AI Damage2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 40% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 40% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- Steering: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My suspension light came on while I was driving and my truch caught fire.
I was driving on XXX in [XXX] on my way home from picking up my son from [XXX], when I noticed smoke coming from the dash while my suspension light came on. The right side of my car went down. A large amount of smoke started filling the car.
The door would not close - the locking mechanism in the driver's front door completely failed and would not engage the door latch. My safety was put at extreme risk - the door flew open as I was taking a turn and I was forced to try to hold the door closed while driving the car.
The service EPS warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with a stripped steering link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,275.
The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not responding while turning to the left or the right. The contact pulled over and after a short stop resumed driving.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,283 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the G 550 has 2 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, suspension, structure. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (80%), smoke, burning smell, fire (40%), door locks, latches, handles (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.