2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Owner Complaints

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. It was a censor on the steering column that was somehow deprogrammed while we were in the stadium and suddenly failed to recognize its own key fob once it was inserted into the ignition. The anti-theft security feature kicked in and I could not get the vehicle to respond or bypass the system and it left me and 4 children stranded in a very dangerous area for several hours with no information as to why this happened or how to avoid it in the future. The steering column locked up when the tow truck driver tried to load it and caused a significant amount of added expenses on to the repair costs and towing costs.

NHTSA ID

11752273

Incident

May 30, 2026

I noticed fuel / gas smell from my vehicle. I looked up cause for this type of occurrence. I was referred to a recall bulletin for this particular cause - Recall Campaign #2013020002. My vehicle (VIN #) is not on the recall list. Both MB dealerships in my area state I would have to cover the cost to replace the Fuel Filter Flange. I am certain the Fuel Filter Flange is defective and should be listed in the recall. I pulled up the rear seat and removed the cover to expose the Fuel Filter Flange. There was gasoline on top of the Fuel Filter Flange. (I have documented with pictures).

NHTSA ID

11721172

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

During a stop the car dives to the right. After removing the right rear tire the subframe is rusted and components are no longer connected to the sub frame

NHTSA ID

11687221

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY WITH SPEED OF 60 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN AND DUE TO SUDDEN AIR COMING INSUDE, MY CAR WAS SHIFTED AND I DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT AND NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED, I WAS UNABLE TO PULLUP THE WINDOW AND TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE NOTED HE HAS SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND THE REGULATOR SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONS. THE COST IS ESTIMATED $1,000 TO FIX IT. I WOULD LIKE TO WARN THAT I AM A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IF THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO A DRIVER WITH LESS EXPERIENCE, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. my insurance decuctible is $2000 and cost to fix it $1000

NHTSA ID

11672580

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop, causing the braking distance to be extended. Additionally, the brake pedal was spongy while depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed that the brake lines had failed due to severe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11649184

Incident

Feb 19, 2025

Mileage

120,000 mi

After a fuel fill-up, I smell fuel inside the cabin and outside by the gas tank opening. This causes a constant stress..., what if there is a fire? I heard and read so many similar complains and concerns. This should constitute for a RECALL. What is the responsibility of NHTSA to the consumer's safety.

NHTSA ID

11607580

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

When we fill up the SUV with gas, there is a very strong odor of gas outside of the passenger door & some odor "inside the SUV. We looked online Motortrend.com said Certain 2011-2012 MB CLK 350 4matic are being recalled for a potential fuel leak caused by a crack in the fuel filter flange, Dec 15, 2012.' We stopped by MBenz of Lynnwood, Wa and spoke Garrett, a service rep. Garrett said that this was not a safety issue and we can continue to safely drive the SUV. We disagreed! We are very concerned because we believe there is a safety issue, our SUV has a crack fuel line could catch on fire while we are driving and potentially anyone around us could be affected. We did not get a malfunction or error message.

NHTSA ID

11607422

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Vaporized gasoline fuel odor emanating from the back seat area due to fuel filter flange crack

NHTSA ID

11595654

Incident

Jun 20, 2024

Headlight bulbs failed. Owners manual states that the low beam bulb on the driver's side can be replaced by simply removing back cover, inserting hand and removing and replacing bulb. However, this is fraudulent. Every mechanic and the Mercedes dealers state that the bumper and possibly fender must be removed to replace this SAFETY item. The bulb went out on a trip and could not be replaced even though the bulb was readily available and I purchased it at a Walmart but could not replace it. Even though the Walmart replaced bulbs, after I waited 2 hours they told me they could not do it. I took it to two mechanics and they said they "did not have time" since it required disassembly of the vehicle. The Mercedes dealership said they could not provide an estimate because it required substantial time and disassembly. Now I have a car that has a bulb out, it cannot be driven at night, and to replace the bulb it requires an appointment at Mercedes and apparently hundreds of dollars of expense for labor. Like windshield wipers, tires, etc, etc, this is obviously a CRITICAL SAFETY ITEM and Mercedes has committed fraud in its representation that the bulb can be owner replaced. MY CAR NOW IS A DANGER driving at night. The NHTSA has statutory responsibility for the safety of vehicles and the internet has endless entries about the difficulty of replacing the headlight bulbs on this vehicle. I pay taxes. Do something.

NHTSA ID

11559655

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

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 ID

11552551

Incident

Oct 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated unintendedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11538396

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

I noticed the smell of fuel coming from my vehicle, specifically when I top off at the gas station. This is dangerous as fuel can combust if ignited. I took the vehicle to be service, to find out about the fuel odor and was advised of the NHTSA recall. Upon researching I see that although the NHTSA recall #12V557000 specifically covers this issue, when entering my VIN, the recall does not appear for MY specific vehicle, which is a 2011 GLK-350. It appears there are several affected vehicles not included in the recall. This is a failure on behalf of Mercedes Benz as it is simple to conclude that the issue includes more vehicles than initially recalled. These vehicles need to be included as well.

NHTSA ID

11529496

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

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!! After doing some research and talking to the Mercedes dealership where I bought the car, this is a widespread problem with several different models over many years, but they have not issued a recall. Apparently the frames were not rustproofed properly so they are rusting/corroding from the inside out. These frames should last the lifetime of the vehicle with no issues!! There are thousands of people driving their cars out there with this problem and they have no idea that their cars are UNSAFE to drive!!! Someone is going to get killed if Mercedes does not issue a recall for this problem. They recently sent an internal memo to all of their sales and service managers in the US saying they will offer an extended offer on the rear subframes. This does NOT help because many people are unaware of the problem and haven’t received notification that something could be terribly wrong. Mercedes has know about this problem for years and Canada and Europe issued recalls on the rear subframes 2 years ago!!! How can Mercedes USA allow their customers to continue to drive UNSAFE vehicles?!? A class action has been proposed for this problem because Mercedes has been so remiss in their responsibility in protecting their customers. Please please please bring this to light before someone gets injured or killed!!!!

NHTSA ID

11518495

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

I'm having the same issues as described in Recall no. 12V557000. However when I called Mercedes they mentioned that my Vin wasn't part of that recall. I don't understand how can that be when my car is 2011-2012 glk350 model as described in recall and I smell gas, can see gas leaking and the flange where my fuel filter is cracked as well as the flange to the fuel pump side. This car as well as many other Mercedes have two separate flanges that are prone to crack and not just the fuel filter side but the fuel pump side as well. there's many forums where they all have complained about this issue. If you can smell gas, there's obviously fuel vapors leaking and not to the mentioned the physical leak that is landing everywhere you drive. This is a serious fire hazard and is extremely harmful to my kids and passengers.

NHTSA ID

11513030

Incident

Mar 21, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System - There is a gas leaking from somewhere above the gas tank. I did not have this fixed yet because I see a recall for this but my VIN wasn't included in the initial recall. There are 17 other complaints on here for the same issue but we haven't been included in the recall as of today 1/2/2023. The recall that fixed other 2011 GLK 350s is NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). My car is available for inspection upon request. I am very afraid of a fire because the tray underneath the car on the passenger side is full of gas & the tray is right over the exhaust. I stuck a large cotton swab in the tray to soak up the liquid & since it smelled like gas I tried to light it. It caught on fire immediately. This is definitely a safety hazard as it can ignite if a spark or lit cigarette would happen to bounce up in there. Yes it is unlikely but I have seen stranger things. The tray holds a large amount of gas and is directly under the gas tank. The check engine light came on and the diagnostic machine says fuel evap control system leak. A mechanic looked at the leak after taking the rear passenger tire off and finding the gas pooling in that tray. Odometer reads 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11499874

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the key fob intermittently failed to remotely start the vehicle. The contact stated that the transmission had seized and failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the electronic steering locks (ESL) needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,500.

NHTSA ID

11495360

Incident

Nov 28, 2022

Mileage

110,500 mi

takata airbags- called Mercedes Benz of draper- says it is not on their list???

NHTSA ID

11486915

Incident

Sep 28, 2022

The fuel tank flange cracked. After refill the tank, the fuel smell is in the cabin, and fuel leak out under the seat.

NHTSA ID

11479512

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the frame was corroded and the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the dealer and the manufacturer would cover 50% each for the cost of the subframe replacement; however, the contact needed to pay as well for the replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11463624

Incident

May 6, 2022

Mileage

100,000 mi

Fuel leaking from top of the fuel tank.

NHTSA ID

11462608

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and saw the front driver’s side headrest air bag had deployed independently. The contact stated that there was no injury sustained. The contact stated the instrument panel displayed an error message of the driver’s and passenger’s side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) had malfunctioned. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with the seat wiring harness had malfunctioned causing the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) to be illuminated. The contact was not aware of the repair needed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11453362

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

BECAUSE OF THE LOW QUALITY OF THE PLASTIC, WHICH WAS USED IN THE FUEL PUMP BODY ON MY GLK350, FORMED A CRACK ON BOTH BODIES OF THE FUEL TANKS. FUEL IS COMING OUT DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR SEAT AND DRIPPING DOWN TO THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND COULD CAUSE A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11443176

Incident

Dec 7, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT STARTED TO SMELL FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANCISCO LOCATED AT 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, (415) 673-2000, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AND SAW FUEL LEAKING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *LN *TR

NHTSA ID

11354967

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE SPEED TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF SARASOTA LOCATED AT 4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,603.

NHTSA ID

11343161

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

148,603 mi

DELAY AND NO START CONDITION WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION KEY

NHTSA ID

11338462

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

Mileage

85,250 mi