BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is seats/restraints problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz cls550. the contact stated that the seat belt did not retract. the vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or a dealer for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure milea.

5

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

1 complaints
20%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 155K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
4 yr / 50K mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2013 CLS550, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: Car looses communication with the Electronic Ignition System (keyless system) and while rolling to a stop light, slams the car into park while still rolling. It also will throw itself into park while first accelerating - almost causing the car following me to crash into my rear end.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: Car looses communication with the Electronic Ignition System (keyless system) and while rolling to a stop light, slams the car into park while still rolling. It also will throw itself into park while first accelerating - almost causing the car following me to crash into my rear end.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz CLS550 — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
11

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550