NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
This page covers 5 recalls, 240 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Glk350.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Airbag complaints dominate the 2010 GLK350's complaint picture by a wide margin, with owners frequently reporting the airbag warning light illuminating and staying on while driving. Many of these owners describe being told their VIN fell outside the coverage of an existing airbag service campaign, leaving them without a repair path. Fuel system complaints are the second most-reported area, where owners describe fuel pump components cracking and leaking gasoline, in some cases into the vehicle's interior. A smaller cluster of suspension complaints describes the rear subframe developing corrosion significant enough to cause instability during braking, with some owners noting the ABS and stability control systems also disabling as a result of the structural deterioration.
240
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has 5 recalls, all involving the frontal airbag system, where inflators on both the driver and passenger sides can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, with potentially fatal results.
Three of the recalls cover the Takata passenger-side frontal airbag inflator. In a crash requiring airbag deployment, the inflator can explode rather than inflate normally, throwing sharp metal fragments toward the driver and passengers. These recalls are tied to high-humidity regions and affect vehicles registered in states such as Florida, California, and others with similar climates, where heat and moisture accelerate the deterioration that leads to rupture. The driver-side frontal airbag inflator carries the same risk: in a crash, it can rupture and send fragments toward the driver or others in the vehicle. There is also a separate concern with the airbag control unit itself, which can corrode and malfunction, causing the frontal airbags to deploy without warning even when no crash has occurred, raising the risk of injury and potentially causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflators may rupture during a crash because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control unit may corrode due to a manufacturing error, causing it to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.