Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Mercedes Benz GLK250
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
728.0%
Electrical System
312.0%
Median failure at 106,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
312.0%
Median failure at 12,750 miles
Other & Unspecified
28.0%
Median failure at 71,500 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
28.0%
Median failure at 39,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
28.0%
Median failure at 65,500 miles
Brakes
28.0%
Median failure at 53,015 miles
Steering
28.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.0%
Median failure at 42,015 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
325.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
325.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
216.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2015peak 5Dec 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Mercedes Benz GLK250
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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.C...
Recalls on the 2015 Mercedes Benz GLK250
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
15V351000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 E250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 15, 2014, E250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2014, December 17, 2014, GLK250 vehicles manufactured November 13, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 ML250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured December 12, 2014, to February 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Risk: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
14V762000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 E250 BlueTec, E250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, and 2015 ML250 4Matic BlueTec vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 10, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Risk: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Meridianville, AL
STEERING
The steering adjustment moves in and out but will not move up or down. You can hear a clicking noise like it’s trying to move but nothing happens to the steering column.
NHTSA complaint #11703480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powder Springs, GA
ENGINE
The DEF exhaust system has failed. It was replaced before under a recall. The warranty was previously extended on the system but I am outside of the mileage window but inside of the time window. I have $6000 in repairs so far and am trying to get assistance. I have been dealing with issues since October 2024
NHTSA complaint #11640604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panama City, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2020050005-Modificationto emission control system cause:F Was informed of the Mercedes-Benz Recall for 2015 250 GLK BlueTec which I took to Dothan, AL Mercedes-Benz Dealership to have done for my safety. The car was not repaired correctly. It started to smoke a gray smoke coming up from under the car on the passenger side of the car over the front tire. I do have pictures. It smells as if it is about to catch on fire. The car never had any problems before this botched repair. Now they say they cannot find the problem. I’m afraid to drive it until they do. Each time they return it, the smoke is worse.
NHTSA complaint #11443312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The driver's side seat failed. Due to a seat electrical harness failure the seat became stuck and neither the seat seatback or headrest could be moved. I could comfortably still reach steering wheel and pedals but my wife could not safely do so. The car has approximately 36k miles on it. I paid to repair this $831 negotiated down from $1600+. This is a pressing NHTSA issue because on the repair invoice the technician noted that a 40 amp fuse had been installed in a 30 amp socket. Presumably it came from the factory in this condition. The car has only been serviced by MBZ dealers - 2, palm springs and sandiego- and to my knowledge no one has touched the fuses or box. The electrical system from the factory is running 40 amps on a circuit designed for 30. This is a manufacturing or design defect which will likely as here, cause failure and could possibly at least to my non electrical engineer's mind cause fire.
NHTSA complaint #11431865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
STEERING
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11423654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11423654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CLEAR LAKE (500 GULF FWY S, LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573) , WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11364191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reston, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHANTILLY (14841 STONECROFT CENTER CT, CHANTILLY, VA 20151) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11340359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesEatonville, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #11310441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesEatonville, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #11310441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesEatonville, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #11310441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGranite Falls, NC
POWER TRAIN
CAR WILL PUT ITSELF IN PARK WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING UP ON A STOPLIGHT THAT WAS RED BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN PARK AT THE SAME TIME THE LIGHT WAS TURNING GREEN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND
NHTSA complaint #11307940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGranite Falls, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR WILL PUT ITSELF IN PARK WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING UP ON A STOPLIGHT THAT WAS RED BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN PARK AT THE SAME TIME THE LIGHT WAS TURNING GREEN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND
NHTSA complaint #11307940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesMorehead City, NC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ACCELERATION FROM A STOP - WHEN YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. HAVE TO PUMP PEDAL 2-3 TIMES FOR CAR TO ACCELERATE. HAVE ONLY NOTICED AROUND TOWN WITH FREQUENT STOPS.
NHTSA complaint #11281939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mukilteo, WA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LYNNWOOD (17800 HIGHWAY 99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037, 425-673-0505) WHERE HE WAS ASSURED THAT THIS WAS NOT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED AN APPROXIMATE DATE AS TO WHEN THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS MIGHT BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11280350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250BT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LEHIGH VALLEY AT 610-756-9831 (LOCATED AT 3401 LEHIGH ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11256901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesOrchard Park, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DIESEL EMISSIONS FALSE POSITIVE OR SUSPECT SOFTWARE
NHTSA complaint #11186756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. MERCEDES IS NOT SCHEDULED TO REPLACE TAKATA RECALLED AIRBAGS IN UTAH UNTIL MAY OF 2020. THIS IS OVER ONE YEAR AWAY. WE HAVE A SUBARU THAT IS HAVING AIRBAGS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. WHAT IS THE DISCONNECT WITH MERCEDES GETTING AVAILABLE PARTS AND WHY ARE THEY MAKING THEIR VEHICLE OWNERS WAIT SO LONG?
NHTSA complaint #11186591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: TBD, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 2019010001 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING PART AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11181978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Ellyn, IL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL FILING A COMPLAINT TO STATE THAT THE PROJECTED REPAIR DATE FOR MY VEHICLE IS IN AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. I WAS GIVEN THE DATE OF MAY 2020 FOR A FIX TO OUR VEHICLES ISSUE. THIS MAKES DRIVING THE VEHICLE CHALLENGING AS I HAVE A FAMILY AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
NHTSA complaint #11181150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesHingham, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR MY MERCEDES GLK SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A .MESSAGE THAT SAID 'INOPERATIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' APPEARED. WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT STARTED UP WITHOUT PROBLEM. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, AS THERE IS REPAIR WORK BEING DONE AND PART OF THE HIGHWAY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT HIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #11079872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesHingham, MA
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR MY MERCEDES GLK SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A .MESSAGE THAT SAID 'INOPERATIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' APPEARED. WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT STARTED UP WITHOUT PROBLEM. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, AS THERE IS REPAIR WORK BEING DONE AND PART OF THE HIGHWAY DIDN'T HAVE A SHOULDER. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT HIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #11079872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesKissimmee, FL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
NHTSA complaint #10789656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesGreenwich, CT
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
NHTSA complaint #10778814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesGreenwich, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ GLK250. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
NHTSA complaint #10778814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.