Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 9 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 9 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 9 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
I just had a very expensive repair done to my 2013 s550; replacing the engine harness, on a car that was looked after like my own child! Oil changes regularly, service a and service b as soon as the light went on, absolutely no reason why this sort of damage should have happened…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes benz s350. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The engine caught on fire while the vehicle was unoccupied. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz s550. While driving 65 MPH, the headlights dimmed without warning. The headlights did not provide enough illumination to drive safely. The contact also stated that water entered the headlight housings and created condensation.…
-Combustion engine sporadically fails to start. -Combustion engine can no longer be started. -Start/Stop function is sporadically unavailable (READY displayed in yellow in instrument cluster). -Start/Stop function fails to function properly in dangerous road conditions - e.g.,…
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 9 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-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 S-Class?
Only 9 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 S-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 S-Class?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-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 S-Class a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 9 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 S-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 S-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 S-Class?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 9 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.