GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

Are the GLK350 transmission prone to fail?

Old Feb 3, 2023 | 10:43 PM
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Are the GLK350 transmission prone to fail?

Just posing this question. My 2014 GLK350 is garage queen. Meaning: hardly used on long trips. Just the short trip to the mall, school or market. Anyway my long termer 2015i Escalade platinum, a frequent companion on long drives finally quit at 295,000 miles. Didn't want to use my new defender nor my garage classic Range Rover sport. So, the GLK350 got the call for a long drive from MI to AR. So far, impressively smooth, compliant suspension, did I say fast?, felt like a big SUV despite its size and length. Finally, after that long trip, the tranny has been unusually rough. Out of park, tried to put it in drive or reverse and it would not engage. After turning the engine off and ON, the transmission worked normally. Is that something I need to be concerned of? 60,000k miles now since I bought it new in 2014.
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 12:59 AM
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We had a 2015 GLK350 RWD model for 155,000 miles which was completely flawless. Since it seems normal after cycling the engine on/off it may be a one time glitch. If it repeats, have the car scanned for trouble codes as many of those don’t turn in the CEL.

BTW — at every 60,000 mike interval, its time to do a transmission fluid and filter change.
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Odd Piggy
its time to do a transmission fluid and filter change.
Yeah, that. If it's spent 59,000 miles doing short trips it's definitely time! Make sure whoever does it does it right: new filter, drain the torque converter set the level correctly, and use the right fluid. (There are two possible fluids depending on option codes).
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by sblvro
Just posing this question. My 2014 GLK350 is garage queen. Meaning: hardly used on long trips. Just the short trip to the mall, school or market. Anyway my long termer 2015i Escalade platinum, a frequent companion on long drives finally quit at 295,000 miles. Didn't want to use my new defender nor my garage classic Range Rover sport. So, the GLK350 got the call for a long drive from MI to AR. So far, impressively smooth, compliant suspension, did I say fast?, felt like a big SUV despite its size and length. Finally, after that long trip, the tranny has been unusually rough. Out of park, tried to put it in drive or reverse and it would not engage. After turning the engine off and ON, the transmission worked normally. Is that something I need to be concerned of? 60,000k miles now since I bought it new in 2014.
Disuse is not good for a vehicle.

7G must have fluid changed at MB specified intervals or more often. This is non-negotiable.

Early 7Gs can suffer from failed harness connectors (oil leak) and failed speed speed sensors on the conductor plate. All reparable but either expensive at a shop or time consuming DIY.

Crummy shifting is normal for 7G and 9G, read this site thoroughly.
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 10:38 AM
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GLK350
No issue with my 2014 GLK350 but only have 50K miles.
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 10:43 AM
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It's been serviced only in MB dealership regularly. Even the wiper blades are replaced with oem MB ones. It's not due in for service in 60 days and it's an A3 service? No garage floor leaks btw.
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Old Feb 6, 2023 | 03:42 PM
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just drove back to MI overnight with no issues with the transmission. maybe it was just a one time thing. I almost bought a 2023 gls63 for the trip if it failed. I'm glad the GL"Kompact" kept its cool and carried on.
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Old Feb 8, 2023 | 09:29 PM
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722 is a stout transmission. Transfer case is another matter. Change the fluid.
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Old Feb 9, 2023 | 08:59 PM
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No issues with our 2015 GLK350 4M. Just change the trans fluid. Of course don’t beat on as that helps.
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Old Feb 9, 2023 | 09:54 PM
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2020 C8, 2020 defender 110X, 2019 720S, 2014 GLK 350 4matic, 2015 escalade platinum, 2013 RRS HSELux

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Old Feb 23, 2023 | 08:34 PM
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Update. Dealer Just did the tranny and transaxle fluid change, replace all rotors and pads and the usual A service oil change. Drives like a champ!
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