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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual
46 serious complaints of 62, the most about engine (13) and power train (8); 0.7× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2013 vehicles.
What owners report
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jan 2026
“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the transmission shifted from second to third gear and was slipping. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Apr 2024
62 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 15–20 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2013 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; 4.7L 8-cyl turbo; 5.5L 8-cyl turbo · Drive: 4WD, RWD
2013 ML trims
| ML350 | ML350 4-MATIC | ML350 BLUETEC 4-MATIC | ML550 4-MATIC | ML63 AMG 4-MATIC |
|---|
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 | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.1L 4-cyl turbo diesel 3.0L 6-cyl turbo 3.5L 6-cyl 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 15–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 66 | Engine (16) | — |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 15–20 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 74 | Electrical system (21) | — |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 15–20 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 62 | Engine (13) | — |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4.7L 8-cyl turbo 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 15–20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 66 | Engine (22) | — |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid 5.5L 8-cyl 6.3L 8-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 12–22 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 119 | Air bags (62) | — |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid 5.5L 8-cyl 6.3L 8-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 12–22 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 106 | Air bags (71) | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 7 | 66 |
| 2015 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 7 | 66 |
| 2014 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 74 |
| 2014 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 74 |
| 2013 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV 4WD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 62 |
| 2013 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 62 |
| 2012 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 4 | 66 |
| 2011 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 119 |
| 2011 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 119 |
| 2011 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Hybrid SUV RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 119 |
| 2011 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Hybrid SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 119 |
| 2010 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 106 |
| 2010 | Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Hybrid 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 106 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ML250 Bluetec 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 4 cyl, 2.1 L, Diesel, Turbo | 25 |
| 2015 | ML350 | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2015 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI |
19 |
| 2015 | ML400 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 20 |
| 2015 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo | 15 |
| 2014 | ML350 | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2014 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI |
19 |
| 2014 | ML550 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo | 16 |
| 2014 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo | 15 |
| 2013 | ML350 | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2013 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI |
20 |
| 2013 | ML550 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo | 16 |
| 2013 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo | 15 |
| 2012 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI |
19–20 |
| 2012 | ML550 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2012 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L, Turbo | 15 |
| 2011 | ML350 | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 17 |
| 2011 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 17 |
| 2011 | ML450 Hybrid 4matic | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2011 | ML550 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L | 15 |
| 2011 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 6.3 L | 12 |
| 2010 | ML350 | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 18 |
| 2010 | ML350 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 17 |
| 2010 | ML450 Hybrid 4matic | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2010 | ML550 4matic | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L | 15 |
| 2010 | ML63 AMG | Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 6.3 L | 12 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.