2014 Mercedes Benz GLK350 problems

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that after reversing out of the garage, there was a large rust puddle near the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The driver returned to the residence, and the contact also noticed the clunking sound as the driver was pulling into the driveway. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear coil spring had fractured in half. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the fractured rear coil spring had damaged the shock absorbers and other components. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to schedule an appointment. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11755258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside vehicle. The check engine, TPMS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11750586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside vehicle. The check engine, TPMS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11750586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside vehicle. The check engine, TPMS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11750586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes Benz GLK. The contact stated he heating element burned through the front driver side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an internal fault in the driver seat back heater; however the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11740866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11693897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11693897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -The entire electrical system failed and the power steering, SRS, and ABS systems malfunctioned. Yes, it’s available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Last night around 9 pm CST we crank the car and started to drive, (no warning light at that time) and all of a sudden the car had a warning message to start the engine or the vehicle would turn off the engine although we were already driving. The car started to show all the lights and the brakes got harder to press while we were driving about 40 miles per hour. We couldn’t stop completely at the traffic light and the SRS light came on in the dashboard. After we got off the main road, the power steering locked up as we were trying to turn into a parking lot to safely park. Even after removing the key, the engine remained on and the headlights. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No, a dealer has not confirmed electrical problems for this specific VIN, although there has been a “blanket recall” on the models in this class. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -No, not to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -The battery light turned on around 9 am when I was driving my son to his appointment. Then the light went off. Later on in the day, I was able to drive approximately 30-40 miles before going home. In the evening, when driving to the grocery store, the battery light came back on and went off. After leaving grocery store, this is when the car malfunctioned. The ABS and SRS were prominent during the malfunction.

NHTSA complaint #11666040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -The entire electrical system failed and the power steering, SRS, and ABS systems malfunctioned. Yes, it’s available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Last night around 9 pm CST we crank the car and started to drive, (no warning light at that time) and all of a sudden the car had a warning message to start the engine or the vehicle would turn off the engine although we were already driving. The car started to show all the lights and the brakes got harder to press while we were driving about 40 miles per hour. We couldn’t stop completely at the traffic light and the SRS light came on in the dashboard. After we got off the main road, the power steering locked up as we were trying to turn into a parking lot to safely park. Even after removing the key, the engine remained on and the headlights. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No, a dealer has not confirmed electrical problems for this specific VIN, although there has been a “blanket recall” on the models in this class. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -No, not to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -The battery light turned on around 9 am when I was driving my son to his appointment. Then the light went off. Later on in the day, I was able to drive approximately 30-40 miles before going home. In the evening, when driving to the grocery store, the battery light came back on and went off. After leaving grocery store, this is when the car malfunctioned. The ABS and SRS were prominent during the malfunction.

NHTSA complaint #11666040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -The entire electrical system failed and the power steering, SRS, and ABS systems malfunctioned. Yes, it’s available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Last night around 9 pm CST we crank the car and started to drive, (no warning light at that time) and all of a sudden the car had a warning message to start the engine or the vehicle would turn off the engine although we were already driving. The car started to show all the lights and the brakes got harder to press while we were driving about 40 miles per hour. We couldn’t stop completely at the traffic light and the SRS light came on in the dashboard. After we got off the main road, the power steering locked up as we were trying to turn into a parking lot to safely park. Even after removing the key, the engine remained on and the headlights. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No, a dealer has not confirmed electrical problems for this specific VIN, although there has been a “blanket recall” on the models in this class. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -No, not to my knowledge. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -The battery light turned on around 9 am when I was driving my son to his appointment. Then the light went off. Later on in the day, I was able to drive approximately 30-40 miles before going home. In the evening, when driving to the grocery store, the battery light came back on and went off. After leaving grocery store, this is when the car malfunctioned. The ABS and SRS were prominent during the malfunction.

NHTSA complaint #11666040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

On 1/17/25, I was on my commute to my office when I noted a very strong and unpleasant odor. Thinking it was from a truck in front of me, I passed the truck, cracked my passenger window and continued the short distance to my office. After work, when I returned to my car, I noted a hole burned through my driver's side leather seat. I didn't make the connection to the odor from that morning until I arrived home and did some online research. It turns out that my front seat warmer had malfunctioned, burning all the way through the leather. This problem is well documented online in various forums in my year, make and model. In some cases I read about, driver's clothing burned. In one case I found, a child was burned. This is also a well documented problem that occurred in earlier models of Mercedes, resulting in a lawsuit and a recall. My car is currently at the dealer for repair of the faulty seat warmer, replacement of the burned foam cushion, and replacement of the leather seat cover. This could have been so much worse had I been earlier in my commute, or on a highway where I could not have pulled over. It seems like this problem should prompt a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11638529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On 1/17/25, I was on my commute to my office when I noted a very strong and unpleasant odor. Thinking it was from a truck in front of me, I passed the truck, cracked my passenger window and continued the short distance to my office. After work, when I returned to my car, I noted a hole burned through my driver's side leather seat. I didn't make the connection to the odor from that morning until I arrived home and did some online research. It turns out that my front seat warmer had malfunctioned, burning all the way through the leather. This problem is well documented online in various forums in my year, make and model. In some cases I read about, driver's clothing burned. In one case I found, a child was burned. This is also a well documented problem that occurred in earlier models of Mercedes, resulting in a lawsuit and a recall. My car is currently at the dealer for repair of the faulty seat warmer, replacement of the burned foam cushion, and replacement of the leather seat cover. This could have been so much worse had I been earlier in my commute, or on a highway where I could not have pulled over. It seems like this problem should prompt a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11638529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

On January 01, 2025, I started my wife's car after adding coolant. I just want to warm it up since we did not use it in a couple of days. I activated the heated seat on the driver side where I was seated and was just looking at the dashboard. I felt something on back right side and thought that there was an insect bite. When I turned and look, I discovered a dime size red small flame and smoke on the seat and realized that it is possibly and part of the heated seat heating element that burned through the seat material and burned my sweater a little bit. I turned off the heated seat immediately and shut off the car and made sure the burning stop or was out. I was thankful that this happen while I was just warming out the car and stationary and that it did not happen while my wife was driving the car. This could have produced a dangerous situation, a bigger fire while driving and could have cause an accident. I called the Mercedes Benz service department which was possibly closed but I got a call back the following day and they said that there is no open recall on this vehicle on anything. I ask what is my option and the answer was to get it checked at the service dept. and that it would cost $351.00 just to find out what was wrong with it. I schedule service for Jan 14, 2025 at 3:30 pm. No police or insurance inspection was done. There has been no warning lamp or message to warn me of the problem. Jan 01, 2025 is the first time it happened. I told my wife not to use the heated seat and put a note on the car to inform anyone that will be in the car even though it is just my wife and I that drives the car.

NHTSA complaint #11633753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to engage as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an inspection, and it was determined that the parking brake release had failed to snap upwards. The contact stated that the pedal was releasing slowly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11622865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle is a 4 wheel drive SUV, having the Mercedes-Benz "4Matic" drivetrain, has it's Center Differential Planetary Gearset (With Integral Clutch Pack) in failure. Mercedes is clearly aware that this is a drivetrain component that fails prematurely as there is a Technical Service Bulletin (LI28.00-P-051499) that provides methodology for diagnosing the failure for 4Matic equipped vehicles from 2003 to 2016, specifically listing 83 different 4Matic equipped vehicles. Particular caution is called out as to special lubrication required prior to assembling the component into the drive train. Very likely that the root cause of the widespread failures was the part not being installed correctly. Though the failure evidences initially by front wheel vibrations and shuddering at low speed, it is a latent serious safety issue in that the component could fail catastrophically when stressed, i.e., hard acceleration when merging onto a highway, at best causing a sudden imbalance in front/rear propulsion resulting in an affected vehicle compromised in its steering, or at worst locking up front or rear wheels resulting in a spin out. Mercedes has replaced this equipment under warranty for an unknown number of vehicles, but refuses to acknowledge how widespread the problem is. Mercedes Customer Assistance says "no recall' so refuses to address the issue and flatly told me to take it up with the NHTSA. Public safety dictates that all affected vehicles need to be inspected for the failure and these defective components replaced as a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11595543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment for the auxiliary battery replacement, the contact was informed that water was in the spare wheel storage location. The contact was informed that the water level measured to be a quarter of a foot of water. In addition, the water was also noticed to be in the auxiliary battery storage area. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,714.

NHTSA complaint #11572326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The following are malfunctions that are a high risk when driving: •airbags •ball joints •coolant •control arms •electrical power system It is a risk when driving due to the ball joints and control arms not properly secured. Engine warning light

NHTSA complaint #11563424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The following are malfunctions that are a high risk when driving: •airbags •ball joints •coolant •control arms •electrical power system It is a risk when driving due to the ball joints and control arms not properly secured. Engine warning light

NHTSA complaint #11563424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The following are malfunctions that are a high risk when driving: •airbags •ball joints •coolant •control arms •electrical power system It is a risk when driving due to the ball joints and control arms not properly secured. Engine warning light

NHTSA complaint #11563424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Steering column is stuck tilted in upmost highest position and will not adjust down lower.

NHTSA complaint #11559515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

On 11/18/2023, while driving my GLK350 2014, I decided to open and later close the sunroof. As I closed the sunroof, I heard a distinct cracking sound, which caught my attention. Initially, I was unsure of the source of the sound and continued driving. It wasn't until I arrived home that I made a shocking discovery - the front black stationary window panel, located just above the windshield, had shattered unexpectedly. Prior to this incident, I had meticulously cared for my car, ensuring it was regularly maintained and kept in excellent condition. There were no visible cracks or signs of damage on the front black stationary window panel. I even hand-washed the vehicle earlier that day and inspected the panel, confirming its integrity. I had a clear view of the area around the car while I was on a ladder, ruling out the possibility of any rocks or debris causing the breakage. My adult daughter was present in the car with me as a witness to this unfortunate event. We were both astonished by the sudden and unexplained shattering of the window panel. Given the circumstances, it became evident that there is a significant safety concern regarding the GLK350 2014 model's front black stationary window panel. The shattered panel poses serious risks to the safety of both the driver and passengers. These risks include compromised structural integrity, the potential for harmful glass projectiles, and impaired visibility that could lead to accidents or hazardous driving situations. To address these urgent safety concerns, I have written this letter to request an immediate safety recall for all GLK350 2014 vehicles. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all drivers and passengers who rely on your esteemed automobile brand. Please consider the gravity of this situation and take swift action to rectify

NHTSA complaint #11555900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11535706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #11528333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.