2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 4 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has 4 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 CLS-Class | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 CLS-Class | 7 | 0 |
| 2012 CLS-Class | 24 | 0 |
| 2013 CLS-Class (this page) | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 CLS-Class | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 CLS-Class | 9 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 4 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
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…
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…
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 4 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 4 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 4 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.