Total Complaints
188 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 · model year
188 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012MERCEDES-BENZGLK350 carries 188 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 GLK350 is air bags with 132 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (12) and unknown or other (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2012 GLK350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
188 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 132 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 12 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
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.
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.
I brought my car in to my local mechanic and was told my rear suspension was corroded. He said it would cost around five thousand dollars to repair. I researched online and found mercedes did not have a recall but has extended the warranty and will cover the repair to the rear suspension. The mercedes dealer called me and told me my brake lines were rusted out and needed replacement and that it was not covered by the extended warranty and would cost thirty five hundred dollars. In all my years of driving, I have never had the brake lines rust out on a vehicle and can't imagine that this is not related to the suspension issue. I have done some research and seen many mercedes owners have had the same complaint. I believe mercedes benz should be responsible for this repair just like they are responsible for the corrosion with the rear suspension.
My passenger got 2 degree burns to his right buttocks and seat is melted ...he is a paralyzed patient i took him to the er and the burn center i have pictures and documentation....my guess the seat got to hot melted and burned him this what doctors concluded the is very scary for a seat to burn the skin off your butt
Driveshaft broke, peeling rims
Driveshaft broke, peeling rims
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.
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.
Electronic steering wheel lock is broken and engine will not start because of lock.
I smelled gasoline in my car didnât think of anything . Till today when i pumped gas it smelled very strong got home parked my car i notice a leak i look closer under and itâs leaking gas .just got this car 2 months ago There was a safety recall about this issue back in 2013 and I was not sure if this issue was corrected before on my vehicle and think this needs to be recalled again. Please investigate
RUPTURE OF LEFT REAR AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINES 1/26/24,8/30/24. BOTH TIMES THE FAILURE WAS UNANNOUNCED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER.
My rear subframe is rotted out but won't be replaced under warranty because there are no rust holes in the metal. The rust is very extensive, and the car isn't safe to drive. The rear metal brake lines are also rotten and need to be replaced. I've owned many cars older than this one with more miles, and I've never had rusted-out brake lines. This is a safety issue.
My rear subframe is rotted out but won't be replaced under warranty because there are no rust holes in the metal. The rust is very extensive, and the car isn't safe to drive. The rear metal brake lines are also rotten and need to be replaced. I've owned many cars older than this one with more miles, and I've never had rusted-out brake lines. This is a safety issue.
I smell gasoline every time I fill up the gas tank and don't smell it when not quite full. I haven't check yet but I think that the fuel pump flange has deteriorated. My co-worker has the same exact issue and he found out that it was the fuel pump flange. There was a safety recall about this issue back in 2013 and I was not sure if this issue was corrected before on my vehicle and think this needs to be recalled again. Please investigate. Thank you. Sincerely,
Evap small leak P0456 Car cabin smells strong gas odor check engine light is on
The plastic trim/cover that wraps around the steering wheel column and is the same color as the seats and interior heats up, melts, becomes brittle after the fact but could is fire hazard, especially with melting plastic falling into the driverâs feet and/or carpeting. When I googled the replacement part, I found out on The Internet that owners across America have had the same problem with their vehicles regardless of the year or model. Some believe there is a shortage in the wiring that allows the steering wheel to be raised, lowered, pushed away or brought closer to the driver. There should definitely be an investigation at the least and then a service bulletin and recall as a fire could definitely occur.
My mercedes GLK 350 4matic has a strong gas smell every time I fill up and I am afraid to park in my garage because of the very strong gas smell, and I am afraid of a fire.
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
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
My 2012 GLK350 leaking gas from under the rear right passenger seat, where the gas cap located. we fill up gas when we came back to home and park in the garage gas smell was very strong We thought may be because of spill some gas while Pumping. Next day gas smell was still strong inside of garage. I found gas leaking from under the rear right passenger seat. gas was dripping on the plastic cover Panel. I started google to find out what is the problem. Then I found NHTSA recall document #12V-557 regarding this problem, the Document specifically indicate and explained about faulty fuel filter flange might crack to leak gas fuel.it stated certain Model Year 2011-2012 GLK350.So I went House of import MB dealer service advisor [XXX] inspected car briefly then he checked MB recall status of my car. he said my car gas leak problem is not on recall list So they can't not repair under recall program. But he said there is another program that may cover it. I was confused and very upset . b
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.