VehicleVerdict

2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 82 owner complaints run below the Ml350 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (12), electrical system (12), and other (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

82

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Ml350 years?

Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted235 complaints2001: 2 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 44 complaints2005: 28 complaints2006: 235 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 93 complaints2009: 105 complaints2010: 113 complaints2011: 126 complaints2012: 92 complaints2013: 82 complaints2014: 107 complaints2015: 78 complaints
Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ml350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1215%
Engine1215%
Other1012%
Fuel System810%
Transmission67%
Brakes56%
Speed Control56%
Driver Assistance56%
Steering45%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Seat Belts34%
Airbags34%
Tires & Wheels22%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V955000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2022 · 348,183 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.

Consequence

An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

19V787000OtherNovember 1, 2019 · 24,226 units

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

Consequence

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.

18V272000SuspensionApril 27, 2018 · 9,725 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V177000Electrical SystemMarch 14, 2017 · 51 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

12E028000OtherAugust 9, 2012 · 8,879 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain accessory all-season floor mats sold for use in model year 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class vehicles. This all-season floor mat may not fully conform to the contour of the vehicle's floor plan as intended. Clearance between the mat and the gas pedal may be reduced, possibly allowing the pedal to become trapped.

Consequence

This interference could prevent the gas pedal from retracting and the vehicle may not decelerate as expected when the driver lifts their foot from the gas pedal, which could increase the risk of a crash. Should the pedal become trapped, steady application of the brakes will allow the vehicle to be brought to a stop.

Remedy

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the floor mats free of charge. Until replacement mats become available, consumers are advised to remove their floor mats from the vehicle. The safety recall began on December 21, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the accessory floor mats are affected. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz for more information at 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN FUEL IS LOWER IN THE TANK AND/OR ON AN INCLINE, RPM DROPS TO ZERO, NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL DOES ANYTHING UNTIL THE ENGINE SPEED PICKS UP, USUALLY WITH A JERK FORWARD. MAKES GOING ONTO A BUSY STREET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 31, 2019

“The engine locked up after blowing the top part of the engine off, fire shot out of the engine and quickly went out like a flam thrower. I was driving on the expressway when the accelerator would not work without any warning I didn’t have any issues with this truck. The car cut off immediately…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 17, 2025 · fire

“AFTER PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DRIVE LESS THAN 1000 FT THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE TURNED IN FLAMES AND FIRE AND THEN BURNT TO THE GROUND. MBZ DID AN INSPECTION AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUTED AND DENIED EVERYTHING I TOLD THEM AND STATED THEY HAD NO EVIDENCE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 6, 2018 · fire

“VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN FUEL IS LOWER IN THE TANK AND/OR ON AN INCLINE, RPM DROPS TO ZERO, NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL DOES ANYTHING UNTIL THE ENGINE SPEED PICKS UP, USUALLY WITH A JERK FORWARD. MAKES GOING ONTO A BUSY STREET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 31, 2019

“VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN FUEL IS LOWER IN THE TANK AND/OR ON AN INCLINE, RPM DROPS TO ZERO, NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL DOES ANYTHING UNTIL THE ENGINE SPEED PICKS UP, USUALLY WITH A JERK FORWARD. MAKES GOING ONTO A BUSY STREET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 31, 2019

2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 — common questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ml350: 82 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Ml350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Ml350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Ml350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ml350 years to avoid are 2006, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Ml350 years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.