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. At the time the car stalled, the tank was approximately 1/8 full according to the gauge, but in fact the car stalled because it ran out of fuel. They were unable to pinpoint why they fuel gauge was showing the wrong level.
The worst 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical4
- Transmission3
- Engine2
- Steering2
- Driver assistance1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical4
- Transmission3
- Engine2
- Steering2
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
Recalls 3
Communication
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 19V787000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 18V272000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 13V166000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 83
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Engine
- Visibility/wiper
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time
- A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially...
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements...
- The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the...
- After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the...
What 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
We purchased the 2013 gl 550 five months ago. When we were driving home the vehicle shifted itself into park while in was in drive. 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. This happened in the middle of traffic while making a left turn with oncoming traffic at a light. Police were called. Car was towed. We've since found that there was a recall for faulty installation of the eis for the model year right before ours, 2012. Apparently the problem was never fixed and was passed on, but mercedes benz failed to warn consumers nor issue a recall. We are getting no help with repairs even though this is an ongoing safety issues occurring in several of their cars. We're asking nhts for assistance with forcing mercedes benz to fix this very dangerous and expensive problem. ## VIN passed ## mercedes-benz 2013 gl 550 ##
2013 mercedes rough running at idle, various faults stored for injector quantity compensation for cylinder balancing. Fault code p1cwf-85. 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. If enough oil was to flow through the electrical wires to the control unit as such this instance or sensor may result in immediate catastrophic failure and vehicles ability to drive. If the vehicle is on the highway and stops working may endanger occupants. Also noted that the failed part is a mercedes benz service bulletin for previous males and models but this 2013 gl550 is not included even though the same part number is used in the new cars as the previous vehicles with this mercedes benz acknowledged issue. Also noted that the body harness connect to the same engine control unit which controls the safety functions such as airbags, speedometer and other essential functions.*dt
I was driving on the highway at 80 MPH.then all of a sudden on the speedometer a message started to be displayed blind spot inactive ,then pre-safe functions limited active lane keep assist unavailable .all of a sudden the cruz control failed. Them the turn signals failed . Then I stopped the car waited for 10 mins restarted the car the same error came after driving 300 miles . The failure of turn signals nearly caused me to have accidents since the person behind me doesnt know when I am changing the lane. I had small children in my car and my wife . This problem is worser than the toyota prius cruz control failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz gl550. 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. 159th st, orland park, illinois) where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinder head was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the failure was not due to a faulty cylinder head; however, the spark plugs and spark plug wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures continued. The independent mechanic later diagnosed that the number 5 cylinder was misfiring and the manufacturer issued a service bulletin that addressed the issue. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
I was driving freeway 5n (12/20/12) about 200 miles n of la with my distronic plus set for 79 MPH when the distronic quit causing the car to suddenly decelerate and without any warning. A car that was following (too) closely had to brake to avoid hitting me. I received 3 error messages saying distronic plus inoperative, active lane keeping assist inoperative and active blind spot assist inoperative. My manual has error messages than can occur but did not show the error messages I received on the dash read-out. On 1/9/13 the distronic failed again in the same way with the same messages. I took the car to mercedes on 1/17/13 for inspection. The dealer found "no related fault codes present". I have asked mercedes repeatedly if this is supposed to happen and they will not answer my question. And they have not answered why my error messages are not shown anywhere in their manuals. On a test drive with a service tech on 3/21/13 the distronic failed to brake the vehicle when the vehicle came upon a parked car and also a car in the driving lane. This happened 5 times. The service tech supervisor drove the car and had the exact experience. On april 4, 2013 I had an appointment to have my car driven by a factory rep. The mercedes factory technical specialist and the penske shop supervisor drove and tested my car several times. The vehicle did not stop or sound a tone when coming up on stopped vehicles or cars in the driving lane when the distronic plus was activated which is not how it is designed to work. Not knowing the cause the mb fst noted on my work order of april 4, 2013: 5442 mb fts to review. I have not heard back from mercedes on these issues other than a buy back offer that states that my claims are "doubtful" which is simply not true. Their response is irresponsible and insulting. I want my car fixed so it is safe to drive.
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Questions about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550, fewer than a typical GL550 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550?
Electrical system, with 4 complaints. Next is transmission (3).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 have?
3 recalls, covering communication, suspension and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V787000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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