Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Out of no where when I cranked my car the airbag light came on in my car. I took it to have a diagnostic test done and the report shows short circuit at steering gear and driver air bag squib. When I look up my make and model a previous recall for driver airbag comes up, but it's not assigned to my specific vin. Also, there was a previous recall for the steering gear bolts on my make and model but it also was not assigned to my vin. NO ONE AT MERCEDES WILL HELP ME! THEY STATE NO ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO ASSIGN RECALLS TO A SPECIFIC VIN IF IT WAS MISSED IN ERROR. My vehicle currently has no airbags cause the system has disabled itself to prevent possible deploy malfunction. Can you please help me. Thank you.
Unknown - A light has come on stating the driver airbag is not functional. I am fearful of driving my vehicle worried that if I am in an accident the airbag will not protect me. I have never been in an accident in this vehicle and have maintained it promptly on all services and maintenance. I have always valued the Mercedes brand this is my 3rd vehicle and I am saddened that this has happened.
Passenger head restraint exploded no accident no bump nothing !!! The car had just been in for service 2 months ago I have video saying excellent condition..11,500 miles only ..I went to Mercedes they are charging me $900.00 for new headrest they said plastic parts broke cannot fix :(
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while her son was driving at unknown speeds on the highway. The contact was in traffic when he notice the vehicle behind him was not stopping. The vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle causing the vehicle in front of the contact to be hit as well. No air bags deployed. A malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact had a minor injury to his back, both arms, and left eye. It was unknown if the other individuals involved in the crash sustained injuries. A police report was made. Medical attention was sought but no further assistance was needed. The vehicle was towed by the police to a tow away lot. The manufacturer was no made ware of the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle had damaged to the front grill, rear window and left side of the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz GLK350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the contact was involved in a head on crash with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. It was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated that the SRS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a diagnostic fee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V363000 (air bags) and 16V081000 (air bags). The parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer did not know when the parts would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. While driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a whining noise coming from the dashboard. The contact stated that the noise was heard when the vehicle was traveling 65 to 70 MPH. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag might not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to carmax (21939 southwest fwy, richmond, tx 77469, [phone]) where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V043000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V043000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fletcher jones motorcars (located at 3300 jamboree rd, newport beach, ca 92660, [phone]), but the part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall!! Per my VIN #, my 2013 Mercedes Benz glk 350 has been recalled effective jan 10 2018. Sixty days have passed and not only is there no remedy available, but I have not even been notified. I found out when I tried to trade my car in for a new car. I have moved to montana from california and need a AWD car. My current car is proving dangerous to drive. I cannot sell it!!!! It is a danger for me to drive and I cannot get rid of it. Please help me get it fixed or have Mercedes take it back in trade. Recall number: 18V043 1/10/2018 recall status: recall incomplete, remedy not yet available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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
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
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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other GLK350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350?
NHTSA has 100 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, 73% of the model year's 137 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-010 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-043 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2018); NHTSA recall 17V-627 (frontal, Oct 6, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags 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.