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2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 137 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, most often about the air bags (73% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about GLK350 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 problems
Air bags
100 complaints · 73%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
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…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. While driving between 12 and 18 MPH, the driver rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver ruptured discs two through seven in the neck, which required medical attention. The other driver was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle…
Steering
8 complaints · 6%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…
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…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside and outside of the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked fuel leaked underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side fuel tank housing had cracked causing…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong gasoline odor inside and outside of the vehicle. The dealer…
Brakes
7 complaints · 5%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…
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.…
Electrical
6 complaints · 4%Vehicle automatically locked leaving my 3 year old in the vehicle strapped to her carseat. The key fob was in the vehicle at the time. My wife left the keys in her purse since they are bluetooth keys and placed them inside the vehicle and walked around to drivers side to get in. Vehicle self locked while she was…
I just left my house and drove approximately 2 miles. I was stopped at a stop sign and as I made a turn and accelerated, I felt a drag and then a loud noise coming from under the front of the car. I then smelled smoke and saw black smoke coming from under the car. I pulled over and got out of the car and saw flames…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 4%Panoramic sunroof explosion. Driving on a city street at 45 MPH when suddenly the closed sunroof shattered. No foreign objects or contact occurred. It was spontaneous explosion.
Engine
4 complaints · 3%I just left my house and drove approximately 2 miles. I was stopped at a stop sign and as I made a turn and accelerated, I felt a drag and then a loud noise coming from under the front of the car. I then smelled smoke and saw black smoke coming from under the car. I pulled over and got out of the car and saw flames…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle to 2 independent mechanics for a smog check inspection, she notified the mechanics that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The mechanics stated that at times the electrical sensor needed to be reset. Several…
Transmission
4 complaints · 3%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…
The car puts itself into automatic "park" mode when slowing down, applying brakes and speed drops below 7 MPH. 9 instances have happened, once in reverse. The temperature of car not an issue, this occurred whether using key fob inserted to start car or using push button. Dealer bulletin li54.25-p-056472 addresses…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 recalls
Infotainment and connectivity: communication
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mbusa has initiated an over the air (OTA) remote update. Mbusa will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began december 23, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (ecall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2019/rmisc-19v787-4620.pdf
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began march 29, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2014 c250, c300 4matic, c350, c63 amg, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, sls amg cabrio, sls amg coupe, 2014-2015 c250 coupe, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, glk 350, glk250 bluetec 4matic, glk350 RWD, 2015-2017 e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2014-2017 e550 cabrio, and 2014-2016 e550 coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, pr, as, gu, the mp, and vi or "zone a." additionally, mbusa is recalling certain 2012-2014 c250, e350 4matic coupe, sls amg cabrio, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2011 c300, 2011-2014 c300 4matic, c350, c63 amg, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, sls amg coupe, 2015-2016 e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2011-2016 e550 cabrio, e550 coupe, 2011-2015 glk350 4matic, glk350 RWD, and 2013-2015 glk
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on february 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2013 c250, c250 coupe, c350 coupe 4matic, c300 4matic, c350, c350 coupe, c63 amg, c63 coupe, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, e550 cabrio, e350 coupe 4matic, e550 coupe, glk350 4matic, glk250 bluetec 4matic, glk350, sls coupe, sls amg gt coupe, and sls roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, mbusa is recalling certain 2010 c300, c300 4matic, c63 amg, e350 coupe, e550 coupe, glk350, and glk350 4matic vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, o
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in december 6, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 cla250, cla250 4matic, cla45 amg 4matic, 2015-2018 gla250, gla250 4matic, gla45 amg 4matic, c300 4matic, c63s amg, 2012-2014 c250, c350, c300 4matic, e550 4matic, 2013-2014 c63 amg, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2013-2015 c350 4matic coupe, glk250 4matic bluetec, glk350, glk350 4matic, 2016-2017 c350e, c43 amg, 2015 c400 4matic, 2016-2018 c63 amg, glc300, glc300 4matic, 2017-2018 c300 coupe, c300 4matic coupe, c43 amg, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg coupe, c300 cabriolet, c300 4matic cabriolet, c43 amg cabriolet, c63 amg cabriolet, c63s amg cabriolet, glc300 4matic coupe, glc43 amg, glc43 amg coupe, 2014 e350 coupe, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabriolet, e400 hybrid, 2015-2017 e400 coupe, e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabriolet, 2014-2017 e550 coupe, e550 cabriolet, b250e, 2014-2016 e250 bluetec, e63 amg 4matic wago
Steering
Risk: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began may 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2013-2014 c250, c300 4matic, glk250 4matic bluetec and glk350 vehicles, 2013 c250 coupe, c350, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe and c63 amg coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 glk350 4matic vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: The higher illumination level may cause glare to oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes benz will notify owners, and dealers will update the software calibration number (scn) of the subject electronic control unit. The recall began in september 2014. Owners may contact mercedes benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mercedes benz) is recalling certain model year 2013 glk350 and glk350 4-matic vehicles, manufactured from may 31, 2012, through august 2, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the affected vehicles have voltage in the parking lamp circuit that exceeds the maximum value listed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (100 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); steering (8 complaints); fuel system (8 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 1, 2019 (infotainment and connectivity). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about GLK350 model year since 2000, with 137 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.