2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 16, 2023 · 4 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CLS550 years
Not enough data 6th of 13 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. That ranks 6th out of 13 CLS550 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 25%). There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System1
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~85,000 mi
Power Train1
Seat Belts1 · ~50,000 mi
Service Brakes1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System125%———
Fuel System, Gasoline125%85,000——
Power Train125%———
Seat Belts125%50,000——
Service Brakes125%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 1 complaints
2017: 1201712020: 1202012022: 1202212023: 120231

n = 4 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

CommunicationNov 1, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 10, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V137000 · 30,141 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.

Structure:body:hoodFeb 13, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V088000 · 147,224 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 E350 Sedan, E350 4Matic Sedan, E350 4Matic Station Wagon, E400 Hybrid Sedan, CLS 550 CGI, and CLS550 4Matic, 2013-2014 E550 4Matic Sedan, 2013 E63 Sedan, E63 Station Wagon and CLS63, 2014-2015 CLS63 4Matic, E63 4Matic Sedan, E63 4Matic Sedan "S", and E63 4Matic Station Wagon, 2015 CLS400, 2015 E400 Sedan, E400 4Matic Sedan and CLS400 4Matic and 2014 CLS63 "S". The affected vehicles have a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay that may temporarily stick to the hood when it is opened and then may fall into the engine bay when the hood is closed.

Risk: If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will attach four additional retaining clips to the rubber seal, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-201-573-5339. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015020001.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I brought the car to my Mercedes dealer for a State required safety and emissions inspection. It passed but they said the rear brake line were rusted and needed replacement at a cost of $2546.00. This model and numerous others were recently provided an extended warranty for rusted subframes. This…

Service Brakes · received Nov 16, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11555559

Car looses communication with the Electronic Ignition System (keyless system) and while rolling to a stop light, slams the car into park while still rolling. It also will throw itself into park while first accelerating - almost causing the car following me to crash into my rear end.

Electrical System · received Apr 11, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11460374

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz cls550. The contact stated that after refueling and parking in the garage, the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel had leaked from under the rear driver's side seat. The cause of the failure was not…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Dec 7, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11378311

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz cls550. The contact stated that the seat belt did not retract. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure…

Seat Belts · received Oct 18, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11034379

Other Mercedes-Benz CLS550 years

← 2012 CLS550 · 2014 CLS550 →

See all Mercedes-Benz CLS550 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?

Owners most often report electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CLS550 model years, the 2013 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.