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EnginePart report

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Engine Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
24%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
37,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 24% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“This car has lot of issues with water pump, radiator leak, lot of engine problems. Oil leak it's got less than 100,000 miles. Radiator hoses leak. Car stopped on mass pike going to albany, ny took it to benz of albany they said engine misfires needs engine replacement and it would cost $47,000 to replace. Very very bad engines. I left a voicemail on benz customer service and no one called back or send me any type of recalls. Very bad service.”

NHTSA complaint #11235222, filed 2019-07, 100,000 miles

“Car stalled while driving. Problem reported to you, before! They sent me to three dealer, all they did was routine checks and did not admit to problem. This is exactly like GM key problem. Why didn't you survey this issue and get a recall?!!”

NHTSA complaint #10569373, filed 2014-03, 3,000 miles

“This is to report an event happened more than once before. The car engine syo suddently while traveling on highway at speed and must have the car pull over to the side of highway to restart again!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10520043, filed 2013-06, 4,600 miles

“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 dealership for evaluation. The engine was seized. Their further investigation revealed that a wrong oil filter had been installed when the oil was changed 5 months and 3000 miles earlier. I tried to find out what this wrong filter would cause. I asked the dealership and then MB and got no response. I suspect if this filter caused the issue it would have been an oil pressure issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11724243, filed 2026-03

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2016215%
2015739%
2014733%
2013924%
201112%
2009213%
200859%
200754%

Other parts of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Electrical system
8 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology