2013 Mercedes-Benz Gl450 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Seats (5) · Suspension (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gl450 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
23 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
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
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front 2018-04-27 · campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
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
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts 2013-04-29 · campaign 13V166000 · 256 vehicles
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (80)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Showing the 6 most recent of 80 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-21 · Unknown Or Other“i bought the vehicle with 104k miles. when hooked to a computer it shows 177k. the odometer was tampered with …”
2026-03-13 · 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…”
2024-08-09 · 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…”
2024-03-24 · Power Train“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…”
2024-03-22 · Power Train · 78,000 mi“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 p…”
2023-10-03 · Electrical System“suround cameras are not able to see at night and backup lights not bright enough to see.…”
2023-08-01 · Steering · 106,000 mi“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…”
2023-06-26 · Engine“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 own…”
2023-03-03 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 110,000 mi“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 …”
2022-11-26 · Engine“the engine failed under 100k miles after being properly maintained according to the manufactures guidelines.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.