Suround cameras are not able to see at night and backup lights not bright enough to see.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class electrical problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 7 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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. This resulted in the replacement of the engine wiring harness, four (4) Lambda sensors, four (4) camshaft hall sensors and four…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 (na) Mercedes benz gl450. While driving at 40 MPH through a puddle, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road, where the vehicle eventually turned off. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. In addition, the vehicle failed to recognize the key and took several attempts to start the vehicle. The…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-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 electrical problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 38,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/GL-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.