Problem Lookup › Mercedes-Benz › GL-Class › 2013
Car problem report
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 52owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 18%fail the UK MOT
52 complaints, against an average of 43 for the other 4 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class model years.
Every Mercedes-Benz GL-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
The components named most often in the 52 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 52 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class idle rough, misfire or hesitate?7 owners · 13.5%
- Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class stall, lose power or shut off while driving?5 owners · 9.6%
- Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class had engine failures?4 owners · 7.7%
- Why is my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class burning or losing oil?3 owners · 5.8%
- Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?3 owners · 5.8%
- Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vibrate or shake while driving?3 owners · 5.8%
Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Risk: On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.
Fix: Replace the steering gear mounting bolts on the affected vehicles with steel bolts. Should the bolts break or already be broken change the steering gear.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Replace brake booster in vehicles that have not passed XENTRY test and require part replacement.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAThe function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing
Risk: The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
Fix: Check the brake booster on the affected vehicles and - depending on the result of this inspection - replace it where necessary.
UK DVSAOil foam may develop in the active curve system oil reservoir
Risk: It has been determined that on Model series ML/GLE GL/GLS (166) & GLE Coupe (292) with ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM (ACS) Oil foam may develop in the systems oil reservoir under dynamic operating conditions and at an oil level below the minimum level and escape via the ventilation bores in the cap of the reservoir. Depending on the orientation of the two ventilation bores the escaping oil could spray onto hot component parts of the exhaust system. In this case risk of fire cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the oil dipstick of the reservoir for the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM.
EU Safety GateThe three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting…The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe aluminium bolts of the steering box may break.This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateSevere corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force…Severe corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under…The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe sealing cap of the Active Curve System's oil reservoir does not prevent oil from leaking out.Oil may leak out and spray onto hot components. As a consequence it may ignite and lead to fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective.This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class owners report?
12 of the 52 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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…
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 gauge and refueled the car. At the time the car stalled, the tank was approximately 1/8 full according to the gauge, but in fact the car stalled because it ran out of fuel. They were unable to pinpoint why they fuel gauge was showing the wrong level.
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 infiltration into the battery compartment situated beneath the front passenger seat and concealed beneath the carpet. Even minor rainfall or streetwater has been found to breach this compartment, causing extensive damage to the vehicle's electronic systems. This results in highly precarious and unpredictable behavior, endangering both occupants and road users. As a poignant example…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked; however, while opening the door to enter the vehicle, the message "Transmission not in P, Risk of Vehicle Rolling Away" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and moved the gear shifter in and out of park(P); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that he became aware that there was water accumulation underneath the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that there was water on…
SUROUND CAMERAS ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT AND BACKUP LIGHTS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had experienced the failure five times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The…
Exhaust valve not working properly and the result of an engine misfire. Mercedez sent us a warranty letter to extend the warranty for this issue 6 months after our warranty expired even though you can find online this has been a known issue for our model of car and year, GL450 2013. There are tons of online forums and threads from Mercedez Benz owners about this manufacturer issue. This should not fall under purchasing an extended warranty or in our case a $17,000 bill to fix the issue on a car with only 70,000 miles on it. This should be a recall.
Unknown:The road adaptive tire pressure sensors are off and the air suspension is malfunctions.At the cost of this model I would expected a little more class of safety measures.
Driver's side tire continues to leak air - note low tire pressure even with new tire replacement. Airmatic Suspension failure. Rear airbag suspension airbag. Compression also failed. Several complaints to dealer advising the car was bouncing up and down while in drive. Took vehicle to the shop with suspension complaints at the end of April 2021. We were told they did not find an issue with suspension but saw an issue with the sway bar. This cost $549.00. The week we brought the car home it was still bouncing up and down and we contacted the dealer again and was advised they did not find…
A DEFECTIVE REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG ALERT / SIGN COMES ON ONCE I TURN THE ENGINE ON. IT STAYS ON THROUGH OUT THE DRIVE. I SUSPECT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE
HEADRESTS ON SECOND ROW WITH EASY ENTRY OPTION CANNOT BE REMOVED. THEREFORE, PROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD SAFETY SEAT (CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT) IS IMPOSSIBLE. THIS FAMILY VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE SAFELY FOR A CHILD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE PROFUSELY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THE DEALER RECOMMENDED AND REPAIRED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
Mercedes-Benz guides on CarHooq
- Upcoming SUV Mercedes-Benz GLC-300 2023Guide · 12 min read
- How to fix Mercedes GLA Car Shifts Gear To Neutral When DrivingGuide · 7 min read
- Mercedes GLA Cold Weather Problems And How To Take Off Car In Sub-Zero TemperatureGuide · 10 min read
- Troubleshooting Mercedes GLA Reverse Camera Not FunctioningGuide · 5 min read
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; the most common categories were engine (15, 28.8%), electrical system (12, 23.1%), power train (9, 17.3%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 2 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
Across 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (28.8% of complaints), electrical system (23.1% of complaints), power train (17.3% of complaints), suspension (11.5% of complaints), seats (9.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
7 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (13.5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Exhaust valve not working properly and the result of an engine misfire. Mercedez sent us a warranty letter to extend the warranty for this issue 6 months after our warranty expired even though you can find online this has been a known issue for our model of…" (NHTSA complaint 11528865, June 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (9.6%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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 gauge and refueled the car." (NHTSA complaint 11603522, July 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class had engine failures?
4 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (7.7%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450; it started with the activation of the vehicle's check - engine light. The Mercedes-Benz service advisor diagnosed the issue as oil intrusion into the vehicle's engine wiring harness." (NHTSA complaint 11477496, August 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class burning or losing oil?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (5.8%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11235222, July 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (5.8%) describe seat belts not latching, retracting or locking. One owner wrote: "Driver side, 2nd row seat belt will not retract. Needed for our children. I will contact a local garage and dealer to fix." (NHTSA complaint 11462800, April 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vibrate or shake while driving?
3 of the 52 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (5.8%) describe vibration or shaking while driving. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz gl450. the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle would shake profusely when applying the brakes." (NHTSA complaint 10593690, May 2014). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own GL-Class
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only.