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Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 has 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 159. The most common issue is air bags problems (62% of all complaints), specifically: tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz glk350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repa. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 7 crash reports 2 injuries

149

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

93 complaints
62%
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPA
  • "TAKATA RECALL" MERCEDES-BENZ USA HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR AND IT MAY RUPTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE. THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED A DATE FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR THEREFORE WE ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT MAY CAUSE BODIIL
  • "TAKATA RECALL" RECALL LETTER SAYS NOT NECESSARY TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL RECEIVING SECOND LETTER. TWO DAYS AFTER RECEIVING LETTER-AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. HAVE NOT RECEIVED SECOND LETTER. SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT BAGS WONT GO OFF BY THEMSELVES AND THAT TH
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPA

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Based on 36 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
5
30-60K
10
60-100K
8
100-150K
10
150-200K
3
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 38K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

High-mileage issuemedian 100K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
3
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,667
Per month
$222
Per mile
22.2¢
MPG
18
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,921
Full coverage / month
$160
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+15%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 155K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
4 yr / 50K mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2011 GLK350, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 149 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: I'VE BEEN SMELLING GAS AN FUMES FIELD ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND NOTICED THATLAYELY IVE BEEN LOSING GAS AND MILEAGE AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT JUST BE OVER FLOW BUT IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.IM NOW HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MY CAR INTO THT RIGHT GEAR I CAN ONLY THINK THAT MY GAS AND TRANSMISSION IS FAULTERING SOMEHOW THOUG

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: PARKED ON A 45 DEGREE SLOPE. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WITH THE RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN AS FAR AS THE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL. RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE INCLINE. LOCAL MECHANIC CONFIRM

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: TAKATA RECALL HAS STILL NOT CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO FIX THE AIRBAGS WHICH I FEEL IS A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATO AND I DON'T FEEL MY FAMILY AND I ARE SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER TRAVELING TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT, WHEN PUT THE KEY IN THE POSUTION TO CRANK VEHICLE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz GLK350 — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
149
Recalls
0
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
7
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
159

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350