2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
24,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 37 complaints (24.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Engine: 9; Electrical System: 8; Seats: 5; Suspension: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Power Train: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 6; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11098357 · 2018-05-28 (May 28, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11098357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209653 · 2019-05-24 (May 24, 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-reported narrative. 87,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10569373 · 2014-03-14 (March 14, 2014)
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?!!
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10745399 · 2015-07-31 (July 31, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10745399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532134 · 2013-07-27 (July 27, 2013)
BRAKES ROTORS WARPED THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 5 2013 AT 5269 MILES REPLACED AGAIN NOT TOWING ANYTHING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566656 · 2014-03-02 (March 2, 2014)
1- BRAKES; VIBRATION AND SEVER SHAKING WHILE BREAKING , SINCE 11/2012 AT 2500 MILES NOW AT 14000 MILES . PADS AND ROTORS HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES AND PROBLEM IS KEEP COMING BACK / 2- VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING : SINCE 11/2012 VEHICLE VIBRATES AT ALL DRIVING SPEED 35-70 AND VARIES OF THE ROADS. HAS BEEN TO SERVICES 8 TIMES . ALL TIRES HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 7K MILES. VEHICLE SYMPTOMS GETS BETTER AFTER ROAD FORCE BALANCE BUT RETURNS AFTER FEW HUNDRED MILES. MB USA HAS DECLINED THE REPAIR! 3- ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS; DRIVER SIDE LUMBAR SUPPO…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578908 · 2024-03-22 (March 22, 2024)
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 s…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11578908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11579182 · 2024-03-24 (March 24, 2024)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11579182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535803 · 2023-08-01 (August 1, 2023)
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 rep…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11535803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509978 · 2023-03-03 (March 3, 2023)
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while the fuel gauge was at a quarter tank. An unknown message was displayed. AAA arrived on the scene and added fuel to the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred on two separate occasions while the fuel gauge was at a quarter tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge module and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehic…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11509978 at NHTSA ↗