GLK350: Common problems?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
anyways, any mild incline surface will put the car at rest.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 116
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From: Toronto
GLK350
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
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GLK350 4 matic
My experience with the transmission has been a little different but may be attributable to the same quirks. Occasionally on slowing down, with no pressure on the gas pedal, say to turn sharply into a driveway , when pressure is applied to the gas pedal again, nothing happens. It is as though the engine has stopped or the transmission is in neutral. Flooring the gas pedal does not work too well as there is a big jerk as the transmission kicks in with high engine revs. I finally figured out that the way to handle this is to tickle the gas pedal rather than flooring it. This encourages the transmission to shift down without delay. It appears the transmission is slow to respond in these cases - scary when there is a car following. Now I have figured out a way around it there is no problem, but I will have it checked out at service time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I'll have to experiment more, but whenever I floor it it takes off and downshifts rather smoothly. I think we also should state what mode ppl drive in. I started in S from the beginning then switched in C for break-in reasons, which I think is BS, because C puts more strain on engine and tranny by keeping rpms so low.
The only time I had a jerk is when I put transmission in N as I was rolling down the hill at 5-10 mph and didn't want engine breaking, then I put it in D and before it engaged I pushed gas pedal a bit. That produces a jerk, but I'd blame it on myself not the transmission.
The only time I had a jerk is when I put transmission in N as I was rolling down the hill at 5-10 mph and didn't want engine breaking, then I put it in D and before it engaged I pushed gas pedal a bit. That produces a jerk, but I'd blame it on myself not the transmission.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Mississauga, ON
GLK 350
The more and more I read about it, it reminds me of the Acura, with its 2 tranny failures in 10K. Hopefully this will get resolved quick, one of my reasons I sold that car was about 15km on it in one and a half year and 2 tranny failures I just didn't want the headache and worry when is it gonna go next.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
The more and more I read about it, it reminds me of the Acura, with its 2 tranny failures in 10K. Hopefully this will get resolved quick, one of my reasons I sold that car was about 15km on it in one and a half year and 2 tranny failures I just didn't want the headache and worry when is it gonna go next.
Also MB's are known for their mechanical reliability, all 3rd world countries are full of 10-15 year old MB's. So I have no worries about engine tranny or suspension.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
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From: Wichita, Kansas USA
97 E320
Trans shifting hard
I would certainly mention it at your next service visit. This problem could possibly be resolved with updating the transmission control unit software. This is a problem more common to E-Class vehicles, which were resolved with software updates.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 750
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From: Mississauga, ON
GLK 350
Thanks guys for the clarification on this... if I see this issue come up, i'll be at the service center pretty quick.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 37
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From: Toronto, ON
2010 GLK, Steel Grey, Premium Package
Tail gate
We finished grocery shopping this afternoon and I was about to open the tail gate for loading. I tried pressing the key button for at least 4 times and every time the gate opened slightly and quickly closed! This happened once or twice before but never before had it happened so many times at once. I dont' know if this is something I did wrong. If not, then surely I am not too happy about this feature, espeically I have to pay extra for it as part of the premium package.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 750
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From: Mississauga, ON
GLK 350
We finished grocery shopping this afternoon and I was about to open the tail gate for loading. I tried pressing the key button for at least 4 times and every time the gate opened slightly and quickly closed! This happened once or twice before but never before had it happened so many times at once. I dont' know if this is something I did wrong. If not, then surely I am not too happy about this feature, espeically I have to pay extra for it as part of the premium package.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
We finished grocery shopping this afternoon and I was about to open the tail gate for loading. I tried pressing the key button for at least 4 times and every time the gate opened slightly and quickly closed! This happened once or twice before but never before had it happened so many times at once. I dont' know if this is something I did wrong. If not, then surely I am not too happy about this feature, espeically I have to pay extra for it as part of the premium package.
You can always just manually pull it up.
Keep us posted on this issue.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 595
Likes: 36
From: Savannah, GA
2021 G63
it probably just needs a reprogram. i had that issue but worse, i had to have the motor replaced. apparently it is a new set for MB, electric operated with hydralic assist. or vise versa. i posted a thread about it back in march. it's been perfect since.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
glk350
SAME TAILGATE PROBLEM
I too have the exact same problem with my GLK350 tailgate. It won't open properly and never has. For months it only opened partially and I thought it was me. The dealer has had the car now for 5 days and can't fix it. They now say they are contacting Germany and parts may be on back order for weeks. Now I see there are others around the USA and Canada with the same malfunction and part problem.
A big hassel!
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 13
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From: Shanghai, China
GLK 350 4Matic
The Squeak
Get inside the front seat and its the handle you pull to close the door. Squeeze the bar with your fingers on the plastic backside, you will hear squeaks (This doesn't happen if the car is left outside under hot sunny day, expansion of plastic..etc). Door rattles while going over bumps slowly: Turn off all AC and music. ride over bumps SLOWLY and listen to creaking sounds... its like timber grinding.
If your primiary consideration when purchasing a vehicle is reliability, then you shouldn't be looking at Germans. This is backed by JD powers. In fact, if you believe in JD Powers surveys, then Buick and Jaguars are you top choices, followed in 3rd place is Lexus.
I know exactly what I'm getting myself into when I purchased GLK; I was willing to deal with minor quirks, just like my BMW, for the great balance of engineering/drive/comfort.
If your primiary consideration when purchasing a vehicle is reliability, then you shouldn't be looking at Germans. This is backed by JD powers. In fact, if you believe in JD Powers surveys, then Buick and Jaguars are you top choices, followed in 3rd place is Lexus.
I know exactly what I'm getting myself into when I purchased GLK; I was willing to deal with minor quirks, just like my BMW, for the great balance of engineering/drive/comfort.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
2012 C250 coupe
We finished grocery shopping this afternoon and I was about to open the tail gate for loading. I tried pressing the key button for at least 4 times and every time the gate opened slightly and quickly closed! This happened once or twice before but never before had it happened so many times at once.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
My GLK350, delivered in March 2009, has the exact same squeaking issues - on the front door handles (feel and sound like cheap aluminum on plastic when pulling the doors closed) and a creaking chassis which is most obviously heard as the body flexes every time I exit my apartment via our curved underground parking ramp. My steering wheel also squeaks when turning - so all in all, quite annoying. Note: my GLK did not seem to have any chassis creaking until it received its first 6,000km maintenance check at the dealership - possible that this a coincidence? And has anyone had success in having these creaks and squeaks resolved?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC
2010 GLK350
older benzes (around really late 90s and early 2000s) were known for horrendous electronic issues. well, in general, they had a bad reliability reputation. but i believe this has been solved now. even our 2007 w203 c280 (the w203 was prone to problems when it first came out) seems to have escaped any electronics issues--except the supposed mp3 cd changer is barely capable of playing any mp3s. it'll play 'em once every hundred attempts or something.
and the best testament of all: close to 10,000 km on my glk and no issues yet! though i do notice that in the cold, there are minor rattles. come to think of it, for a first model year, i am very impressed so far.
and the best testament of all: close to 10,000 km on my glk and no issues yet! though i do notice that in the cold, there are minor rattles. come to think of it, for a first model year, i am very impressed so far.
Last edited by Ryan A.; Aug 8, 2009 at 01:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
^yeah old MB's were pretty bad with electronics, on top gear they drove older CL65 AMG and the light was out
knock on wood but GLK has been just like previous toyotas, let's keep it that way.
knock on wood but GLK has been just like previous toyotas, let's keep it that way.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 152
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From: Vancouver, BC
Jeep Cherokee Laredo, 2010 MB GLK 350
Seems like the tailgate is the main problem to look out for.
Hope the Sept 09 production run will have resolved this. I'll remember to test this when I pick it up in Oct 09.
Hope the Sept 09 production run will have resolved this. I'll remember to test this when I pick it up in Oct 09.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GLK 350 2010
Shade now stops short new Glk 350
I have a GLK 350 with 500 miles on it, and today I believe the sun shade is now stopping short of the reciever slots by about 1/2 an inch so you can now see a black gap front and back. Is this the norm. Can other owners tell me if their cars are the same or does the shade go competely in. Thanks
