2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 1, 2026 · 56 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other ML350 years
About as many complaints as other years 9th of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. That ranks 9th out of 14 ML350 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (12 complaints, 21%), typically at around 92,273 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems

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

Engine12 · ~92,273 mi
Electrical System11 · ~80,000 mi
Unknown or Other10 · ~85,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System7 · ~129,000 mi
Power Train6 · ~40,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control5 · ~40,000 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~100,234 mi
Steering4 · ~80,000 mi
Air Bags3 · ~51,000 mi
Lane Departure3
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine1221%92,273——
Electrical System1120%80,000——
Unknown or Other1018%85,000——
Fuel/propulsion System713%129,000——
Power Train611%40,000——
Vehicle Speed Control59%40,000——
Service Brakes47%100,234——
Steering47%80,000——
Air Bags35%51,000——
Lane Departure35%———
Seat Belts35%51,000——
Visibility/wiper24%41,000——
Wheels24%40,500——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12%50,000——
Exterior Lighting12%71,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance12%———
Fuel System, Gasoline12%96,000——
Seats12%67,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12%199,000——
Structure12%74,000——
Suspension12%125,000——
Visibility12%25,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 8 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 5201452015: 1201512016: 2201622017: 5201752018: 6201862019: 6201962020: 2202022021: 2202122022: 4202242023: 6202362024: 8202482025: 4202542026: 320263

n = 56 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls (4)

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

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module; fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive moduleDec 23, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V955000 · 348,183 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

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.

Suspension:frontApr 27, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Electrical system:software; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveMar 14, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V177000 · 51 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

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.

Recent owner reports

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

NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was subject to a Mercedes-Benz recall…

Engine · received Jun 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11741266

Re: My 2013 ML350- Intermittent Start/ Vehicle cutting off while in heavy traffic. Fuel Pump and Fuel modulator failed due to water collecting in the spare tire wheel-weld causing water intrusion into the fuel system. I paid out of pocket for this service twice, AND then found out from MB Tacoma…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Apr 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11734678

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle lane. The driver was able to push the vehicle safely to the roadside. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer…

Engine · received Jan 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11711198

Good morning ! I am an owner of a 2013 ML 350 . I live in San Diego ,CA ,92103 . I was driving my car on [XXX] and it was raining a lot . After around 30 miles I got to my destination parking area and my car died 20 feet away from the parking zone .I tried to reignite it but it wouldn’t start . I…

Electrical System · received Nov 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11699776

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…

Engine · received Sep 10, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11686235

Other Mercedes-Benz ML350 years

← 2012 ML350 · 2014 ML350 →

See all Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.

Similar Mercedes-Benz models

Embed this 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 12 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other ML350 model years, the 2013 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.