AI Damage2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 filed 167 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 167
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 79% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 2% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 2% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 2% of all complaints
- Air bags: 132 complaints (79% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (2% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 4 complaints (2% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 167 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 132 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
[xxx] steering lock failure should be a recall. Mercedes charges $1100 to replace mine and everything I've read ppl are all having same common issues. I had no issues until after my car was hit in front when someone backed into me (very hard that is).
The cpa+ (collision prevention assistance) brake system fitted to our 2012 glk [address], without any traffic in front of our car for more than 100 feet, the automatic brakes jolted the car slowing it down suddenly from approx 70mph to approx 55mph.
While parking my car in a garage, it accelerated. Upon applying the brakes, it speeded up causing me to crash into a concrete barrier. Air bag did not deploy.
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.
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
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,401 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GLK350 has 100 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 167, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes. Total complaints: 167. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (4%), airbag warning light (2%), airbags did not deploy (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.