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Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class VIN Check

NHTSA holds 891 owner complaints on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class from 191 production runs; the worst run has 23, the typical one 4.7.

NHTSA complaint records · 891 complaints · 191 runs · 2008–2015 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported GLK-Class run is WDCGG8HB1AF (2010 builds) with 23 complaints, 4.9× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 70% of reports; 2010 is the worst model year at 6.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for GLK-Class model years 2010–2015.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class has 191 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every GLK-Class complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WDCGG8HB1AF••••••20102321
WDCGG8HBXAF••••••201020—1
WDCGG8HB9AF••••••201017——
WDCGG8HB5CF••••••201214——
WDCGG8HB0AF••••••201014——
WDCGG8HB3AF••••••201013——
WDCGG8HB8BF••••••201113——
WDCGG8HB8AF••••••201013——
WDCGG8HB2AF••••••201013——
WDCGG8HB4AF••••••201013——
WDCGG8HB5AF••••••2010123—
WDCGG8HB7AF••••••201012——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 179 GLK-Class runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 28 GLK-Class VINs so far, most often 2014, 2015, 2013 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 2010 car draws 6.3 complaints per run, a 2013 one 2.9.

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20154.3125294
20143.3117354
20132.9135465
20126163273
20115130264
20106.32203511
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2010 at 6.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 2.9.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 70% of everything Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class owners report: Air Bags, 619 of 891 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags61912—
Fuel/propulsion System7322
Unknown Or Other382—
Service Brakes3773
Electrical System3542
Steering3133
Structure245—
Power Train23——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 15 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2010 to 2015. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
19V010000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2015
17V627000Air Bags:frontal2013–2015
19V787000Communication2013–2015
17V252000Steering2013–2015
16V081000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2010–2012
14V762000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel2014–2015
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

19V010000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2010: 9 years on the road before the recall.

The GLK-Class against its rivals

The GLK-Class draws 4.7 complaints per production run; the Nissan Xterra 7.9. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class8911914.73.5%
Nissan Xterra2,5443237.94.1%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 891 reports on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, 3.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — complaint severity
OutcomeMercedes-Benz GLK-ClassAll vehicles
Complaints filed8911,115,966
Involved a crash31 (3.5%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire8 (0.9%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported2258,013
Deaths reported22,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 40% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class share of that is 891 complaints over 191 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Recalls32 campaignsReliability4.0/5Common problems951 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices960 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2010–2020

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 891 NHTSA complaints from 191 GLK-Class runs and 15 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which GLK-Class production run has the most complaints?

WDCGG8HB1AF, a 2010 build, with 23 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical GLK-Class run has 4.7.

Which GLK-Class years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2010 is heaviest at 6.3 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 2.9.

Does the GLK-Class get more complaints than the Nissan Xterra?

No: 4.7 complaints per production run for the GLK-Class against 7.9 for the Nissan Xterra.

How many GLK-Class complaints involve a crash?

3.5% of 891 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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