Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Fuel/Propulsion System - There is a gas leaking from somewhere above the gas tank. I did not have this fixed yet because I see a recall for this but my VIN wasn't included in the initial recall. There are 17 other complaints on here for the same issue but we haven't been included in the recall as of today 1/2/2023. The recall that fixed other 2011 GLK 350s is NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). My car is available for inspection upon request. I am very afraid of a fire because the tray underneath the car on the passenger side is full of gas & the tray is right over the exhaust. I stuck a large cotton swab in the tray to soak up the liquid & since it smelled like gas I tried to light it. It caught on fire immediately. This is definitely a safety hazard as it can ignite if a spark or lit cigarette would happen to bounce up in there. …
I'm having the same issues as described in Recall no. 12V557000. However when I called Mercedes they mentioned that my Vin wasn't part of that recall. I don't understand how can that be when my car is 2011-2012 glk350 model as described in recall and I smell gas, can see gas leaking and the flange where my fuel filter is cracked as well as the flange to the fuel pump side. This car as well as many other Mercedes have two separate flanges that are prone to crack and not just the fuel filter side but the fuel pump side as well. there's many forums where they all have complained about this issue. If you can smell gas, there's obviously fuel vapors leaking and not to the mentioned the physical leak that is landing everywhere you drive. This is a serious fire hazard and is extremely harmful to my kids and passengers.
When we fill up the SUV with gas, there is a very strong odor of gas outside of the passenger door & some odor "inside the SUV. We looked online Motortrend.com said Certain 2011-2012 MB CLK 350 4matic are being recalled for a potential fuel leak caused by a crack in the fuel filter flange, Dec 15, 2012.' We stopped by MBenz of Lynnwood, Wa and spoke Garrett, a service rep. Garrett said that this was not a safety issue and we can continue to safely drive the SUV. We disagreed! We are very concerned because we believe there is a safety issue, our SUV has a crack fuel line could catch on fire while we are driving and potentially anyone around us could be affected. We did not get a malfunction or error message.
I noticed the smell of fuel coming from my vehicle, specifically when I top off at the gas station. This is dangerous as fuel can combust if ignited. I took the vehicle to be service, to find out about the fuel odor and was advised of the NHTSA recall. Upon researching I see that although the NHTSA recall #12V557000 specifically covers this issue, when entering my VIN, the recall does not appear for MY specific vehicle, which is a 2011 GLK-350. It appears there are several affected vehicles not included in the recall. This is a failure on behalf of Mercedes Benz as it is simple to conclude that the issue includes more vehicles than initially recalled. These vehicles need to be included as well.
I noticed fuel / gas smell from my vehicle. I looked up cause for this type of occurrence. I was referred to a recall bulletin for this particular cause - Recall Campaign #2013020002. My vehicle (VIN #) is not on the recall list. Both MB dealerships in my area state I would have to cover the cost to replace the Fuel Filter Flange. I am certain the Fuel Filter Flange is defective and should be listed in the recall. I pulled up the rear seat and removed the cover to expose the Fuel Filter Flange. There was gasoline on top of the Fuel Filter Flange. (I have documented with pictures).
After a fuel fill-up, I smell fuel inside the cabin and outside by the gas tank opening. This causes a constant stress..., what if there is a fire? I heard and read so many similar complains and concerns. This should constitute for a RECALL. What is the responsibility of NHTSA to the consumer's safety.
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 though I haven't taken it in due to money issues at this time. My steering column and handling seems out of alignment column feels shaken and faulty and difficult to handle at times at others times
When I fill up my 2011 glk 350 with gas I have a very strong raw gas smell from the vehicle. It is so bad that I am afraid it will cause a fire inside my garage. It goes away as the fuel is run out of the vehicle. I check with Mercedes and with my VIN # it was not on a recall list however many other glk 350 were on a recall list for the same problem. It is recall 12V557000. I feel Mercedes should cover all 2011 glk 350 for this issue as it is a definite safety issue with raw gas leaking. It was also in a bulletin sent to dealers about this issue. NHTSA id 10059568. It is a leaking fuel filter flange. It is also a very dangerous problem!! The fix for it is replace the fuel filter flange and plastic pump also normally at a cost of $1200.00 at the dealer. Mercedes needs to recall all 2011-2012 glk 350 for this issue in my opinion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that they would smell a fuel odor coming from outside the vehicle. The contact stated they noticed a leak coming from underneath the vehicle as well. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel leak with the fuel pump. The certified mechanic informed the contact that their failure was related to NHTSA campaign number 12V557000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (Mercedes-Benz of hilton head located at 155 fording island rd, bluffton, sc 29910 phone number [phone]) who informed the contact that their vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz glk350w2. The contact noticed that once the fuel tank was full, the fuel began to leak out without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V557000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. Consumer states that fuel leak was due to a crack in the plastic housing. On 11/05/19 vehicle was taken to Mercedes Benz of ontario (ontario, ca) to be repaired. The fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter were replaced under an emissions warranty.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Fuel System complaints in other GLK350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, 16% of the model year's 133 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-557 (fuel system, gasoline, Dec 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 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.