Problem Lookup › Mercedes-Benz › GLK-Class › 2013
Car problem report
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 146owner complaints
- 5crash reports
- 1fire report
- 3injuries reported
146 complaints, against an average of 143 for the other 3 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class model years.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
The components named most often in the 146 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 146 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Risk: On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Fix: Replace the steering gear mounting bolts on the affected vehicles with steel bolts. Should the bolts break or already be broken change the steering gear.
UK DVSAThe passenger air bag may not deploy as specified
Risk: The passenger airbag may not deploy as specified.
Fix: Replace the passenger airbag.
UK DVSAThe passenger air bag may not deploy as specified
Risk: The passenger airbag may not deploy as specified.
Fix: Replace the passenger airbag.
UK DVSATakata airbag might not deploy as specified
Risk: Certain climatic conditions may cause a chemical change to the airbag propellants over time.
Fix: Replace the driver and passenger airbags.
UK DVSATakata airbag might not deploy as specified
Risk: Certain climatic conditions may cause a chemical change to the airbag propellants over time.
Fix: Replace the driver and passenger airbags.
UK DVSASoftware update required to improve emissions
Risk: Improve the vehicle emissions via software updates
Fix: Update the diesel engine control unit software and add a supplementary booklet for the operator's manual. Check and replace N0x sensor if necessary.
UK DVSASoftware update required to improve emissions
Risk: Improve the vehicle emissions via software updates
Fix: Update the diesel engine control unit software and add a supplementary booklet for the operator's manual.
EU Safety GateThe three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting…The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe aluminium bolts of the steering box may break.This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under…The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe steering column is not sufficiently earthed.As a result, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, the driver's airbag may be triggered when not required. This could cause an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe steering coupling might not have been screwed to the correct torque specification.As a consequence, the steering coupling can become detached from the steering wheel axle and it would become impossible to steer the vehicle.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective.This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class owners report?
12 of the 146 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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…
I am reporting a safety issue involving my Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 following repairs performed by an authorized dealership, Critz Mercedes-Benz in Savannah, Georgia. I brought the vehicle in due to persistent noise when shifting gears and steering-related symptoms. I asked the dealership to fully investigate the cause of the issue and not limit the diagnosis or repair to any single system, as I am not a mechanic and relied on their expertise. I paid $5,674.90 for the repair. During the process, a service advisor contacted me regarding an additional charge of approximately $800, which I approved…
I am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, particularly related to the fuel pump system under the rear passenger area. It has come to my attention that the fuel pumps in these vehicles emit a strong, unpleasant odor every time the car is refueled. This poses a significant risk to both the driver and passengers. I have personally experienced a similar issue with a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, where the pumps were constructed with a substandard plastic material that, over time, will melt and start dripping from the top of the pump. This degradation of…
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 :(
Brake lines prematurely rusted through and through causing brakes not to work
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.
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…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz GLK350. The contact stated that after driving approximately 30 minutes or more they would begin smelling a fuel odor coming from the rear end of the cabin. There were no warning lights. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact found their vehicle's failure related to the recall 2012 however the recall did not include their year. The manufacturer was made aware and confirmed their vehicle was not included. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000…
When the car ids in drive, it at time hesitate to engae and also drag when the transmission change or whne it is give gas. This leads to drag from the rear wheels and vibrations. It happens also wheel one slows and wants to increase speed. Whne the car was about one yea old, I notice this a few times and complained - I was told they did not notice anything like that. But it happened oens in a while. But now it is every day occurence - more frequenlty since December 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake fluid and brake warning lights illuminated, and shortly after adding brake fluid the warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear brake lines were corroded, causing brake fluid to leak and the brake lines needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle there was rusting of the rear subframe. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was…
Transmission goes into park at low speed when braking.
VEHICLE HAS ~ 20K MILES, BROUGHT INTO DEALER BECAUSE ABS LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING SAYING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. DEALER THEN FOUND GAS TANK LEAK, AND WOULD NOT LET ME LEAVE THE DEALER, BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. SEARCH SHOWS RECALL FOR EARLIER MODEL YEAR 2012 WITH SAME ISSUE, BUT DEALER SAYS NO RECALL FOR 2013. ABS SENSORS ARE ALSO MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS FOR ABS SENSORS. TWO BEEN REPLACED WITHIN ONE WEEK!
Mercedes-Benz guides on CarHooq
- Mercedes Regenerative Braking - How It WorksGuide · 11 min read
- Mercedes Brake Dust Problem - How to Remove Brake Dust from the Inside Wheel and Between Wheel NutsGuide · 13 min read
- Mercedes Sprinter Cabin Air Filter ReplacementGuide · 14 min read
- A Detailed Guide on Mercedes BlueTec CoolantGuide · 11 min read
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class; the most common categories were air bags (102, 69.9%), steering (8, 5.5%), electrical system (7, 4.8%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 5 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 3 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
Across 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (69.9% of complaints), steering (5.5% of complaints), electrical system (4.8% of complaints), service brakes (4.8% of complaints), power train (4.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
8 of the 146 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (5.5%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. One owner wrote: "Passenger seat sensor malfunction at 43k miles causing airbag malfunction light comes up or sensing a passenger while no one is sitting" (NHTSA complaint 11151621, November 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Can the sunroof on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class shatter or fail?
6 of the 146 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (4.1%) describe the sunroof or panoramic roof shattering, exploding or failing. One owner wrote: "Driving 45-50 mph on the road alone and am startled by loud noise which resembled a gunshot. i immediately checked the dash to see if any warning lights were illuminated but saw nothing." (NHTSA complaint 11066702, February 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class have rust or paint problems?
6 of the 146 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (4.1%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "Dealer reported to me that the brake lines are rusted. Dealer reported the lines are painted rather than coated as they were in the past. Vehicle is less than 10 years old so brake line rusting seems unusual." (NHTSA complaint 11478881, August 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own GLK-Class
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only.