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2013 Mercedes-Benz GL

SUV · 2010–2016

2010–2016 Mercedes-Benz GL — 2010–2016 pictured. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2016The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual

37 serious complaints of 52, the most about engine (15) and power train (9); per car on the road, 0.9× this model's usual year.

What owners report

“2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450; it started with the activation of the vehicle's check - engine light. The Mercedes-Benz service advisor diagnosed the issue as oil intrusion into the vehicle's engine wiring harness. The estimated cost to repair was quoted as $7,0000.00.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Aug 2022

“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Jul 2024

52 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 14–16 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2013 trims and features

Every GL year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo; 5.5L 8-cyl turbo · Drive: 4WD

2013 GL trims

	GL350 BLUETEC 4MATIC	GL450 4MATIC	GL550 4MATIC	GL63 AMG

base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Mercedes-Benz reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Mercedes-Benz aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2016	3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 250–362 hp 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 429 hp 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–19 mpg	Not rated	20	Unknown or other (5)	—
2015	3.0L 6-cyl turbo 4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–19 mpg	Not rated	35	Engine (14)	—
2014	4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–16 mpg	Not rated	39	Engine (11)	—
2013	4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo	4WD	14–16 mpg	Not rated	52	Engine (15)	—
2012	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14–15 mpg	Not rated	77	Air bags (40)	—
2011	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14–15 mpg	Not rated	97	Air bags (56)	—
2010	4.7L 8-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl	4WD	14 mpg	Not rated	66	Air bags (30)	—

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2016	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	7	20
2015	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	3	35
2014	Mercedes-Benz GL-CLASS SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Standard	No	3	39
2013	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV 4WD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	3	52
2012	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	77
2012	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	77
2011	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	97
2011	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	97
2010	Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4-DR w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	3	66

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2016	AMG GL63	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2016	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo	19
2016	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2015	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo	19
2015	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2015	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2014	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	16
2014	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2014	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2013	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	16
2013	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo	15
2013	GL63 AMG	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo	14
2012	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	15
2012	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14
2011	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	15
2011	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14
2010	GL450 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L	14
2010	GL550 4matic	Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L	14

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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