2015 Mercedes Benz Glk Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Mercedes Benz Glk Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel odor from cracked fuel tank pump assembly.” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Mercedes Benz Glk Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel odor from cracked fuel tank pump assembly

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2024-11

My truck has been smelling like gas for a while. I replaced the gas cap and still smelled gas when I was driving. Recently I started smelling it inside the car. It was leaking from two places under the car when I would drive it or just have it running
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11627422
Upon removal of the rear seat and a check under the two fuel tank covers, I found gasoline pooled on a concave area on top of the Fuel Suction Pump Assembly, MB, part 2184700994 (see attached photos). This plastic part has cracks in it that allow fuel to escape
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11607406
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated after refueling; while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11525695

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Sudden power loss with dashboard inoperative warning

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2018-03

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR MY MERCEDES GLK SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A .MESSAGE THAT SAID 'INOPERATIVE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' APPEARED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11079872
WHILE EXITING THE HWY THE CAR SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN FROM ABOUT 60 TO AROUND 45 WITHOUT BREAKING. INOPERATIVE SEE OWNER'S MANUAL APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10716591
FOR LAST 2 MONTHS AND CONTINUING ON, THE 'ESP INOPERATIVE' MESSAGE POPS UP FREQUENTLY, EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WARM, DRY AND CLEAR. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE ACCELERATION (POWER) AND SLOWS DOWN (RATHER VERY QUICKLY ON ROADWAY SLOPING UP)
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861093

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Takata airbag recall replacement parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

87 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2021-11

TAKATA RECALL. THE DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO EXPLODE WHEN DEPLOYED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIPS TELL ME THE ISSUE IS "PENDING" AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11202907
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 2020100005 (replace Takata passenger-side module Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11441695
TAKATA RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME, MERCEDES SAYS NO FIX IS AVAILABLE PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH. THEY WILL NOT SAY WHETHER MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM OR, IF IT DOES, HOW LONG I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH FEAR OF PASSENGER DEATH
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190452

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Unintended shift to Park while driving at low speed

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2026-04

Hello. Since I bought this car in 2015. Every now and again it will go into park when driving and tge car will stop suddenly. It has done it a few times over the years and it’s quite scary
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731078
My car goes abruptly into park while driving or reversing at 5 mph or less. This is a big safety concern if it ever suddenly stalls in a highway, I may get into a life threatening accident. There are no warning or sensor lights that light up when this happens
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433907
THE KEY IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED AND/OR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY GO INTO PARK AT SPEEDS BELOW 6 KM/H
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11350484

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Power steering failure and steering wheel lockup

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2025-12

The steering adjustment moves in and out but will not move up or down. You can hear a clicking noise like it’s trying to move but nothing happens to the steering column
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11703480
When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423654
The car’s driver’s side front wheel was replaced. Afterwards,The power steering failed
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450622

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Unintended acceleration with steering malfunction

STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2020-11

ON JUNE 16,2017, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I TRIED TO SLOWED DOWN BUT IT TURNED OUT TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AT AROUND 85MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS MESSED UP AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR , THE MORE I TRY TO BRAKE THE FASTER THE CAR CRASHED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11002718
MY MB GLK 35 CRASHED AT A HIGH SPEED AROUND 80 MPH,IT BURNT TO GROUND . I WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNT ALIVE WITHOUT PEOPLE USING A BIG ROCK TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND PULLING ME OUT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11002664
DRIVING 25 MPH AROUND A CURVE WHEN MY CAR LOST CONTROL, DESPITE MY BEST ATTEMPTS MY CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE CONTROL OR TO BREAK. MY CAR WENT FROM 25 MPH TO 60 MPH THROUGH A TWO LANE TRAFFIC STREET, FORCING ME TO SWERVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC MERELY MISSING SIX CARS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11376095

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

15 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Mercedes Benz Glk Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.