2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
57/100
#4 most-complained of 8 GL550 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has a Complaint Index of 57, ranking 4th worst of 8 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 6 complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 injuries, with Electrical System issues making up 67% of reported problems.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System4 (67%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (50%)
- Engine2 (33%)
- Steering2 (33%)
- Brakes1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
What owners report
- Electrical system suddenly disables cruise control, turn signals, and driver-assist features at highway speed, requiring a restart to clear.
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts itself into park while being driven in drive, causing an abrupt jerking stop.
- Engine sputters, hesitates, and stalls at various speeds, with dealers diagnosing a faulty cylinder head.
- Camshaft position sensors fill with oil due to failed internal packing, triggering rough idle and stored fault codes.
- Fuel gauge reads inaccurately, causing the vehicle to stall on the highway after running out of fuel despite showing fuel remaining.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 18V272000Apr 27, 2018Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,725 vehicles
Suspension:front
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
- NHTSA 13V166000Apr 29, 2013Seat Belts256 vehicles
Seat belts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured May 15, 2012 through October 4, 2012. The second row seat belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued.
Risk: If the bolts are not properly torqued, the seat belt anchor bolts may continue to loosen and in the the event of a crash, the belted occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners and dealers will check, and tighten the bolts of the seat belt anchor fittings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall campaign began on May 24, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,300
- 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 GL550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 GL550 a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 8 model years with data. It has fewer reported problems than the 2011 and 2012 model years but more than the 2014 and 2015 models.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 GL550?
- Electrical System complaints account for 67% of reported issues, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 50% and Engine and Steering each at 33%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 GL550: a seat belt anchor bolt recall, a suspension/wheel oil reservoir recall covering multiple ML and GL models, and an eCall software date/time recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year GL550 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2011 and 2012 GL550 model years carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index scores of 86 and 100, higher than the 2013 model's score of 57.
- At what mileage do 2013 GL550 problems typically show up?
- Electrical System complaints show a median mileage of 90,000, Transmission & Powertrain issues median 90,750 miles, and Engine complaints median 70,750 miles, according to NHTSA data.