Which Mercedes-Benz Glk350 model years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2010, 2012, and 2015 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, mostly from airbag complaints.

What year Glk350 is best?

The 2007 and 2014 model years rate Good based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with complaint index scores of 25 and 38.

Does the Glk350 have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years, making up 620 of 904 total complaints (69%), and multiple recall campaigns for passenger air bag modules affect 2010, 2012, and 2015.

Is the 2010 Glk350 reliable?

The 2010 Glk350 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Glk350 year and five recall campaigns, so it ranks worst among Glk350 model years based on NHTSA data.

How many total complaints does the Glk350 have?

NHTSA lists 904 total complaints across model years 2006-2015, with airbags accounting for 69% of them.

Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Best and Worst Years (2006–2015)

Avoid 2010, 2012, and 2015 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 models, which post complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75, driven mostly by airbag complaints. The 2007 and 2014 model years rate Good, while 2011 and 2013 fall in Caution territory.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012 Avoid 2015

Model years: 9; 2006–2015
NHTSA complaints: 904
Recall campaigns: 12
Crashes reported: 34
Fires reported: 9
Top problem area: Airbags

Glk350 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercedes-Benz Glk350 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	No verdict	13	2	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2007	Good	25	5	0	1	0	Airbags	—	—
2008	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2010	Avoid	100	241	12	2	5	Airbags	18	—
2011	Caution	63	133	4	2	4	Airbags	18	—
2012	Avoid	88	167	5	0	4	Airbags	18	—
2013	Caution	50	137	5	1	6	Airbags	21	—
2014	Good	38	104	4	1	5	Airbags	21	—
2015	Avoid	75	114	4	2	4	Airbags	21	—

Glk350 years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Index 100 · 241 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2010 Glk350 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall, with 241 complaints. Airbags account for 62% of them, with a median failure mileage of 65,000. Fuel system issues (12%) showed up around 88,287 miles. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns tied to this year, all involving airbag modules that needed replacement. Owners also described crashes tied to sudden acceleration and brakes that failed to stop the vehicle after shifting into drive. Twelve crashes and seven injuries were reported for this model year, more than any other Glk350 year.

2010 airbags problems →2010 fuel system problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2012 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Index 88 · 167 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2012 Glk350 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 88 and 167 complaints. Airbags dominate at 79% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,000. Four recall campaigns apply to this year, again centered on passenger air bag modules. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy properly during crashes and, separately, steering lock failures following minor collisions. Five crashes and three injuries were logged. Despite a lower complaint index than 2010, the airbag concentration and recall history keep this year in Avoid territory relative to other Glk350 years.

2012 airbags problems →

2015 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Index 75 · 114 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2015 Glk350 carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks third-worst, with 114 complaints. Airbags make up 74% of them, with a median failure mileage of 41,500. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including a Takata airbag module replacement and a steering grounding fix. Owners described crashes involving sudden acceleration, brake and steering malfunction, and fires following impact. One sample complaint noted a lengthy wait for Takata recall parts to become available. Four crashes, four injuries, and one death were reported for this model year.

2015 airbags problems →

Most common Mercedes-Benz Glk350 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags620 (69%)
Fuel System86 (10%)
Brakes44 (5%)
Electrical System43 (5%)
Engine42 (5%)
Structure & Body42 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (4%)
Steering34 (4%)
Other33 (4%)
Transmission & Powertrain22 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Mercedes-Benz Glk350 model years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2010, 2012, and 2015 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, mostly from airbag complaints.
What year Glk350 is best?: The 2007 and 2014 model years rate Good based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with complaint index scores of 25 and 38.
Does the Glk350 have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years, making up 620 of 904 total complaints (69%), and multiple recall campaigns for passenger air bag modules affect 2010, 2012, and 2015.
Is the 2010 Glk350 reliable?: The 2010 Glk350 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Glk350 year and five recall campaigns, so it ranks worst among Glk350 model years based on NHTSA data.
How many total complaints does the Glk350 have?: NHTSA lists 904 total complaints across model years 2006-2015, with airbags accounting for 69% of them.