624 of the
1,046 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GLK350
are about the airbag system —
60% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
RECALL NO: 19V-868 | VIN: [XXX] | CASE #: [XXX] VEHICLE: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 (X204) DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY PROBLEM: This complaint concerns a failure to adequately remedy NHTSA Recall 19V-868. Since [XXX], my vehicle has been grounded at Mercedes-Benz of Westmont. The dealer performed the recall out of sequence, ignored documented circuit faults, and refused mandatory Xentry commissioning and SCN Normalization, leaving the SRS system inoperative and uncertified. NHTSA records (Ex B-27) confirm the recall remains "Incomplete." MANUFACTURER ABANDONMENT OF SAFETY OVERSIGHT: On Feb 26, 2026, an MBUSA Executive Referral Manager (Case #[XXX]) stated by phone he would not read my 61-page safety complaint and classified the failure to verify the recall as a "dealer issue" due to franchise laws. Only 28 minutes after admitting he would not read the file, he sent an email falsely claiming he had "reviewed the documentation" and closed the case. By refusing to audit a documented failure to certify a safety repair, MBUSA is in active violation of its duty to ensure recall completion under 49 U.S.C. § 30120. COERCIVE SAFETY THREAT (49 U.S.C. § 30122): Service Manager Blake Farmer and Advisor Harry Arroyo explicitly threatened to remove the new airbag and reinstall the original defective recalled inflator (Ex B-6) during a billing dispute. This is a direct violation of 49 U.S.C. § 30122, which prohibits a dealer from knowingly making a safety system inoperative. DEALER NEGLIGENCE & ADDITIONAL RISKS: Dealer negligence regarding Part #204-440-68-41 (Ex B-17, B-26) caused a 5-day delay, resulting in a nationwide backorder. Furthermore, technician video (Ex B-10) shows an active oil leak (Code P2610-29), a fire/stalling hazard per MBUSA TSB LI05.20-P-067123 that the dealer refused to diagnose. ATTACHED: 61-page filing with 28 exhibits and 3 notarized affidavits. The 60-day federal deadline is April 4, 2026. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11720856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On August 17, 2025 I rearended a vehicle in front of me who jammed on their brakes for no apparent reason. We were the only two vehicles in the area. Upon impact, the following airbags deployed....steering wheel, driver knee airbag. I sustained injuries to my lower extremities from the exploded knee airbag which contained metal components that impaled my skin. I continue to receive treatment for multiple injuries and the wounds that have not healed. My safety was at risk due to the metal components (shrapnel) deployed via the exploded knee airbag. I also sustained injuries my left wrist from the steering wheel airbag, and my left chest from the tightening of the seatbelt. The local Mercedes Benz dealer recently towed the vehicle from my home address to their facility for inspection of said airbags. As of today, I have not received any report from MBUSA.
NHTSA complaint #11711759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger head restraint exploded no accident no bump nothing !!! The car had just been in for service 2 months ago I have video saying excellent condition..11,500 miles only ..I went to Mercedes they are charging me $900.00 for new headrest they said plastic parts broke cannot fix :(
NHTSA complaint #11690404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11626813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Out of no where when I cranked my car the airbag light came on in my car. I took it to have a diagnostic test done and the report shows short circuit at steering gear and driver air bag squib. When I look up my make and model a previous recall for driver airbag comes up, but it's not assigned to my specific vin. Also, there was a previous recall for the steering gear bolts on my make and model but it also was not assigned to my vin. NO ONE AT MERCEDES WILL HELP ME! THEY STATE NO ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO ASSIGN RECALLS TO A SPECIFIC VIN IF IT WAS MISSED IN ERROR. My vehicle currently has no airbags cause the system has disabled itself to prevent possible deploy malfunction. Can you please help me. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11578969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the airbags warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11561371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
My 2010 glk 350 4matic first while taking my daughter to school one day my dashboard lights up and start making a alert sound ,my dashboards reads steering wheel malfunction/abs/ebs brake inoperative. Had it diagnosed and service tech couldn't find the problem related to this . He try to get me to fix my sterring wheel pump and coolant fan!! Idk I didn't let the device tech do any work . I saw on you tube how to do a left right sterring wheel and the service code disappeared it been two weeks and it hasn't came on all.now I got another service code srs airbag 2 malfunction/inoperative!! .when car is on it shows that air bag 2 isn't on !! This has to be a manufacturer error since not even the service tech knew what exactly trigger this to show on my dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11469868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component or system failed or malfunctioned: Brake pedal -does not brake effectively Engine :Alternator/ignition-the car would not start on me Cigarette lighter: front cigarette lighter does not work (greater fuse or electrical problem Inspection: Car was returned to Hawthorne Auto Square for repair and ultimately returned and sale of the used car was cancelled due to these issues. Please inspect car at Hawthorne Auto Square 11646 Prairie Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Please do not allow Hawthorne Auto Square to resell this car it is a hazard to all Safety of myself and others were put at risk: - when attempting to brake, the car does not stop in a safe distance (dangerous can cause car crash) ( this happens to many GLK 250s) -the car is not starting after being started(dangerous if driving and cuts off in traffic and causes accident) air bag disabled -light coming on in car( if airbags that dont work someone could die) -electrical wire-there is a loose electrical wire in the trunk of the car that could shock someone cigarette lighter- front cigarette lighter does not work ( this happens to many GLK 250s) axle- appeared faulty -causing the car to wobble( this happens to many GLK 250s) -Car has problem and has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center -Car has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure I noticed the problems around 3/30/2022 In addition: Mercedes Benz all GLK 250s need; Advanced driver assistance systems , lane departure and Advanced emergency braking system (AEBS)
NHTSA complaint #11459870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown - A light has come on stating the driver airbag is not functional. I am fearful of driving my vehicle worried that if I am in an accident the airbag will not protect me. I have never been in an accident in this vehicle and have maintained it promptly on all services and maintenance. I have always valued the Mercedes brand this is my 3rd vehicle and I am saddened that this has happened.
NHTSA complaint #11455523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and saw the front driver’s side headrest air bag had deployed independently. The contact stated that there was no injury sustained. The contact stated the instrument panel displayed an error message of the driver’s and passenger’s side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) had malfunctioned. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with the seat wiring harness had malfunctioned causing the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) to be illuminated. The contact was not aware of the repair needed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11453362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 2020100005 (replace Takata passenger-side module Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair? The manufacturer was notified of the issue but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was in an act of nature accident with a deer. The severe frontal impact damage didn't deploy the airbags. this is a major safety concern with the sensor electrical system, and the already RECALL airbags. The customer is receiving no resolve according to the NHTSA department approve lawsuit settlement claim filed.
NHTSA complaint #11441695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but did not provide any assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11438886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
According to Takata, in the event of an inflator explosion metal fragments could pass though the air bag cushion material, which mayores últ in injury or death to vehicle occupants.
NHTSA complaint #11422201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.