YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 5th out of 9 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 137 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, with airbags as the top problem area at 73% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#5 of 9 Glk350 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
137
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2014
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 24.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy during head-on and rear-end crashes, leading to injuries in at least one case.
  • The engine RPM was reported to surge to 4,000 while stopped, requiring the engine to be shut off and restarted.
  • The vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly while shifting from reverse to drive, resulting in a crash into a garage.
  • A fire started under the front of the car shortly after a drag and loud noise were felt while turning.
  • All exterior lights and turn signal indicators stopped working intermittently while driving.
  • The sunroof shattered spontaneously while parked or driving with no impact or extreme temperature involved.
2013 Mercedes-Benz Glk350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter182014 Q12015 Q22017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22022 Q22023 Q42025 Q3
137 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)0255075100200620072008201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution63133418
2012Avoid88167418
2013Caution50137621
2014Good38104521
2015Avoid75114421

All Mercedes-Benz Glk350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th out of 9 GLK350 model years. Airbags account for 73% of the 137 complaints filed.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 GLK350?
Airbags are the top problem area, with 100 complaints (73% share) and a median failure mileage of 60,650 miles, including reports of non-deployment during crashes.
Does the 2013 GLK350 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2013 GLK350, covering airbags, steering, electrical software, and an eCall timing fault, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 GLK350 compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 50, the 2013 model is better than the 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2012 (88, Avoid) but worse than the 2014 (38, Good) and 2007 (25, Good) model years.

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.