2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

Most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 550 problems

2 of the 5 complaints (40%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension2
020
Steering2
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Communication19V787000
Filed Nov 1, 201924,226 vehiclesMercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Steering17V250000
Filed Apr 11, 201710,832 vehiclesMercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.(MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2016 G550 and G63 AMG vehicles and 2016 G65 AMG vehicles. The steering coupling may have been insufficiently tightened, resulting in the steering connection wearing.

Risk. The steering coupling wear may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering coupling, free of charge. The remedy is currently unavailable. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SuspensionFire
Filed Oct 29, 2026CA

My suspension light came on while I was driving and my truch caught fire.

SuspensionFire
Filed Sep 25, 2026CA

I was driving on XXX in [XXX] on my way home from picking up my son from [XXX], when I noticed smoke coming from the dash while my suspension light came on. The right side of my car went down. A large amount of smoke started filling the car. I immediately tried to pull over, and as the car slowed, I told my son to get out of the truck and run far away. Once I made a stop, I was able to exit the car as well. I called Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance and the fire department. The fire department came and put out the fire and stated that the dash, console, and driver visor mirror were melted. I had inhaled a lot of smoke because I was the last one out of the car. This has resulted in smoke inhalation, PTSD, and a phobia of driving for both my son and I. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 19, 2023NY

On February 8, 2023, I was driving the vehicle when the driver's side front door swung open while I was driving. The door would not close - the locking mechanism in the driver's front door completely failed and would not engage the door latch. My safety was put at extreme risk - the door flew open as I was taking a turn and I was forced to try to hold the door closed while driving the car. The local Mercedes Benz dealer confirmed the problem noting that the door locking mechanism was "defective"; however, Mercedes Benz did not assume responsibility for the failed door mechanism claiming that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. I did receive a very slight discount but was forced to pay for mostly all of the repair costs. There was no warning of the problem in advance - the door simply flew open while taking a turn as I was driving the vehicle and the only thing that stopped me from falling out of the vehicle was the seat belt. Mercedes Benz should institute a recall of this vehicle model - this was a very dangerous situation and I could have been hurt or killed had I not reacted quickly. I did report this to Mercedes Benz North America.

Steering
Filed May 12, 202262,275 milesCA

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started drifting to the right. The contact attempted to turn left and the steering wheel failed to operate as designed. The vehicle then struck the curb. The service EPS warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with a stripped steering link. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,275.

Steering
Filed May 9, 202266,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not responding while turning to the left or the right. The contact pulled over and after a short stop resumed driving. The contact stated that the EPS malfunction warning light was illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stopped the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V250000 (Steering). The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

All 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20230300Routine
20222300Routine
20217710Routine
20202800Routine
201951200Routine
20180100Routine
20171300Routine
20161400Routine
20150200Routine
20141300Routine
2013 — this page5220Routine
20112100Routine
20100100Routine
20091200Routine

Compare every G 550 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 1, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.