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2013 Mercedes-benz E-class
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
185 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Airbags problems dominate (30% of complaints).
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Mercedes-benz E-class, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (56) · Body & structure (22) · Suspension (16) · Electrical system (15)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Airbags
30%56 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Contacted Mercedes because Dealer said it was a common problem. Airbag light was on. I was told that airbags could unsafely deploy as driving the vehicle and the issue…”
Brakes
18%34 complaints · typically near 35k mi · 14 in the last 2 years
“The rear subframe needs fixing. And they are putting my car on hold for 3 weeks, denied a loaner car, and I have to get back to work.”
Body & structure
12%22 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“I took car to dealer to have subframe repaired due to rust and the brake lines are rusted as well due to this issue and i am being charged for the brake lines.”
Engine
9%17 complaints · typically near 44k mi · 2 in the last 2 years
“Car difficult to control found to have corroded sub frame and rear break lines. Very unsafe to drive brought to independent dealer who had car towed back to Mercedes. …”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Mercedes-benz E-CLASS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every E-class model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Mercedes-benz E-class against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.