2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Fuel system Problems

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

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

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

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 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

Fuel leaking from top of the fuel tank.

NHTSA ID

11462608

Incident

Apr 8, 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

THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION SHOWING A SMALL FUEL LEAK. I NOTICED A SMELL OF FUEL ODOR COMING FROM OUTSIDE PARKED VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AS WELL. IT APPEARS TO LEAK THE MOST WHEN THE GAS IS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEAK WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). I CONTACTED PARK PLACE MERCEDES OF GRAPEVINE, TX, PHONE NUMBER 843-815-0300) WHO INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THIS ISSUE SEEM TO BE WIDER THAN THE INITIAL RECALL SAMPLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325042

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE GARAGE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF EL PASO, MERCEDES-BENZ BUILDING, 1122 AIRWAY BLVD, EL PASO, TX 79925, (915)613-1694, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.

NHTSA ID

11322952

Incident

Apr 30, 2018

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WOULD SMELL A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEAK WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF HILTON HEAD LOCATED AT 155 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910 PHONE NUMBER 843-815-0300) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11299557

Incident

Dec 22, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

I HAVE TWO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND MERCEDES HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CONTACT ME REGARDING REPAIRS SINCE 2011. I HAVE TAKE MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE MUTLIPLE TIMES AND THE RECALLS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11282479

Incident

Nov 26, 2019

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. IT WAS ALSO IN A BULLETIN SENT TO DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NHTSA ID 10059568. IT IS A LEAKING FUEL FILTER FLANGE. IT IS ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM!! THE FIX FOR IT IS REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE AND PLASTIC PUMP ALSO NORMALLY AT A COST OF $1200.00 AT THE DEALER. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL ALL 2011-2012 GLK 350 FOR THIS ISSUE IN MY OPINION.

NHTSA ID

11268147

Incident

Oct 4, 2019

Mileage

122,078 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD A NEIGHBOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND A DIAGNOSTIC CODE APPEARED, INDICATING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO (3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761, 909-212-8400) AND HAD BEEN WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11267903

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350W2. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.*PM CONSUMER STATES THAT FUEL LEAK WAS DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. ON 11/05/19 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF ONTARIO (ONTARIO, CA) TO BE REPAIRED. THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED UNDER AN EMISSIONS WARRANTY. *DL

NHTSA ID

11256638

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

61,000 mi

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 ID

11183768

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

3 mi

SMELLS LIKE GAS, SEEMS TO BE A SMALL FUEL LEAK

NHTSA ID

11173468

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

I'VE BEEN SMELLING GAS AN FUMES FIELD ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND NOTICED THATLAYELY IVE BEEN LOSING GAS AND MILEAGE AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT JUST BE OVER FLOW BUT IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.IM NOW HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MY CAR INTO THT RIGHT GEAR I CAN ONLY THINK THAT MY GAS AND TRANSMISSION IS FAULTERING SOMEHOW THOUGH I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN DUE TO MONEY ISSUES AT THIS TIME. MY STEERING COLUMN AND HANDLING SEEMS OUT OF ALIGNMENT COLUMN FEELS SHAKEN AND FAULTY AND DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AT TIMES AT OTHERS TIMES

NHTSA ID

11164235

Incident

Sep 30, 2018

Mileage

52,700 mi