32 of the
1,046 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GLK350
are about the other systems —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
The vehicle involved is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle that experienced severe corrosion and deterioration of the rear subframe component. The subframe is available for inspection upon request and has been identified as unsafe due to excessive rust and structural corrosion. The corrosion created a major safety risk because the subframe supports critical suspension and stability components. The condition could have caused loss of vehicle control, suspension failure, or an accident while driving, placing both myself and other drivers at risk. The problem has been confirmed by a dealership and/or independent repair facility. I was informed that Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged similar rear subframe corrosion issues and that this condition may fall under a manufacturer warranty or extended coverage program. The vehicle and damaged component have been inspected by service technicians, and repair estimates/documentation are available. The corrosion appears excessive for the age and normal use of the vehicle. Prior to discovering the failure, there were symptoms including unusual noises from the rear suspension area, instability while driving, and visible rust underneath the vehicle. The issue became more noticeable over time before the inspection confirmed severe subframe corrosion.
NHTSA complaint #11740280 — 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.
I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY WITH SPEED OF 60 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN AND DUE TO SUDDEN AIR COMING INSUDE, MY CAR WAS SHIFTED AND I DROVE TO NEAREST EXIT AND NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED, I WAS UNABLE TO PULLUP THE WINDOW AND TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE NOTED HE HAS SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND THE REGULATOR SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONS. THE COST IS ESTIMATED $1,000 TO FIX IT. I WOULD LIKE TO WARN THAT I AM A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IF THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO A DRIVER WITH LESS EXPERIENCE, IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. my insurance decuctible is $2000 and cost to fix it $1000
NHTSA complaint #11672580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The seats on both the passenger and driver size has split at the seams. They began to appear in 2012. The battery failed and the car would not start. Periodically the car starts up slow. The car bucks in a hard motion when trying to accelerate. The car makes a grinding noise, with a dragging feeling, while driving. Mechanics cannot figure out what or where the sound and feeling is coming from.
NHTSA complaint #11665203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear powered tailgate closes by itself. There is no warning. It closes VERY rapidly. This hit me in the head, but I am mostly concerned with others, such as elderly people and children. It could easily cause a concussion, or worse. I have contacted MBUSA advocacy at 1-800-222-0100 three times. I was told all three times that I would be contacted back within 24-48 hours (business days) regarding this safety issue. It has now been two weeks, and I have not received anything such as a returned phone call, email, etc. The vehicle is at my residence and available for any inspection or test, etc. I also have video of this problem. Again, the rear powered tailgate closes by itself, without warning. It closes VERY rapidly with force far greater than gravity alone.
NHTSA complaint #11578750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subframe is completely rotted. Taken to several mechanics who were unable to diagnose handling problems and severe tire wear. After research this is a common problem, we were never notified this could be an extremely dangerous and hidden issue. Car is unsafe to operate without expensive repairs. Unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11541939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subframe of the car rusted and rotted from inside out. to the point of rear suspension completely detached from subframe. it caused my car to fish tail and lose control under even slow breaking conditions. once we discovered the problem we were told the car was a death trap and was absolutely unsafe to operate. we found out this is a common problem for this MB model type. the problem was already under recall in Europe. there are thousands of existing owner complains about the exact same issue. MB USA initially refused to acknowledge the problem, but on 2/14/2023 they sent a memo to all US dealers to repair rotted subframe for free under "extended warrantee". however, they refused to pay for the full repair even after dealership specifically informed them that it was not possible to complete the repair without replacing thrust arm and rod, which were damaged due to the Subframe failure. this incident endangered me and my family, cost $2000+ out of pocket for repairs in addition to the loss of access to my vehicle for at least 3 weeks.
NHTSA complaint #11507640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drove to a parking lot turn the car off, the steering wheel did not lock, and when trying to start the car nothing happened. The car was dead other than door locks and a few things like the radio. Found out on YouTube how to start the car. After starting the car the steering wheel had a clicking noise as it turned right to left and it would occasionally lock. After turning the wheel left and right a couple of times I was able to steer the car. We drove the car 2 miles to our home and along the way while turning the steering wheel would lock. Repeated the same process right to left and it let me steer again. Went slowly down the road with the flashers on and managed to get it home into the garage. I would not let anyone drive a car like this totally unsafe. There are no recalls which is unbelievable since there are many many instances online of the same thing or similar happening to other people. The manufacturer should be forced to replace or repair with better quality components. I am afraid to replace these parts for fear it will just happen again as is the case with many people I read about online. I intend to disable this anyway I can so I can continue to use this car. Please step in and insist Mercedes-Benz corrects this obvious problem. I hope you can.
NHTSA complaint #11506202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2015GLK 350 shifts into an Automatic P (Parking) while driving under 6 miles per hour. When shutting the car off and immediately starting, the transmission automatically performs another Automatic P (and puts the car into Park) when driving under 6 miles an hour. This puts myself and other drivers at risk. The failure first appeared 60 days after purchase of this vehicle (first happened in August 2021). I took the car in to the independent repair shop in Long Island, NY in Nov 2021. I've had the car looked at and by an independent repair shop and they could not immediately identify the issue. No warnings lights or sounds went off before the automatic p (park) happened. The independent dealer did some research and referred me to an alert from 3/2015 *Topic number LI54.25-P-056472 Version 3 *Key in Electronic Ignition switch (EZS) is not recognized, automatic transmission shifts to Park before vehicle comes to a stop! Cause - An assembly issue I am wiling to get the car repaired, just wanted help with Good Will Assistance from Mercedes Benz, because he cause of this issue is assembly related and my VIN falls under the alert/assembly issue.
NHTSA complaint #11483489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear sub frame corrosion which caused the back tire of the driver side to fail off and lose control of the vehicle, which put myself and other drivers in harm because of lost of vehicle. The rear sub frame has corroded sooner than it's lifecycle. The dealership has confirmed the issue, inspected the part and has replaced. There were no warning lights that have gone off on the vehicle to notify of the issues. Driver hit a pot hole and the frame cracked due to premature corrosion.
NHTSA complaint #11478831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component or system failed or malfunctioned: The part of the car that malfunctioned was mainly the brake pedal. It was stop and go traffic and the car in front of me remained stopped after traffic resumed moving forward, I moved forward with the traffic and the front end of my car impacted another car in a car crasdh. I did not excellerate greater than 5 miles an hour but the brakes of the 2013 Mercedes Benz GLK malfunctioned and failed me. The impact of the car should not have caused any damage. I am claiming the car crash/impact was caused by the malfunction of the breaks. Airbag failure-Also the air bag never opened although my car has had all recalls fixed. The other parts of the car that failed: impact bar grille fender brakes tires axle side bar radiator Also please note that the front cigaratte lighter does not work in my 2013 GLK 250 or my former 2012 GLK 250. This is a problem for GLK Yes the car is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others put at risk: due to the car crash No the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. No the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others No there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?
NHTSA complaint #11459882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON I35 AT THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP OVERHEAD. I WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS, WONDERED IF IT WAS GUN FIRE. A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I GOT IN MY VEHICLE, AND THE SUN WAS OUT, I WAS CLOSING THE SUNROOF COVER WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED, PIECES OF GLASS WERE EVERWHERE AND BEGAN FALLING WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE COVER. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS SHREDS OF GLASS ARE EVERYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #11390524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRONG FUEL/GAS SMELL NOTICE EVERYTIME FUEL TANK FILLED UP, STRONG GAS SMELL OR ODOR NOTICE INSIDE THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE FOR DAYS OR UNTIL FUEL USED AND GO DOWN TO CERTAIN LEVEL. ALSO NOTICE LEAKING ON THE WIPER FLUID TANK/RESERVOIR WHEN FILLING UP.
NHTSA complaint #11387268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING MY CAR. THERE IS MOLD BUILD UP IN THE AC SYSTEM, WHICH IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE, THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO THE HEALTH IF MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY TO MY SON WITH ASTHMA. MOLD CAUSES MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO OUR HEALTH IS AT RISK EVERYTIME WE GET INTO THE CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. GETTING A DIFFERENT CAR ISN'T AN OPTION UNLESS THIS ONE CAN BE BOUGHT BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11328074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL PARTS ARE NOT IN AND HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER A YEAR. MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED ON SAFETY AND RESALE VALUE OF THE CAR. MY WHEEL COVERS ARE ALSO RUSTING AND I WAS PROMISED REPLACEMENTS FOR IT
NHTSA complaint #11221865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ESL FAILURE (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) FAILED. CAUSING A LOCK UP OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND NO START FAILURE. IT WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PICKED UP AND TOWED TO A GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11104721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE GLASS ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY BAD AND HAS SPECS AND VISIBILITY IS BAD WHEN IT'S DAYLIGHT AND SUNNY OUT THERE MB DEALER RECOMMENDED XRAIN BUT IT' HASN'T IMPROVED
NHTSA complaint #11048401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.