2012 Kia Sorento vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Kia Sorento | 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 876 | 167 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 233 | 60 |
| Investigations | 8 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 21 | 5 |
| Fire reports | 76 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–24 | 18 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 92,000 mi | 44,630 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Sorento | Mercedes-Benz GLK350 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 461 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 79 | 132 |
| Electrical System | 127 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 68 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 60 | 0 |
| Power Train | 55 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 30 | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 33 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 142 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 81 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 54 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 48 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 39 | 0 |
| Oil consumption | 29 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 18 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 15 | 0 |
2012 Kia Sorento
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
Compare all Kia Sorento vs Mercedes-Benz GLK350 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.