Airmatic suspension system drops in the rear of vehicle.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class suspension problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 6 suspension complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA suspension 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 3 most recent
When activation of the suspension lift system. Compressor is cooling then a malfunction message appears on the screen. Vehicle shakes violently in the rear up and down at low and high speeds and over any small bumps in the road. This concerns me for the safety of other owners whom may have the same problem. 2013 Mercedes benz gl 450 is the model I own currently and ive been having this problem…
Upon acceleration after a complete stop there are several seconds of hesitation to accelerate and loud clicking sounds that neighboring cars can hear. After doing online research, this issue is not limited to gl450. Other owners have expressed the same concern in other models: 2008 c300, 2009 c300, 2015 c300, 07 gl450, 03 gl450.
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 82,739 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.