Lots of problems on 2014 GLk. Where do I go from here?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
None
Lots of problems on 2014 GLk. Where do I go from here?
I bought my 2014 GLK350 last month and since the day of pickup there have been a couple problems. I have brought the car back to the dealer and they say they "fixed it" but the problems still occur and they could not recreate the problems on a different GLK they had.
The problems include:
- High Pitched Noise when turning
- Popping sound in the rear of the vehicle when driving
- Jerking transmission (it was originally from 3rd to 4th in both Eco and Sport, but after they looked at it and I was returned the vehicle now it jerks between 4th and 5th)
- The car wobbles at 46 - 50 mph on regular street roads
- Loud engine rattle during idle
- Every time I switch between park/neutral/drive/reverse, the car makes a clank sound that can be felt in the back of the vehicle and the car moves a little.
What should I do from here? I keep having to bring the vehicle back and they keep saying it is fine. Is there a safety problem now?
The problems include:
- High Pitched Noise when turning
- Popping sound in the rear of the vehicle when driving
- Jerking transmission (it was originally from 3rd to 4th in both Eco and Sport, but after they looked at it and I was returned the vehicle now it jerks between 4th and 5th)
- The car wobbles at 46 - 50 mph on regular street roads
- Loud engine rattle during idle
- Every time I switch between park/neutral/drive/reverse, the car makes a clank sound that can be felt in the back of the vehicle and the car moves a little.
What should I do from here? I keep having to bring the vehicle back and they keep saying it is fine. Is there a safety problem now?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
None
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/x204...g-problem.html
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 689
Likes: 30
Before getting a lawyer involved, I would contact MBUSA customer service. They are there to help you and I am sure will make an effort to satisfy you. I am not in USA, but those that are can probably advise the best procedure for contacting MBUSA.
The dealer may be more responsive once MBUSA gets involved. There is also no reason you could not take your car to a different Florida dealer and see if they can resolve the problems.
The dealer may be more responsive once MBUSA gets involved. There is also no reason you could not take your car to a different Florida dealer and see if they can resolve the problems.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 265
Likes: 4
From: New York
2015 GLA250 4MATIC
There is a member on this forum who had problem with the engine and transmission similar to what you describe on a 2013 GLK350. He had his engine rebuilt but then asked MB for a buyback since it still has problems. Do a search and maybe contact him on how he resolved his issues.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
The other "case" you metioned was a "member" who bought a GLK350 from a private party - which had not/ever/even-once serviced in 48K miles - that then had carbon buildup requiring engine rebuild ..
On the issues mentioned above - I agree a call to Mercedes Customer Service would start a different ball rolling - OR a pre-call to the dealer service manager telling him/her you are about to call MB - many service managers will take charge of the situation if they know they can prevent a black-mark call to MB Corp.
Frankly, from the items descirbed here - there has not really been any "down time" or "shop time" involved - and by and large lemon cases involve mechanical and/or safety issues that have resulted in non-operation/service time.
Keep the beat !
On the issues mentioned above - I agree a call to Mercedes Customer Service would start a different ball rolling - OR a pre-call to the dealer service manager telling him/her you are about to call MB - many service managers will take charge of the situation if they know they can prevent a black-mark call to MB Corp.
Frankly, from the items descirbed here - there has not really been any "down time" or "shop time" involved - and by and large lemon cases involve mechanical and/or safety issues that have resulted in non-operation/service time.
Keep the beat !
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2014 GLK250 BlueTEC, 2012 BMW 335is Conv.
1-800-367-6372
Or if you have mbrace, press the i button. One (or more) of the voice options will connect you to customer assistance. I think it's "Vehicle Info" or something like that.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
Likes: 10
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
You don't say where you are but the Lemon Laws in California are pretty clear. If a dealership has worked on a problem over 3 times or the car has been in the shop over a cumulative 30 days the law can click in (from the top of my head). Get the dealer involved in every problem and don't take "it's normal for an answer. Keep all documents and escalate as recommended by the OPs. If it clicks in you go to arbitration with a buy back stipulated if agreement isn't reached.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
After looking again at your list, I wonder if you might not have a rear shock that is lose or a bad rear suspension bushing. A noise from the rear, that clanks when put into gear and allows the truck to wobble sounds like a suspension bushing or a shock which might be lose or broken. This would also cause the wheels to squeal when turning at low speed due to alignment shifting. What part of the vehicle the sound comes from is sometimes hard to determine in these sound proof cars so, that engine rattle may be a suspension rattle. All of your characteristics lead to a defect in the assembly or a failure of a suspension part. Maybe as small as a thread crossed mounting bolt which doesn't come out but does not hold the parts in tight alignment is at fault. It happens Without supporting the truck on a frame mount and unloading the suspension parts you can't diagnose this by just a simple push on parts with the truck on the ground.
Range Rovers are notorious for this type of clunking in their suspension bushings.
Good luck
Range Rovers are notorious for this type of clunking in their suspension bushings.
Good luck
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
2005 SL65
FL AG's Lemon Law webpage
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/...256cc900599fb4
Can you post an update?
At my suggestion, my GF is considering a 2014 or perhaps a CPO MY 12-13.
Thanks,
David
Can you post an update?
At my suggestion, my GF is considering a 2014 or perhaps a CPO MY 12-13.
Thanks,
David
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 12
From: USA
2013 GLK350
I can provide some info on the "engine rattle". When I bought my 2013 brand new it had the same rattle. I took it in and described it as sounding like a diesel. I had to have both "time chain tensioners" replaced on my brand new $45k GLK 350. That started the slew of problems that I have had.
So if you have this engine rattle and you would describe it as sounding like a diesel engine (and you don't have the diesel engine) you might want to have it looked at. That being said, that was a long time ago, as was this post, so I would hope that they have worked that out by now.
So if you have this engine rattle and you would describe it as sounding like a diesel engine (and you don't have the diesel engine) you might want to have it looked at. That being said, that was a long time ago, as was this post, so I would hope that they have worked that out by now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
I can provide some info on the "engine rattle". When I bought my 2013 brand new it had the same rattle. I took it in and described it as sounding like a diesel. I had to have both "time chain tensioners" replaced on my brand new $45k GLK 350. That started the slew of problems that I have had.
So if you have this engine rattle and you would describe it as sounding like a diesel engine (and you don't have the diesel engine) you might want to have it looked at. That being said, that was a long time ago, as was this post, so I would hope that they have worked that out by now.
So if you have this engine rattle and you would describe it as sounding like a diesel engine (and you don't have the diesel engine) you might want to have it looked at. That being said, that was a long time ago, as was this post, so I would hope that they have worked that out by now.
Having said that, the OP's symptoms are completely different. I'd be looking at a suspension component as the possible culprit like someone else already mentioned.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 12
From: USA
2013 GLK350
DI engines are noisier than non-DI engines no doubt. But I would have a hard time describing DI engine noise as diesel-sounding. Mine sounded like a diesel, period. AND it stopped after about 30-60 seconds of idling. That is not high pressure injectors, that is a problem.
So, if yours is uncharacteristically loud and you think there is a problem I recommend you consider that it is not normal. I would not have expected a brand new MB vehicle to need internal-ish components replaced. Luckily I did not settle for a "that's normal, it's just the new DI engine" explanation.
So, if yours is uncharacteristically loud and you think there is a problem I recommend you consider that it is not normal. I would not have expected a brand new MB vehicle to need internal-ish components replaced. Luckily I did not settle for a "that's normal, it's just the new DI engine" explanation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
I am not saying that yours actually didn't have a problem - it is unfortunate that it did, and yes, if it goes away after enough oil pressure builds up it is very likely a hydraulic tensioner or valve lifter issue. It's just that an isolated case here and there like like yours doesn't call for "OMG - IT'S A DREADED KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEM" because it might only happen once or twice in every 10,000 cars. Furthermore, even a half-drunk, incompetent service tech at a dealership can easily tell the difference between the normal fuel injector racket and a mechanical clackign noise caused by a defect like the one you had, so if they are telling him that it's "normal", chances are that it is. At the end of the day, it's a new car, covered under warranty. If there's somethign more sinister going on (like a faulty hydraulic chain tensioner) that for some reason they haven't been able to pin down yet, it will progressively get worse in a fairly short period of time until it completely fails at which time it will be adressed at no cost to the owner.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2014 Glk 350 2wd
I bought my 2014 GLK350 last month and since the day of pickup there have been a couple problems. I have brought the car back to the dealer and they say they "fixed it" but the problems still occur and they could not recreate the problems on a different GLK they had.
The problems include:
- High Pitched Noise when turning
- Popping sound in the rear of the vehicle when driving
- Jerking transmission (it was originally from 3rd to 4th in both Eco and Sport, but after they looked at it and I was returned the vehicle now it jerks between 4th and 5th)
- The car wobbles at 46 - 50 mph on regular street roads
- Loud engine rattle during idle
- Every time I switch between park/neutral/drive/reverse, the car makes a clank sound that can be felt in the back of the vehicle and the car moves a little.
What should I do from here? I keep having to bring the vehicle back and they keep saying it is fine. Is there a safety problem now?
The problems include:
- High Pitched Noise when turning
- Popping sound in the rear of the vehicle when driving
- Jerking transmission (it was originally from 3rd to 4th in both Eco and Sport, but after they looked at it and I was returned the vehicle now it jerks between 4th and 5th)
- The car wobbles at 46 - 50 mph on regular street roads
- Loud engine rattle during idle
- Every time I switch between park/neutral/drive/reverse, the car makes a clank sound that can be felt in the back of the vehicle and the car moves a little.
What should I do from here? I keep having to bring the vehicle back and they keep saying it is fine. Is there a safety problem now?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 217
From: LaLaLand
2015 GLK350 & 2020 C300
You probably have drive shaft issues regarding the transmission clunk. Loud engine rattle is a known issue and can be remedied with the installation of a check valve device or filling closer to max.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 595
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
None of these issues are normal. I have a 2015 GLK350 with 30,000 miles. It sounds like the dealer is not aware of these issues or they just will not fix them. I would find a MB shop or another dealer.
