My car was parked in our garage which is level. My son and I got into the car, and I attempted to put the car in reverse to leave. After several attempts, the car would not go into gear. With the car still parked in the garage and with the engine off, my son and I exited the car, and I went inside the house to get the keys to another car. About 10 minutes later when my son and I were in the…
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 E-Class | 15 |
| 2011 E-Class | 8 |
| 2012 E-Class | 9 |
| 2013 E-Class (this page) | 7 |
| 2014 E-Class | 12 |
| 2016 E-Class | 4 |
| 2017 E-Class | 15 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The transmission shifts hard, with cluck. This is a know problem, according to the Mercedes service manager. My question is why hasn't the manufacturer been made to recall or at least repair it at NO cost to the owner? This is a expensive repair.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.