2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class holds 62 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most ML-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
Photo by Retired electrician, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

62

Per year

4

Recalls

0

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (13 of 62), then Electrical system (12) and Powertrain (8). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 ML-Class has 66 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2014 has 74 complaints, 3 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as 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 ML-Class. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (62 total)

Engine
13
Electrical system
12
Powertrain
8
Fuel and propulsion system
7
Service brakes
5
Speed control
5
Lane departure
4
Steering
4
Air bags
3
Seat belts
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Exterior lighting
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Suspension
2
Wheels
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Seats
1
Structure
1
Visibility
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

4201362014120152201662017620186201922020220214202272023820244202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-01
  • "Re: My 2013 ML350- Intermittent Start/ Vehicle cutting off while in heavy traffic. Fuel Pump and Fuel modulator failed due to water collecting in the spare tire wheel-weld causing water intrusion into the fuel system. I…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-04-29
  • "On December 6, 2025 I purchased a used 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG from Jaguar Land Rover Willow Grove (Piazza Auto Group) in Pennsylvania. The delivery documentation for the vehicle included a written service…"
    Suspension, Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-03-12
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle lane. The driver was able to push the vehicle safely to the roadside. There…"
    Fuel system, gasoline, Engine · filed 2026-01-15
  • "Good morning ! I am an owner of a 2013 ML 350 . I live in San Diego ,CA ,92103 . I was driving my car on [XXX] and it was raining a lot . After around 30 miles I got to my destination parking area and my car died 20…"
    Electrical system, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-11-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV 4WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

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

W166 generation, 2012–2015
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-40 or 5W-40 (MB-Approval oils; other viscosities by temperature) , 8.5 qt capacity
Tire size 255/50R19 or 265/45R20 (ML350 common packages; other wheels vary)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA complaints on 2012-2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166) vehicles most often name the engine, followed by fuel/propulsion and powertrain. Confirm open recalls by VIN using the specific ML trim string (for example ML350); some Mercedes campaigns are filed under trim-level model names rather than ML-Class.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class holds 62 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most ML-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (13 of 62), then Electrical system (12) and Powertrain (8). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 ML-Class has 66 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2014 has 74 complaints, 3 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2014.

Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class use?

MB-Approval oils such as 0W-40 or 5W-40 are commonly listed for this W166 generation; capacity is about 8.5 qt with filter on typical gasoline fills.

What tire sizes does an ML350 commonly use?

Common OEM packages include 255/50R19 and 265/45R20; confirm the door placard for your wheel option.

What do NHTSA complaints most often name on 2012-2015 ML-Class vehicles?

NHTSA complaints on 2012-2015 ML-Class (W166) vehicles most often name the engine, followed by fuel/propulsion and powertrain; confirm open recalls by VIN.