2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliability
NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class holds 52 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 GL-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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The complaints owners file most often name Engine (15 of 52), then Electrical system (12) and Powertrain (9). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.
The 2012 GL-Class has 77 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 39 complaints, 1 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (52 total)
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6
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"I bought the vehicle with 104k miles. When hooked to a computer it shows 177k. The odometer was tampered with"
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"I was driving along in my 2013 MB GL450 with the M278 engine when the engine stopped. I had it towed to my home and checked it out. I had a suspicion the engine was seized. I eventually had to towed to my closest MB…"
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"While driving on the freeway, we picked up a big screw in our tire which immediately deflated. To continue our journey, we wanted to replace the tire with the spare wheel. To do that, we used the floor jack that came…"
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"While driving on the highway approximately 70 mph the car stalled. I slowly came to a stop, unable to restart the car. After getting towed to a nearby Mercedes service shop, They diagnosed the issue as inaccurate fuel…"
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"I am reaching out to bring to your attention a significant manufacturing flaw in the Mercedes GL450 model, which poses a severe risk to both vehicle functionality and passenger safety. The issue pertains to water…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
Recall 13V-166 covers certain 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles: second-row seat-belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued. The campaign lists 256 vehicles across those GL models; dealers check and tighten the bolts. Recall 18V-272 covers certain 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec, GL550, and GL63 AMG 4Matic vehicles (and ML/GLS models): power steering oil foam can leak from the reservoir. That multi-model campaign lists 9,725 vehicles; dealers correct the oil level and replace the reservoir sealing cap. Recall 16V-900 covers certain 2015 GL350/GL450/GL550 and related models for axle-carrier bolts that may loosen (48 vehicles).
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliable?
NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class holds 52 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 GL-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (15 of 52), then Electrical system (12) and Powertrain (9). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2012 GL-Class has 77 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 39 complaints, 1 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.
Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class with NHTSA.
What oil does a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class take?
GL 450 lists 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (~7.4 qt). Verify the MB approval sheet on the oil container.
What does recall 13V-166 cover on the GL-Class?
Certain 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles: second-row seat-belt related defect—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.
What tire sizes did the X166 GL-Class use?
275/55R19, 275/50R20, or 295/40R21 depending on trim.