NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
This page covers 6 recalls, 136 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350.
21 mpg combined
11.2 L/100km
Small 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. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, the complaint picture is dominated by airbag and restraint system issues, which account for the large majority of reports filed. Owners most commonly describe passenger-side airbag components behaving unexpectedly, including head restraints deploying or activating without any collision or impact. Steering complaints appear in a smaller cluster, with owners reporting noise and handling symptoms that sometimes surface after shop visits. A handful of reports involve the fuel system, where owners describe a strong odor during or after refueling, concentrated near the rear passenger area. A single report mentions brake lines rusting through prematurely, causing brake failure, but that appears in isolation rather than as a repeated pattern. The airbag and restraint category is clearly where complaint volume concentrates on this model year.
136
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving airbag inflators that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, and a steering coupling bolt that may not have been tightened properly, causing the driver to lose steering control.
Both the driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators are subject to recalls tied to the widespread Takata inflator issue. The passenger-side inflator can rupture violently and scatter sharp metal pieces toward occupants, and the driver-side airbag carries a separate risk of deploying without warning while the vehicle is in motion, which can cause a crash. These are distinct defects affecting different sides of the front seat. On the steering side, a connecting bolt in the steering coupling may be loose enough that the driver loses the ability to steer, with no warning before it happens.
The emergency call system carries a software fault that can cause the system to report the wrong date, time, and vehicle location when a crash triggers an emergency call, which could slow the response of first responders reaching the scene. On the lighting side, a small window of vehicles built in mid-2012 have headlights that shine at a higher intensity than regulations allow, producing glare that can affect oncoming drivers.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
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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
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software 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 due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
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 driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt connecting the steering coupling may not be tight enough, which could cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the steering coupling bolt as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking lamp circuit in affected vehicles receives excessive voltage, exceeding safety limits set by federal standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software to correct the voltage issue in the parking lamp circuit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.