Mercedes GLK years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Mercedes GLK years

The worst Mercedes GLK years are 2010 and 2011. We counted owner complaints and recall campaigns for each model year straight from NHTSA, then read the complaints to see what owners were actually reporting.

• Complaints: the NHTSA complaint database lists the vehicle as “GLK-Class” and covers both the GLK 350 and GLK 250 (accessed October 27, 2026). These are raw complaint counts, not rates per vehicle sold.
• Recalls: we counted the distinct recall campaigns that name the GLK for each model year in NHTSA’s recall data file (downloaded October 27, 2026). Several campaigns cover only part of a year’s production, so the count says how many campaigns name that year, not how many a given car needs.
• Owner-reported repair data: CarComplaints.com (accessed October 27, 2026), with the caveat that it holds very few GLK reports - 29 for the GLK 350 and 4 for the GLK 250 across all years.

One thing skews every GLK year: most NHTSA complaints are about airbags, and when we read them, the large majority are owners waiting for parts on Takata inflator recalls rather than reporting new failures. In 2010, 137 of the 149 airbag complaints mention Takata, a recall or parts. So we gave the most weight to the non-airbag complaints, especially fuel-system reports. Our years to avoid methodology explains how we weigh volume, severity and mileage at failure.

Every Mercedes GLK model year ranked

Complaint counts are from the NHTSA complaint database (accessed October 27, 2026). Recall counts are the distinct NHTSA campaigns naming the GLK for that model year (recall data file downloaded October 27, 2026).

Most common Mercedes GLK problems

Outside of the Takata airbag recalls, the GLK problems that show up most in NHTSA complaints and recalls are gasoline smells and leaks from the fuel tank area, oil leaks on the GLK 250 diesel, and a handful of steering, lighting and software recalls.

1. Gasoline smell and fuel leaks from the fuel filter flange

NHTSA recall 12V-557 (filed December 2012) covers certain 2011-2012 GLK 350s built April 18 to July 12, 2011, along with other Mercedes models. The plastic fuel filter flange can crack at high temperatures and leak fuel, which can cause a fire if there is an ignition source. Fuel/propulsion is the most-tagged non-airbag component in NHTSA complaints on the 2010 (26), 2011 (20) and 2012 (12) GLK (accessed October 27, 2026). Owners describe a strong gasoline smell after filling up, in the garage, or from the rear seat area. Several 2010 and 2011 owners say their car had the same smell but wasn’t covered by the recall.

On CarComplaints, the third most-reported GLK 350 problem is “fuel odor when tank is full” on the 2010 model, with an average repair cost of $1,000 at 90,000 miles (accessed October 27, 2026, based on a small number of reports).

Buyer takeaway: on any 2010-2012 GLK 350, sniff around the fuel filler and rear seat after a fill-up, and check whether 12V-557 applies to the VIN and has been done.

2. Takata airbag inflator recalls (every model year)

Every GLK model year is named in at least one Takata inflator recall. These include 16V-081 (driver inflator, 2010-2012 GLK 350), 16V-363, 17V-017 and 18V-043 (inflator ruptures, rolled out by region), and 19V-010 (passenger inflator, 2010-2015). NHTSA’s recall summaries say the passenger inflators can rupture because the propellant degrades after years of heat and humidity, and that a rupture can throw metal fragments at the people inside. Most GLK airbag complaints on NHTSA are from owners waiting for replacement parts, not reports of new failures.

Buyer takeaway: a GLK with an open Takata recall is not one to drive home. Confirm every inflator campaign shows as complete for that VIN.

3. Airbag control unit corrosion (2010 only)

Recall 15V-711 (filed October 2015) covers 2010 GLK 350s along with 2008-2009 C-Class sedans. A manufacturing error can let the airbag control unit corrode, so the airbags might deploy without a crash or fail to deploy in one. It is one of the main reasons the 2010 GLK sits at the bottom of our ranking.

4. GLK 250 BlueTEC oil leaks and emissions fix

Recalls 14V-762 (2014-2015) and 15V-351 (2015) cover GLK 250 BlueTEC diesels where oil can leak from around the chain tensioner gasket onto hot engine parts, creating a fire risk. Recall 21V-539 covers some 2013 GLK 250s that had the wrong transmission fluid filter and overflow pipe fitted during a service repair.

Every US GLK 250 (2013-2015) is also part of the 2020 Daimler diesel emissions settlement with the EPA and CARB, which requires a software and hardware emissions update (settlement filed September 14, 2020). The California Air Resources Board’s list names the GLK250 for 2013, 2014 and 2015.

5. Steering, lighting and software recalls on facelift cars

The 2013-2015 cars have more recall campaigns, but most are small. Recall 17V-252 covers 168 vehicles across several models (2013-2015 GLK) where the steering coupling bolt may not have been tightened enough, which could cause loss of steering. Recall 12V-493 covers 218 early 2013 GLK 350s whose parking lamps were too bright under federal lighting rules. Recall 19V-787 fixes eCall software that could send emergency responders the wrong date and time. Recall 17V-627 covers a driver airbag that could deploy without a crash. NHTSA lists all of these as free dealer repairs.

Which Mercedes GLK years should you avoid

The Mercedes GLK years to avoid are 2010 and 2011. The 2010 has the most NHTSA complaints of any GLK year (241), including 12 that report a crash and 7 injuries. It also has the most fuel/propulsion complaints and is the only year covered by the airbag control unit corrosion recall (accessed October 27, 2026). The 2011 shares the fuel smell pattern and is the first year covered by the fuel filter flange recall.

Worst Mercedes GLK years: 2010, 2011

Pre-facelift Mercedes GLK (2010-2012)

Every pre-facelift US car is a GLK 350 with a 3.5-liter V6. The 2012 has more total NHTSA complaints (171) than the 2011 (134), but 136 of the 2012 complaints are about airbags. Its fuel/propulsion count (12) is less than half the 2010’s. That is why we rate the 2012 as mixed, not as a year to avoid. A 2012 with a closed 12V-557 recall, closed Takata recalls and no fuel smell is a reasonable buy at the right price.

Facelifted Mercedes GLK (2013-2015)

For 2013, Mercedes gave the GLK 350 a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp), ECO Start/Stop, a more efficient seven-speed automatic and electromechanical steering, according to Mercedes-Benz USA. The GLK 250 BlueTEC diesel arrived in early 2013. As the first year of the new powertrain, the 2013 has the most recall campaigns of any GLK year (7), though several cover only a few hundred cars. CarComplaints rates the 2013 GLK 350 its worst year, with warped rotors ($700 average at 11,000 miles) and a shattered sunroof as the top reports, but that rating rests on only 6 owner reports (accessed October 27, 2026).

What are the best Mercedes GLK years to buy

The best Mercedes GLK years to buy are 2014 and 2015, ideally the GLK 350. These are facelifted cars with the newer engine and the lowest NHTSA complaint counts of any GLK year.

Most reliable Mercedes GLK years: 2014, 2015

The gap between the best and middle years is small. From 2011 on, every GLK year has between 126 and 171 NHTSA complaints, and most of them are Takata-related. The condition and recall status of the car you are looking at matter more than the year. On CarComplaints, the most-reported GLK 350 problem is paint bubbling on the 2014 (accessed October 27, 2026). Check the paint closely, especially on 2014 cars.

Mercedes GLK submodel years to avoid

The US GLK came in two versions: the gasoline GLK 350 (rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive, 2010-2015) and the GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC diesel (2013-2015).

Mercedes GLK 350 years to avoid

Avoid the 2010 and 2011 GLK 350. The fuel-system complaints, fuel filter flange recall and 2010 airbag control unit recall all fall on early GLK 350s. If you want a GLK 350, a 2014 or 2015 is the safest choice.

Mercedes GLK 250 BlueTEC years to avoid

No GLK 250 year stands out as clearly worse than the others. All three are covered by the diesel emissions settlement, and 2014-2015 cars have the chain tensioner oil-leak recalls. CarComplaints has only 4 GLK 250 reports in total (accessed October 27, 2026). The most-reported is an AdBlue sensor failure on the 2015, with a $3,600 repair at 75,000 miles from a single report. Before buying any GLK 250, get written confirmation that the emissions update and both oil-leak recalls have been done, and have the AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) system scanned for faults.

Mercedes GLK pre-purchase checklist

Before you buy a used GLK, check:

• Run the VIN on NHTSA’s recall checker: every Takata inflator campaign, 12V-557 (2011-2012), 15V-711 (2010) and 17V-252 (2013-2015) should show as complete.
• Smell for fuel after a fill-up: check the filler area and around the rear seat on 2010-2012 cars.
• On a GLK 250 BlueTEC, look for oil on the engine and check the emissions update: ask for proof that 14V-762/15V-351 were done and that the emissions update from the Daimler settlement has been installed.
• Inspect the paint: look for bubbling, especially on 2014 GLK 350s.
• Check the brakes on 2013 cars: feel for pulsing through the pedal that can mean warped rotors.
• Get the full service records: confirm regular oil changes and transmission services, and get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist.

Better alternatives to consider

If the GLK in your budget is a 2010 or 2011, or the recall history is unclear, consider these instead:

• Mercedes-Benz GLC - the GLK’s direct successor from the 2016 model year, if your budget stretches to a later car
• Audi Q5 - a compact luxury crossover from the same period that is easy to find used
• BMW X3 - a close rival in size and price, with its own year-by-year issues to check
• Lexus RX - a larger, comfort-focused luxury crossover with a strong reliability reputation

Is the Mercedes GLK worth buying

Yes, if you buy a 2014 or 2015 with all recalls closed and full service records. Skip the 2010 and 2011. The GLK’s complaint record is dominated by Takata airbag recalls that apply to many brands, not by engine or transmission failures. Its own weak spots are fuel leaks on early cars and oil-leak and emissions recalls on the diesel, and all of these can be checked before you buy. The youngest GLK is now more than ten years old, so the condition and maintenance of the individual car matter more than the year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Mercedes GLK years to buy

The best Mercedes GLK years to buy are 2014 and 2015. They are facelifted cars with the newer direct-injection V6 on the GLK 350, and the 2014 has the fewest NHTSA complaints of any GLK year (126, accessed October 27, 2026).

What are the worst years for the Mercedes GLK

The worst years for the Mercedes GLK are 2010 and 2011. The 2010 has the most NHTSA complaints of any GLK year (241) and the only airbag control unit corrosion recall (15V-711). The 2010 and 2011 also draw the most fuel-system complaints, and the 2011 is covered by the fuel filter flange recall 12V-557.

What year Mercedes GLK has the fuel leak problem

Recall 12V-557 covers certain 2011-2012 GLK 350s built between April 18 and July 12, 2011, where the fuel filter flange can crack and leak. Fuel smell complaints on NHTSA are most common on the 2010 and 2011, and some 2010-2011 owners report the same smell on cars the recall doesn’t cover.

Does the Mercedes GLK have Takata airbags

Yes. Every GLK model year from 2010 to 2015 is named in at least one Takata inflator recall, including 16V-081 for driver inflators on 2010-2012 cars and 19V-010 for passenger inflators on 2010-2015 cars. Check the VIN on NHTSA and only buy a car with every inflator campaign closed.

Is the GLK 250 BlueTEC affected by the Mercedes diesel emissions settlement

Yes. The 2013-2015 GLK 250 BlueTEC is covered by the 2020 Daimler settlement with the EPA and CARB, which requires a software and hardware emissions update. Ask the seller for proof the update has been installed.