AI Damage2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 33% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 17% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (67% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
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.
The vehicle abruptly stopped and violently jerked the car and our family was inside in traffic approaching a four way stop light. When we attempted to put the car back into drive and pull off the car automatically shifted itself into park again while we were driving.
The check engine light eventually came on. Upon further inspection and diagnosis found that both engine bank 1 and 2 camshaft position sensors were full of oil due to failed internal packing of sensor. Inspected injector connectors and had oil, o2 sensors connector had oil, power train control unit full of oil.
While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly began to sputter, hesitate, and, on several occasions, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (mercedes-benz of orland park, 8430 w.
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 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GL550 has 7 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 6, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (33%), stalls while driving (33%), fuel system, fuel smell (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550?
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 GL550 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.