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Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

37

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 have filed 37 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2013 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 9 of them (24%). The typical failure was reported at 24,000 miles, the median across the 23 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The defect
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
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SUSPENSION:FRONT

18V272000 · April 27, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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. · up to 9,725 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

13V166000 · April 29, 2013

The defect
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.
The risk
If the bolts are not properly torqued, the seat belt anchor bolts may continue to loosen and in the the event of a crash, the belted occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 256 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 37.

ENGINE 9 24%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 22%
SEATS 5 14%
SUSPENSION 5 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 11%
POWER TRAIN 3 8%
AIR BAGS 2 5%
SEAT BELTS 2 5%
WHEELS 2 5%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2013 at 6.

2013 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 24,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10865416. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

AS YOU STATED ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT A REASON A DRIVER WOULD LOOSE CONTROL UNLESS YOU HAVE A MERCADES THAT IS LEAKING GAS AND MY KIDS AND PASSANGERS ARE SICK AND PASSING OUT AND SO AM I. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALMOST 3 YEARS. GOES TO DEALERSHIP AND THEN SITS BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIX IT. FINALLY A LAW SUIT WITH PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM ENTERED THE CLASS ACTION SUIT NOTHING. TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY SAY NOW THE TOXIC GAS LEAKING OUT OF FAULTY A/C UNITS THAT MERCEDES WAS SUED AND CONSUMERS WON BUT NOW WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SO I NOW HAVE SEVERE ASTHMA MY KIDS NOW HAVE BREATHING ISSUES AND WON'T DRIVE A SICK CAR. A/C UNITS ARE TO BE CONTAINED AND HOLD ANTI-FREEZE THAT IF INHALED AS

NHTSA complaint 11427395, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

fire · 87,500 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11209653. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought the vehicle with 104k miles. When hooked to a computer it shows 177k. The odometer was tampered with

NHTSA complaint 11739325. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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. The car gave no indication of anything wrong prior to engine seizing. I got no message on the

NHTSA complaint 11724243, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the freeway, we picked up a big screw in our tire which immediately deflated. To continue our journey, we wanted to replace the tire with the spare wheel. To do that, we used the floor jack that came with the car and this would have been it's first use. While attempting to lift the vehicle, the threaded bushing of this scissor type floor jack completely stripped (see picture). Not only is this super dangerous to have such a floor jack included, but if could have left us stranded for a very long time in case we would have been more remotely. I would suggest to investigate these floor jacks whether the pose any safety hazards and if make Mercedes-Benz replacing them free if

NHTSA complaint 11607649, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

78,000 miles

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 the battery and electrical wiring. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11578908, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUROUND CAMERAS ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT AND BACKUP LIGHTS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE.

NHTSA complaint 11548083. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

106,000 miles

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 manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. The

NHTSA complaint 11535803, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz GL450

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 13 5 —
2015 18 3 —
2014 21 3 —
2012 45 3 —
2011 55 3 —
2010 42 3 —

Other 2013 Mercedes-Benz models

C250 277 C300 258 E350 161 GLK350 137 ML350 56 Sprinter 3500 45 C350 21 Sprinter 2500 21

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst