YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 Glk350 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 3rd worst out of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 73% of its 137 complaints, with 6 recalls filed, including three airbag-related campaigns.

Complaints
137
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
5 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags100 (73%)
  2. Fuel System8 (6%)
  3. Steering8 (6%)
  4. Structure & Body8 (6%)
  5. Brakes7 (5%)
  6. Electrical System7 (5%)
  7. Engine7 (5%)
  8. Other5 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain4 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or rear-impact crashes, sometimes causing head injuries.
  • Vehicle lunges forward unexpectedly when shifted into drive, leading to collisions with fixed objects.
  • Engine compartment produces a loud noise and smoke, followed by flames while the car is stopped or turning at low speed.
  • All exterior lights and turn signal indicators stop working intermittently while driving, with no dashboard warning.
  • Sunroof glass shatters spontaneously with a loud bang while the vehicle is parked or driven in cold weather.
  • Parking brake freezes and fails to release or reapply after regular use.
2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter182014 Q12015 Q22017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22022 Q22023 Q42025 Q3
159 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (18).

2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  2. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  3. NHTSA 18V043000Jan 10, 2018Airbags132,167 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

See all 6 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 →

2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other Glk350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Best20133418
2012Avoid80167418
2013Caution60137621
2014Best0104521
2015Good40114421

All Mercedes-Benz Glk350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 reliable compared to other GLK350 years?
It ranks 3rd worst of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. The 2010 GLK350 (Complaint Index 100) and 2012 GLK350 (80) rank worse, while 2011 and 2014 rank best.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2013 GLK350?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 73% of the 137 complaints logged for this year, with a median failure mileage of 60,650 miles.
Does the 2013 GLK350 have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls affecting the 2013 GLK350, including campaign 18V043000 covering passenger frontal air bag module replacement.
How many recalls does the 2013 GLK350 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 GLK350, covering airbags, steering, electrical system, and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 GLK350?
EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.