Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that fuel was present leaking from the rear passenger's side of the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Extremely Urgent Safety Warning! Similar to the the passenger fuel filter extended warranty on the passenger side, the driver's side plastic fuel filter pump is obviously visably defective and forming a large crack, thereby leaking a significant amount gasoline into the back seat, with much also draining out the bottom of the vehicle. Additionally, the metal studs securing the filter are painted, making removal of the filter difficult without breaking the studs. No warning lamps or messages.
Lately, everytime I filled up the gas tank, I can smell gas from the rear left area. After some time when the tank is maybe a little over half the smell is gone. I assume there is a leak somewhere from the fill pipe to the tank. Maybe a bad rubber connector, gasket/seal failure? The vehicle has never been involved in any crash. Normal usage. Low mileage. Should this be covered by MB warranty at no cost to the owner? Thank you.
Two fuel tank leaks that are a fire hazard. First one was around fuel pump, cracks in plastic flange. Had repaired with a sealant. Recently another leak around the filler tube. Leak around passenger side rear wheel when filling tank. Strong smell of gasoline if not completely filled to cause leak. I would think a dangerous fire hazard. I see recalls for other year models, but not 2010, even though basically identical.
Due to the same defect Mercedes issued a recall for on the 2011 GLK, the fuel and sender pumps cracked due to a product defect causing gasoline to leak out of the vehicle as well as into the vehicle. The leak is near the exhaust causing a high degree of risk for car fire. Online research reveals numerous 2010 GLK owners with the same issue at various points in the life of the vehicle.
When my child was riding in the same car with me, my car suddenly died due to all fuel leaked out. Our car ran out of gas because all fuel were leaked. We can smell gas inside the cabin. Initially I thought car died because we ran out of the gas. After receiving 2 gallon gasoline from the tow truck, we saw dripping gasoline from the bottom of the car when the car engine is on. I am glad it did not happen to me on the highway or there was no fire sparkles near by. My car is only 110K miles with no accident record. I do not expect a car has a defective hazard like this. People could be killed. We took the car to the dealership. Fuel Pump Assembly 221-470-17-90-28 and Fuel Filter Unit221-470-17-90-28 will be replaced. Benz has recalled 2011 model. …
On 4/24/16, a Toyota rear ended me and pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. The damage would have been repairable until my car caught on fire. It looked like it started in the inside above the gas tank area, but the man working at the impound lot the next day said it looked electrical. Either way, the impact should not cause a Mercedes to catch on fire. I was on a city street stopped at a stoplight.
Our car has developed a serious fuel leak on the drivers side rear. When the tank is filled to capacity, or near capacity, a serious gasoline odor develops. The other night when we discovered this problem, our entire home became engulfed in these fumes and we had to remove the car from the garage and put it out on the street. Also, when we moved the car out of the garage, we noticed gasoline was dripping from under the car and formed trail of gas all the way out into the street. The leak is caused by a faulty fuel filter/filter housing. This particular part is what was recalled and replaced by Mercedes Benz in the 20011 and 2012 model years. Our car is a model year 2010, but it has the same fuel filter (part #2214700390 from autohaus az)) and if you shop for a new one, you can see it is the same for the years 2010 thru 2012. …
On a hot humid day on July 21, 2019 after driving for 70 minutes of mostly highway mileage, there was a strong gas smell as I exited the driver's side door. My daughter exiting the rear passenger side door also noticed the intense smell of gasoline. The next day, I drove a short distance of 7 minutes and again I notice strong nauseating gas smell as I exited the car. Called the dealership and told to bring car in as soon as possible. I was informed that the fuel filter cracked. I researched the internet and noted that the 2011 and 2012 GLK350 models were on recall list; however the 2010 model was not! I was given an estimate of $1250 (labor and parts included) for the replacement of new fuel filter. I will upload receipts as soon as the job is completed (I am waiting for the work to be completed as I type this report).
Fuel/gas tank leaking after filling up the tank. Car smell of gas and pool of gas observed on the floor of the garage. I have to backed up the car on the street to avoid possible fire on my property. This is the second incidence...the first incident was a week ago, the car smells of gas and I brought the car to my mechanic and he can't find any leak in the fuel system nor on the fuel tank, the gas tank was half empty at that time. After filling up the tank on 4/10/13, that is when I've noticed that the gas is leaking (pool of gas on the floor) from the fuel tank after parking in car at home.
Fuel System complaints in other GLK350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, 12% of the model year's 241 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.