2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (21% of complaints); the 2015 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2023
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2022
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Upon acceleration after a complete stop there are several seconds of hesitation to accelerate and loud clicking sounds that neighboring cars can hear. After doing online research, this issue is not limited to gl450. Other owners have expressed the same concern in other models: 2008 c300, 2009 c300, 2015 c300, 07 gl450, 03 gl450.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2019
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz gl450. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear section would bounce up and down violently due to a faulty rear air suspension. In addition, an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle and the arm rest was extremely hot to the touch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,500.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
“At 9:22am on the morning of january 2, 2019, my suv was parked in my driveway. It was overcast, calm conditions, and around 52. I unlocked my vehicle, got in, started the engine, and closed the driver's door normally. One second later, I heard an explosion as the sunroof exploded. There was no evidence of anything haven fallen on the vehicle nor any evidence that anyone had tampered with my suv. I had last driven the vehicle the afternoon of december 31, 2018 in conditions similar to those described above. I have no recollection of my vehicle being struck by any objects in recent years. This was a sudden and very unexpected occurrence.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2019
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2018
“Blind spot assistance becomes disable and minutes later the blinkers stop working. This occurs while the car is in motion, and appears more frequent on cold weather. This can only be resolved by turning off the car and restarting. Dealership refers it to be an electrical problem with the blind spot assistance. Now it has disable the keyless door opening and button start”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 2013 mercedes-benz gl450. While driving approximately 5 mph in a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated out of control and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy; however, they ruptured and burst into smoke after approximately ten minutes without warning. Both the driver and front passenger sustained injuries that required medical attention. The police and the paramedics were at the scene and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000. ...updated 09/14/16 *bf *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, and GL63 AMG vehicles manufactured May 15, 2012 through October 4, 2012. The second row seat belt anchor fitting bolts may not be properly torqued.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners and dealers will check, and tighten the bolts of the seat belt anchor fittings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall campaign began on May 24, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
How other years compare
Check your exact GL450 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The most complained-about area is engine (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 36,500 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning communication. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.