YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

43/100

#5 most-complained of 8 E550 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 has a complaint index of 43, ranked 5th out of 8 model years, and is rated Good relative to other E550 years. It has 16 complaints, 5 recalls, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

Complaints
16
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
16 city / 26 hwy

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags8 (50%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (25%)
  3. Brakes3 (19%)
  4. Structure & Body3 (19%)
  5. Engine2 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Automatic adaptive brake assist triggers a sudden, abrupt, jerky stop when slowing to a near-crawl unless the gear is put in neutral.
  • A front tire hit a pothole and blew out, leaving the vehicle uncontrollable, with a similar tire failure reported earlier on the same car.
  • Owners report brake shudder that persists even after complete brake jobs, along with rear suspension that sags overnight.
  • Engine misfires appeared from the day of delivery, and body panels required rewelding and reinforcement around the left rear suspension mount.
  • Owners with Takata airbag recall notices report that replacement parts were unavailable, leaving the passenger airbag unrepaired for an extended period.
  • Oil leaking from cam adjusters onto the wiring harness reached the ECU, requiring replacement of camshaft position sensors, the camshaft solenoid, and the ECU.
2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2015Mar 2017Mar 2018Jan 2019Jun 2019Nov 2020Apr 2023
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2015 to Mar 2024; peak Mar 2017 (3).

2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  2. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  3. NHTSA 18V043000Jan 10, 2018Airbags132,167 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

See all 5 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 →

2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other E550 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid10061318
2012Caution7117420
2013Good4316520
2014Caution5716421
2015No verdict142320.5

All Mercedes-Benz E550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 E550 ranks 5th out of 8 model years with a complaint index of 43 and a Good verdict relative to other E550 years. It logged 16 complaints and 5 recalls with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 E550?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 8 of 16 complaints (50%), with a median mileage at failure of 24,000 miles.
Does the 2013 E550 have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 18V043000 covers passenger frontal airbag module replacement, and some owners reported that replacement parts were unavailable when they sought repairs.
How does the 2013 E550 compare to other years?
The 2013 E550 has a lower complaint index (43) than the 2010 (86) and 2011 (100) model years, which are both rated Avoid, making 2013 a comparatively better choice.
What other recalls affect the 2013 E550?
The 2013 E550 has 5 recalls total, covering airbags, structure and body seal clips, steering component grounding, and an eCall software date/time fault.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.