YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#6 most-complained of 6 ML350 years

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

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 ranks best among 6 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and 56 complaints, well below years like 2011 (index 100) and 2010 (index 80). Engine issues lead at 30% of complaints, but no do-not-drive recalls exist.

Complaints
56
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
2 / 3
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 23 hwy

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems

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

  1. Engine17 (30%)
  2. Electrical System12 (21%)
  3. Other10 (18%)
  4. Fuel System8 (14%)
  5. Brakes6 (11%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain6 (11%)
  7. Steering4 (7%)
  8. Airbags3 (5%)
  9. Lane Departure3 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts3 (5%)

What owners report

  • Engine hesitates and lurches on acceleration from a stop before regaining intended speed.
  • One owner reported the engine locked up and blew off part of the top, with fire briefly shooting from the engine bay while driving on the expressway.
  • Transmission would not shift into park despite pressing the shift button, leaving the vehicle stuck in drive.
  • Windshield wipers interlocked and stopped working mid-storm, cutting visibility while driving at highway speed.
  • Vehicle suddenly lost acceleration on the highway in heavy rain, with the speedometer and RPM gauge dropping to zero before a restart fixed it.
  • Cruise control lever placement near the turn signal led to accidental engagement and unintended speeding up.
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2013Jun 2015Jul 2018Mar 2019Jan 2021Feb 2023Jul 2024Nov 2025
81 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2013 to Jun 2026; peak Nov 2017 (5).

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V955000Dec 23, 2022Fuel System348,183 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.

    Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 →

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
23 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 ML350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid1001103 !17
2012Caution6065319.5
2013Best056420
2014Good4068419
2015Best2052519

All Mercedes-Benz ML350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 ML350 is the best-ranked year among 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 56 total complaints.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 ML350?
Engine complaints are the most common, making up 30% of all complaints (17 of 56), with a median mileage at failure of 75,500 miles.
Does the 2013 ML350 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 ML350, covering the fuel system, an eCall software date/time fault, an oil reservoir sealing cap issue, and an electrical system software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 ML350 compare to other years like 2011?
The 2013 ML350 has a complaint index of 0 versus the 2011 model's index of 100, making 2011 the worst-ranked year and 2013 the best among the 6 years tracked.
Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2013 ML350?
NHTSA records show 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries reported for the 2013 ML350, with no deaths.

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.