2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Steering Problems

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. During the process, a service advisor contacted me regarding an additional charge of approximately $800, which I approved to ensure the vehicle was repaired correctly and to avoid any claim that I declined recommended work. After the first repair, the noise was still present. I contacted the service advisor and returned the vehicle. After the vehicle had already been released to me, the dealership’s own technician recorded a diagnostic video stating that a suspension arm was “about to break.” I have the video and the email containing the link. This confirms the vehicle was returned to me with a serious unresolved safety defect, and I returned it after learning of this issue. The dealership performed additional work and released the vehicle again, but the noise remained. I asked the service advisor to hear the noise in person, after which he verbally stated that “all GLK 350s do that.” I later sent a text expressing my concern, and he replied in writing stating the same. I also have a saved and transcribed voicemail repeating this statement. Since the repair, the condition has worsened. Steering noise continues and braking effectiveness has degraded, requiring longer stopping distance. Because steering and suspension directly affect braking and vehicle control, this presents a safety risk. Due to the expense of the failed repair, I have no immediate alternative transportation and have been forced to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11705730

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

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! THEY STATE NO ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO ASSIGN RECALLS TO A SPECIFIC VIN IF IT WAS MISSED IN ERROR. My vehicle currently has no airbags cause the system has disabled itself to prevent possible deploy malfunction. Can you please help me. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11578969

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

My car started making a funny sound above the right tire on the way to my hair apt on March 13, 2023. On the drive home from the appointment, my front axle came off in the middle of the expressway at 9:30 PM on 1-10 in Houston, Texas. I was so scared that I was going to die. Cars were coming so fast and swerving all around me. I turned on my emergency flashers and called 911 immediately. I don't think that I have ever felt so helpless and panicked in my entire life. By the grace of god, I was not hit and tow trucks came within 10-15 minutes. They told me that most people get hit and that I was lucky to not be hit at 80 miles per hour at a dead standstill. We towed my car to the nearest repair shop where they confirmed that the plastic u-clamps had deteriorated which caused the front axle to become detached. Insurance would not cover it. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Mercedes had recalled over 38,000 small SUVS for the exact same issue, but that my Mercedes was not a part of the recall. When I filed the complaint with Mercedes, they said that they would not cover the cost to repair it because my vehicle was not a part of the recall. I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else ever. I believe that Mercedes is aware of this issue and does not want to take responsibility.

NHTSA ID

11515131

Incident

Mar 13, 2023

TILT STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ADJUST UP AND DOWN. IT IS FIXED IN THE UP POSITION. IT WILL ADJUST IN AND OUT.

NHTSA ID

11344025

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

Mileage

83,257 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING BOLT CORRODED AND DETACHED FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V290000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,277. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11325442

Incident

Apr 24, 2020

Mileage

74,277 mi

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 ID

11047331

Incident

Nov 19, 2017

Mileage

34,000 mi

ON MAY-JUNE 2016 THE VEHICLE WAS SHOWING A WARNING LIGHT RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT, THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THROUGH A VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING MODULE. ONE WAS ORDERED. THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLE FOR A MONTH, PLACING AT RISK MY WIFE'S LIFE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FIXED BUT THE AIRBAGS NOW COULD BE DISABLE OR WILL MALFUNCTION IN THE FUTURE. SINCE THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE REPLACEMENTS OF ALL AIRBAGS, INSTEAD OF A TRIAL/WAITING IF THIS WILL MALFUNCTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WITH A RISK OF A PREVENTABLE DEATH OF ME OF MY WIFE, AS WE BOTH ARE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I APPRECIATE PLACING HUMAN LIFES INSTEAD OF MONETARY GAIN.

NHTSA ID

11045766

Incident

Jun 13, 2016

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10660904

Incident

Nov 25, 2014

Mileage

20,200 mi