The Official GLK Problems with Aging Thread
My 2010 GLK350 has 42k Miles on it and I've started noticing a "snapping" noise from the rear cargo area over bumps. It's almost like the cargo cover is moving and the plastic makes a noise when the body flexes, but I have removed the cargo cover completely and the noise is still around. I have tried pressing on all the interior panels in the cargo area to see if some of the fittings are lose but it hasn't really solved the problem. This only happens over bumps, on a smooth road there is absolutely no noise.
Anyone else experiencing this noise over bumps from the cargo area interior trim?
However, this is the one I think may help you! This could also cause the noise you hear!
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MERCEDES BENZ GLK: REAR WHEEL WELL
MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 Safety Report #SB-2011030001
MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 technical service bulletin was issued Mar 01, 2011.MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 / Failed Wheel Well Weld . MERCEDES-BENZ: THE SEAM SEAL IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ARCH IS NOT UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. INSPECT AND REPAIR AS NEEDED. 2011 204.9. *RM .
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Last edited by MBRedux; Jun 24, 2012 at 03:25 PM.
1. Lot of interior noise/squeaks. I pinpointed it to be coming from the driver and passage side windows. Dealer said it was a common problem but mine was louder then usual. Said it was plastic on plastic noise. They added felt (warranty), which quieted the noise some, but it's still louder then the loaner they let me drive, which had practically no noise. Disappointed in this...expected a quieter ride from MB.
2. Cup holder inserts bad. Replaced entire cup holder section (warranty)
3. Front cigarette lighter not working. I thought it was a fuse, but they had to replace the entire cigarette lighter (warranty).
4. Bad odor coming from A/C at start up. Said there was mold in A/C. Originally they said this was not covered by warranty and would cost $179. I argued and the local dealer covered it under warranty.
I love the car, but am not happy with the cabin noise. I plan to have them look at it again during my next scheduled maintenance.
1. Lot of interior noise/squeaks. I pinpointed it to be coming from the driver and passage side windows. Dealer said it was a common problem but mine was louder then usual. Said it was plastic on plastic noise. They added felt (warranty), which quieted the noise some, but it's still louder then the loaner they let me drive, which had practically no noise. Disappointed in this...expected a quieter ride from MB.
2. Cup holder inserts bad. Replaced entire cup holder section (warranty)
3. Front cigarette lighter not working. I thought it was a fuse, but they had to replace the entire cigarette lighter (warranty).
4. Bad odor coming from A/C at start up. Said there was mold in A/C. Originally they said this was not covered by warranty and would cost $179. I argued and the local dealer covered it under warranty.
I love the car, but am not happy with the cabin noise. I plan to have them look at it again during my next scheduled maintenance.

, they agreed to warranty it.
Car has only 7k miles and is at the dealer now for diagnosis. I sat with the dealer tech and he confirmed the noise, and is checking into it.
Our tranny also occasionally bangs hard on a 3-2 downshift when coasting to a stop up-hill. This is probably a programming issue requiring a re-flash.
I will NOT be happy if it needs a new tranny. Our last 2005.5 Audi A4 also needed a new tranny right away due to poor downshifting (also banging from 3-2 downshift), which was never resolved even after a new tranny and multiple computer flashes.
Ours also has the crappy creaking front door grab handles. Which I am not having the dealer resolve because I don't want them taking apart the doors and messing things up further.
I enjoy the car otherwise, but I was expecting more from MB.
2010 GLK350 4-Matic Loaded
Needed new rear right side marker
Rear LCA bushing
New transmission on order. Tranny developed the whine sound of death. (Transfer-Case Failure) Very upset.
Besides this, MB would better serve it buyers if they improve the handling characteristics of this car IMO
Some Concerns I wish they would address:
1) Steering Feedback is too numb!
2) Turn in needs improvement
3) Larger wheels and offset models requires new steering geometrics to improve self-centering characteristics.
4) Overall suspension is way too soft. Front end plows even with the slightest throttling!
Maybe have variable suspension as a option.
5) Make interior more contemporary, less wood!
6) Raise the freaking Climate Controls for better access, or place them on a new touch screen master controller.
7) Enlarge the outside RV mirrors slightly.
8) Larger brakes/calipers needed.
9) Place pad sensors on all inner pads rather than one side only.
10) Improve rear design to better accept a hitch. HomeRun and pre-wire all the necessary electrical to a rear receptacle for instant hitch hook-up!
Last edited by ewc; Jul 2, 2012 at 10:32 AM.
Car has only 7k miles and is at the dealer now for diagnosis. I sat with the dealer tech and he confirmed the noise, and is checking into it. (PLEASE KEEP ME UPDATED ON THIS IF YOU DON'T MIND. PM ME...thanks.)
Our tranny also occasionally bangs hard on a 3-2 downshift when coasting to a stop up-hill. This is probably a programming issue requiring a re-flash.
I will NOT be happy if it needs a new tranny. Our last 2005.5 Audi A4 also needed a new tranny right away due to poor downshifting (also banging from 3-2 downshift), which was never resolved even after a new tranny and multiple computer flashes. (CVT, DCT or DSG?)
Ours also has the crappy creaking front door grab handles. Which I am not having the dealer resolve because I don't want them taking apart the doors and messing things up further. (WE DIDN'T EITHER. IT WENT AWAY AFTER IT WORE-IN.)
I enjoy the car otherwise, but I was expecting more from MB.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
How common is this issue? I'm guessing that a lot of MB owners wouldn't even notice this.
This is why I only drive manuals (GLK is the wife's).
Last edited by ewc; Jul 2, 2012 at 03:26 PM.
However, this is the one I think may help you! This could also cause the noise you hear!
__________________________________________________ ____
MERCEDES BENZ GLK: REAR WHEEL WELL
MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 Safety Report #SB-2011030001
MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 technical service bulletin was issued Mar 01, 2011.MERCEDES BENZ GLK 2010 / Failed Wheel Well Weld . MERCEDES-BENZ: THE SEAM SEAL IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ARCH IS NOT UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. INSPECT AND REPAIR AS NEEDED. 2011 204.9. *RM .
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1) Hyper extending mirrors (plural) I'm taking my car is for the 5th or 6th time now (tomorrow) provided they can fly the part in from Toronto. These have been both replaced once or twice over and if I wash my car or take it through a car was (which I do sparringly) something happens where teh mirrors stop working. They'll either Fold in and stay folded in or Hyper extend pointing to the front of the car-both driver and passenger side
2) Leaking A pillars. This has finally been resolved. Turns out in assembly of my vehicle with the panormaic roof a rubber seal was missed so any water running of the roof would overwhelm the the guides that would wisk water away and down the vehicle and water ended up coming into the vehicle through both A pillsars.
I'm in my early 30s and don't have time to be running the car down to the dealership every other day. I quite honestly never had any issues with my Q5 that I sold and purchased this one. I love, love, love the looks but I honestly can't deal with this constant back and forth. It's got 47000 kms on is and as I inch closer to the 80km max warranty I refuse to keep it.
I'll likely trade it in for a Porsche Cayenne or go back to the Q5. I'm quite honestly happy that no others are experiencing the problems I have but I can't support a car manufacturuer that has this poor quality.
I feel that although the dealership is doing their best, it's not taken terribly seriously. Water leaking into your car? We'll fix it....yes, but there is WATER leaking into my car? Your mirrors aren't folding out or hyper extending and it's happened many times after replacing parts? We'll just have to replace it again. Yes but how can I drive the vehicle while I wait to come in??
It's just silly, like I mentioned, I'm far too busy for this. I'm not unreasonable a few trips here and there are fine but I've just literally decided that I"ll put up with it for as long as I have and then get rid of it. Audi's earned my business...Mercedes has not. I've got many, many decades of purhcases left. It's too bad.
I hope this is not a widespread problem. Keeping my fingers crossed.
They are sending yet another new tranny. That's #3! If this one is also faulty, MB will be buying our's back.
Don't get me wrong having owned a 87 300E for 20 years (great cheap to own bank vault rock solid daily driver) and a so so 190E for 15 years. Now have a 04 C230K last 8 years that's really noisy in cold start, not too happy with it but dear God it drives great. It's love and hate, MB has that dignified quality hustling down the road at 60 or 120mph it feels the same solid quiet luxury but man, it's a pain when something amiss. Btw, my brother and I did in one morning 3 rear brake pad replacements on an 96 Trooper, a 02 Element and the C class was voted easiest cleanest best engineered out of the 3, done using only a flat head screwdriver!!!
My 11 GLK so far so good at 11km except for that tiny creaky sound near the door frame ugrrrr! I swear it is not my rattling golf club bag!
my tranny also had the whine noise.. that prompted me to take it to the dealer. tranny was replaced at about 40k kms.
glk is a 4matic.
Consider yourself a very lucky man.
Last edited by MBRedux; Jul 25, 2012 at 08:36 AM.
however the upside is that I wont need to do the MB required 60k kms tranny flush
by the time I log another 60k kms on it, it'll be time to trade it in!


