Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-benz glk350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class airbags problems
moderate 143 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
143
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 143 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 143.
Airbags accounts for 59% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2010 GLK-Class is buried under a massive Takata airbag recall (16V081000 and others) initiated in 2016 with no parts available and no confirmed repair timeline—owners report waiting 3+ years with repeated promises of availability that never materialized. Even if you find one with the recall apparently completed, verify full SRS system function and get independent testing of the airbag circuit; one owner's repair reactivated the warning immediately after leaving the dealership.
Over 140 complaints center on the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA 16V081000 and related campaigns) that began in February 2016. Owners received initial notification letters stating no replacement parts existed and would be available "when tested," with owners told to await a second letter. Years later, replacement parts remain unavailable at the majority of Mercedes dealerships nationwide.
Owners report repeated failed repair attempts across multiple years. Dealers consistently state the parts are backordered with no ETA from Mercedes or Takata. Several owners received revised expected-availability dates multiple times—promised dates slipped from 2017 to 2018 to 2019—with no final resolution. One owner waited nearly three years; another was placed in "priority groups" that continued to shift with no actual repair. The recurring message from dealers is identical: parts not in stock, no confirmed arrival date, and newer model-year vehicles prioritized.
One owner completed a recall repair at South Bay Mercedes, saw the warning light clear on the lot, then watched it reappear the moment they drove away. The dealership refused further diagnosis without a paid diagnostic fee, claiming the new fault was unrelated.
A separate complaint describes dashboard SRS faults (airbag malfunction codes) that persist despite a dealer's inability to diagnose them. An owner also reported trade-in value being slashed $3,700 due to the unresolved recall, even as the dealer sold the replacement at full asking price.
Owners express frustration over being required to drive vehicles with known safety defects while the manufacturer and supplier delay indefinitely.
Same Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Recall - Parts Shortage / Delayed Repair
Owners received recall notifications (primarily NHTSA 16V081000, also 18V043000, 16V363000, 17V017000, 19V010000) starting in February 2016 for defective Takata airbag inflators in the driver's seat and other locations. Mercedes-Benz stated that suitable replacement parts were not tested or available at the time of notification. Multiple owners report attempting repairs years after initial notice, with dealers consistently stating parts remain unavailable. Some owners report recall notice dates being postponed repeatedly, with expected availability dates slipping from 2017 through 2019. One owner waited over 3 years; several others reported 2+ year waits with no confirmed ETA.
When: Recall notifications received 2016–2017; repair attempts ongoing through 2018–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; SRS system warning indicators; Dealer unable to schedule recall repair due to missing parts
Codes mentioned: 16V081000, 18V043000, 16V363000, 17V017000, 19V010000
Repairs/costs cited: SRS module/airbag inflator replacement required; parts not available from supplier. Multiple owners cite part shortages and dealers unable to complete repairs. One owner reported attempting repair but receiving renewed SRS warning light after completion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall initiated by Mercedes-Benz and NHTSA. Mercedes stated in recall letters that 'no suitable replacement part is tested or available' and would notify owners when remedy became available. Multiple owners report Mercedes unable to provide ETA for part availability. One owner received notice of Takata bankruptcy filing. Some recall notices reclassified from NHTSA to Mercedes-Benz internal recall (2019).
Airbag Control Unit SRS Malfunction
Owner reported dashboard alerts for SRS airbag malfunction (airbag 2 inoperative/malfunction code) appearing and reappearing. Service technician was unable to diagnose the root cause; suggested unrelated steering wheel pump and coolant fan repairs. Owner performed steering wheel centering procedure per YouTube video and code temporarily cleared, but SRS code reappeared shortly after. Owner states this appears to be a manufacturer error given service technician could not identify the issue.
When: While driving; code reappeared within two weeks of clearing
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard alert 'SRS airbag 2 malfunction/inoperative'; Steering wheel malfunction alert (initially); ABS/EBS brake inoperative alert (initially)
Codes mentioned: SRS airbag 2 malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Owner self-diagnosed by performing steering wheel left-right centering procedure. Code cleared but recurred within two weeks. Service technician unable to identify root cause; suggested replacement of unrelated components (steering wheel pump, coolant fan).
Recall Repair Incomplete / SRS Warning Recurred After Service
Owner brought vehicle to Mercedes dealership (South Bay Mercedes) for recall-related SRS module replacement as instructed. Service advisor initially requested payment for diagnostic, later stated recall repair would be free. After repair completed and warning light cleared on lot, SRS warning reappeared as soon as owner left the dealership. Upon return, service advisor refused further inspection without payment, claiming issue was unrelated to recall. During drive home, engine began smoking and oil was found throughout engine after oil change performed during service.
When: During recall repair service appointment
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light reappeared immediately after leaving dealer lot; Engine smoking on drive home; Oil leakage throughout engine
Repairs/costs cited: SRS module replacement performed. Oil change also completed during service. Engine smoking and oil leakage observed post-service. No resolution offered by dealer.
Dealer Part Ordering Delays and Miscommunication
Owner brought vehicle to Mercedes dealership (Bloomfield Hills, MI) on April 19 with recall notice. Dealer informed owner they did not have the part and did not know which part was needed until work began. Owner returned to pick up vehicle after dealer acknowledged they lacked necessary parts. Dealer stated they would call in 5 weeks when parts arrived. No call was received. On June 21, owner called dealer and was told the part still was not in and order would be placed again. Dealer claimed Mercedes was not manufacturing parts fast enough and refused to identify which specific parts were needed (stating they had one of two required parts but not both).
When: April 2016 appointment; follow-up June 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received, parts unavailable at time of appointment
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair could not be completed; two parts required, only one on hand.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes manufacturing parts at insufficient rate per dealer
Trade-In Value Reduction Due to Unrepaired Recall
Owner received Takata recall notice, contacted dealer (Open Road Mercedes, Bridgewater, NJ) regarding repair timeframe. Service team indicated no ETA and repair could take up to 2 years. Owner decided to trade vehicle in and made deal with sales team. Dealership manager subsequently reduced trade-in value by $3,700 citing the unrepaired airbag recall, while selling the replacement vehicle at full price without discount to compensate for the defect penalty.
When: During trade-in negotiation
Symptoms owners cite: Unresolved Takata airbag recall
Repairs/costs cited: $3,700 trade-in reduction applied
Synthesized from 143 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the airbags warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
:takata recall" we have called park place Mercedes benz- 1300 texan trail, grapevine, tx (817)310-7300, service department on two separate occasions and spoke to the service department about our recall on the driver and passenger side airbags and they said that we would be last due to the age of our auto. We still have not received a call from them to bring in our automobile. They said my…
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes benz glk350. Upon shifting the vehicle into drive it lunged forward. He applied pressure to the brake pedal but the brakes did not function. The vehicle continued moving forward until it crashed. A police report was filed and the driver suffered minor injuries. The air bags did not deploy during the crash. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and the failure…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-benz glk350. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers:16v081000 and 16v363000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
Takata recall. I called the dealers but they are unable to do the job. I am afraid to suffer a future accident.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-benz glk350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (Mercedes-benz of morgantown, 58 don knotts blvd, morgantown, wv 26501) was contacted…
Takata recall. This recall is far too slow. It is a dangerous safety item, and it is more than a year that this problem has been well know. NHTSA must compel takata and the car manufacturers to increase production or outsourcing of the defective parts. This is shameful on the part of NHTSA, takata and the automobile manufacturers. All air bag inflators should go to the recall, and none to…
Takata recall. I have made many request to mecedes benz usa to replace my driver and passenger air bags that have been recalled. I have not been able to get this done.
Takata recall....we were notified of this vehicle's recall because the driver side airbag in february 2016. To date we have not received notice that a remedy for replacement exists to even schedule the replacement of this faulty airbag. Ten months seems like a long time to wait for this work to be done. Nothing has occurred but we rarely drive this car at this point.
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 143 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Mercedes-Benz/GLK-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.