Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class problems
133 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Takata air bag manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy.
Takata recall stating the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. Mbz keeps postponingb the repairs for 3 years
Takata recall: NHTSA recall # 16v-081 the manufacturer, Mercedes-benz, is unable to remedy the safety recall for my car. It has been over a year since I received the first recall notice for the driver-side airbags and nothing has been done. I contacted Mercedes-benz several…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 90 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 133 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.