YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 5th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other GL550 years. NHTSA lists 6 complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 injuries for this year, with electrical system issues topping owner reports.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
43/100
#5 of 8 GL550 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
6
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2015
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 18 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (67%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain3 (50%)
  3. Engine2 (33%)
  4. Steering2 (33%)
  5. Brakes1 (17%)
  6. Fuel System1 (17%)
  7. Other1 (17%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Electrical faults cause the speedometer to flash multiple warning messages while cruise control and turn signals stop working at highway speed.
  • Camshaft position sensors fail after being flooded with oil from worn internal seals, triggering rough idling and a check engine light.
  • The transmission unexpectedly shifts itself into park while the vehicle is moving in drive, jerking the car to a stop.
  • The engine sputters, hesitates, and stalls at various speeds, in one case traced to a faulty cylinder head.
  • The fuel gauge reads inaccurately, showing fuel remaining when the tank is actually empty, causing the car to stall on the highway.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 complaints: complaints filed per month1May 2013Feb 2018Sep 2018Apr 2020Oct 2020Jul 2024
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2013 to Jul 2024; peak May 2013 (1).

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 recalls

3 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 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.

  3. 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

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
2011Avoid86153 !14
2012Avoid10083 !14
2013Good436315
2014Caution5710315
2015Good298315

All Mercedes-Benz GL550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reliable?
Among GL550 model years, 2013 has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 5th worst of 8 years tracked, with a Good verdict relative to other years. NHTSA logged 6 complaints and 2 injuries for this year.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 GL550?
Electrical system issues are the top problem area, making up 67% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 50%. Median mileage at failure across complaints is 62,686 miles.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 GL550, covering seat belt anchor bolts, an oil reservoir sealing cap, and an eCall software date/time fault. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 GL550 compare to other years?
The 2013 GL550's Complaint Index of 43 is lower than 2011 (86) and 2012 (100), both rated Avoid, but higher than 2015's Good rating of 29 and 2016's 14.
Did the 2013 GL550 have transmission shifting into park unexpectedly?
Yes, one owner reported the transmission abruptly and repeatedly shifted itself into park while driving in traffic at around 90,000 miles.

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.