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Mercedes-Benz GL450Model year report

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz GL450 years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010, 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
24,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.7L 8-cyl 4WD · 14 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The part named most often is engine, with 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and seats (5). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 61% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 80 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 29 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Mercedes-Benz GL450 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Engine harness wires contamination in me, cause sensors damage and engine problems to start up right normal dealer want to charge me 14k for service and repair , every time I start the car it sounds like it take time to start and I get the check engine evertime I start the car”

NHTSA complaint #11185140, filed 2019-03, 58,000 miles

Electrical system: “Driving down the freeway at 60 MPH, a message was displayed on the instrument panel blind spot assist inoperative, and the turn indicators stopped working, both left and right. Had to exit the freeway, but was not able to indicate to other drivers that I was changing lanes, as turn indicators were not working. Came to parking lot, shut the engine off and started back up, then the turn indicators started working along with blind spot assist. However, the issue came back after driving a few more miles. This problem also happened on the surface roads traveling at 35 MPH.”

NHTSA complaint #10819381, filed 2016-01, 36,000 miles

Seats: “The 2nd row headrests do not fully extend/retract upward and also cannot be removed! We are being told by mbusa that this is because of the easy entry 2nd row option and that those headrests have limited capabilities as far as raising/lowering/removing. As a result children sitting in the 2nd row have their heads pushed forward (because of the headrests) which is causing major neck discomfort and is a real hazard for children. …”

NHTSA complaint #10525534, filed 2013-07, 180 miles

Suspension: “When activation of the suspension lift system. Compressor is cooling then a malfunction message appears on the screen. Vehicle shakes violently in the rear up and down at low and high speeds and over any small bumps in the road. This concerns me for the safety of other owners whom may have the same problem. 2013 mercedes benz gl 450 is the model I own currently and ive been having this problem for the past 3 months and I'm almost scared to drive it for fear of something catostrophic happening. Please look into this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11364349, filed 2020-10, 100,456 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

61% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,000 and 78,000 miles.

39%0–1013%10–259%25–504%50–7517%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 24,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

6201420162019202120232026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GL450 4matic 4WD4.7L 8-cyl7-speed automatic141916$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 80 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 80 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016135,0005—19—Not enough data
20151838,5083—19—Falling
20142156,0003—16—Rising
20133724,0003—1650 · TypicalStable
20124757,5003—150 · FewerFalling
20115573,0003—1550 · TypicalRising
20104292,1383—140 · FewerStable
200915121,0003—15—Falling
20085569,0002—1552 · TypicalStable
200711580,0002—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz GL450 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 (GL450 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,000 and 78,000 miles; 61% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.