will likely as here, cause failure and could possibly at least to my non electrical engineer's mind cause fire.
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The steering adjustment moves in and out but will not move up or down. You can hear a clicking noise like it’s trying to move but nothing happens to the steering column.
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2020050005-Modificationto emission control system cause:F Was informed of the Mercedes-Benz Recall for 2015 250 GLK BlueTec which I took to Dothan, AL Mercedes-Benz Dealership to have done for my safety. The car was not repaired correctly. It started to smoke a gray smoke coming up from under the car on the passenger side of the car over the front tire. I do have pictures. It smells as if it is about to catch on fire. The car never had any problems before this botched repair. Now they say they cannot find the problem. I’m afraid to drive it until they do. Each time they return it, the smoke is worse.
ACCELERATION FROM A STOP - WHEN YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. HAVE TO PUMP PEDAL 2-3 TIMES FOR CAR TO ACCELERATE. HAVE ONLY NOTICED AROUND TOWN WITH FREQUENT STOPS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WILL PUT ITSELF IN PARK WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING UP ON A STOPLIGHT THAT WAS RED BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN PARK AT THE SAME TIME THE LIGHT WAS TURNING GREEN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR MY MERCEDES GLK SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A .MESSAGE THAT SAID 'INOPERATIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' APPEARED. WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT STARTED UP WITHOUT PROBLEM. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, AS THERE IS REPAIR WORK BEING DONE AND PART OF THE HIGHWAY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT HIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .