Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Problems by Year

We compared every Mercedes-Benz GLK250 model year from 2013–2015 using 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 8 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2014, which drew far more complaints than other GLK250 years at the same age. The best years are 2013.

3model years
46complaints
8recalls
2014worst years
2013best years

Complaints by model year

20132014201562119
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz GLK250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2015191.3×5AirbagAverage
2014211.8×5AirbagCaution
20136−67%6AirbagGood

* Complaints compared with the median GLK250 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mercedes-Benz GLK250 problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2014
    2452%
  • Other / not specified
    817%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2015
    511%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2015
    49%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2014
    49%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2015
    49%
  • Steeringworst: 2015
    37%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2014
    24%
  • Brakesworst: 2015
    24%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2015
    24%

Latest Mercedes-Benz GLK250 recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 21V-539 · Jul 16, 2021 · 371 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 GLK250 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder diesel engines. The incorrect type of transmission fluid filter and overflow pipe may have been installed during a service repair, which could result in a transmission fluid leak or control module failure.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the overflow pipe and transmission fluid filter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Communication

NHTSA recall 19V-787 · Nov 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-010 · Jan 9, 2019 · 288,779 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-043 · Jan 10, 2018 · 132,167 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 17V-627 · Oct 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

All 8 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mercedes-Benz GLK250 should you avoid?

2014 — this year has the most complaints relative to other GLK250 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2014.

What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz GLK250?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other GLK250 years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz GLK250 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (24), engine & cooling (5) and transmission & drivetrain (4). Airbag complaints peak in the 2014 model year.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz GLK250 had?

8 recalls across 2013–2015. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Mercedes-Benz GLK250 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.