2013 Ford Explorer vs 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2013 Ford Explorer | 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 2,228 | 56 |
| Recall campaigns | 11 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 139 | 128 |
| Investigations | 6 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 44 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 11 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–23 | 20 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 78,000 mi | 72,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 834 | 4 |
| Structure | 436 | 1 |
| Engine | 224 | 12 |
| Electrical System | 163 | 11 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 120 | 7 |
| Power Train | 119 | 6 |
| Suspension | 79 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 67 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 181 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 129 | 0 |
| Stalling | 57 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 52 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 41 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 39 | 0 |
| Overheating | 30 | 0 |
| Water leaks | 28 | 0 |
2013 Ford Explorer
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Mercedes-Benz ML350 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.