CarBrief

NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on file for the 2013 ML-Class[1], and the car has 4 recalls[2]. One recall covers a fuel pump control unit that water can damage, which could stall the engine while driving[3].

56owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
15–20MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 56 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, three a fire and three an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The largest groups are:

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. This is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a hint only.

In the engine sample, owners describe oil leaking from several places, including an oil cooler, seals, a timing chain cover and a cap[5]. One engine complaint reports a fire and one an injury[5].

In the electrical sample, owners describe oil or water reaching wiring and control units. Others describe warnings from driver-assist systems[6].

In the fuel sample, owners describe stalling or lost power. Several tie it to the fuel pump and to water collecting in the spare tire well[8].

In the power train sample, owners describe trouble with shifting or parking, and moments when the car would not accelerate[9].

Recalls

NHTSA shows four recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine:

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
ML350, 3.5L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive[16] 18 / 23 / 20 $4,100
ML350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, 4-wheel drive[17] 18 / 23 / 20 $4,100
ML550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo[18] 14 / 20 / 16 $5,150
ML63 AMG, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo[19] 13 / 17 / 15 $5,500

EPA also lists an ML350 4matic that takes premium or E85 at the same 20 combined MPG[4]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for the 2013 ML-Class:

How 2013 compares with other years

1998: 133 complaints, 0 recalls19981999: 169 complaints, 0 recalls2000: 214 complaints, 0 recalls20002001: 190 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 117 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 61 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 53 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 31 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 210 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 108 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 88 complaints, 2 recalls20082009: 121 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 101 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 113 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 65 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 56 complaints, 4 recalls5620132014: 68 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 52 complaints, 5 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each ML-Class model year. The 2013 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981330
19991690
20002140
20011900
20021171
2003610
2004530
2005310
20062102
20071082
2008882
20091213
20101013
20111133
2012653
2013564
2014684
2015525

The 2013 model year has 56 complaints and 4 recalls[2]. The neighboring years look like this[2]:

Year Complaints Recalls
2012 65 3
2013 56 4
2014 68 4
2015 52 5

The 2013 year has fewer complaints than 2012 and 2014 and more than 2015. Across the listed ML-Class years, only 2004 (53), 2005 (31) and 2015 (52) have fewer complaints than the 56 for 2013[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, but comparing years of the same model is fair.

Should you buy a used 2013 ML-Class?

The complaint count is lower than in most other ML-Class years, but the 2013 year has 4 recalls, and one of them covers a possible stall while driving[2][3]. Before buying, check that the fuel pump control unit recall 22V955 was done, since a stall while driving raises crash risk[3]. Ask for service records on oil leaks, because sampled engine complaints describe them[5]. The ML350 is the easier version on fuel at 20 combined MPG, against 16 for the ML550 and 15 for the ML63 AMG[16][18][19].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes ML-Class?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 12 of 56 complaints, followed by electrical with 11[1][5][6]. In the sample we read, engine owners describe oil leaks[5].
Does the 2013 ML-Class have recalls?
NHTSA shows 4 recalls, covering the fuel pump control unit, the emergency call clock, Active Curve System oil and air bag software[3][13][14][15][2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 ML350?
EPA rates it 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined MPG[16][17].
How much horsepower does the 2013 ML-Class have?
EPA lists 302 hp for the 3.5L, 402 hp for the 4.7L and 518 hp for the 5.5L[20][21][22].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (2 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz ML-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 22V955, filed December 23, 2022: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump › Control / Drive Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for ML350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium or E85, 4-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,273). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 10 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V787, filed November 1, 2019: Communication. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V272, filed April 27, 2018: Suspension › Front. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V177, filed March 14, 2017: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for ML350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for ML350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for ML550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for ML63 AMG, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 302 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 4.7L 8-cylinder: rated 402 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 518 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.