28 of the
159 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz GLB 250
are about the other systems —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2020.
Family and I were driving on the interstate and heard a loud bang (like a shotgun) followed by immediate glass everywhere. The panoramic sunroof exploded. We had to drive 4 hours like this - lucky we didn’t jerk the wheel on the interstate with the noise. Absolutely sickening that this is so prevalent and Mercedes won’t do anything about it.
NHTSA complaint #11734501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reporting because I see reports on other searches of this happening on other Mercedes Benz various years and models, the front stationary roof panel has shattered, cracked. I was lucky, my vehicle is only cracked (leaving my windshield components open to the weather , ie rain in Washington). Others report shattering while driving and having injuries from blowing glass. This appears to be an ongoing problem with Mercedes, they want over $2000 to fix a common problem with their vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11733638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving on the highway going 65mph the car slipped in neutral and error showed on dashboard "transmission malfunction stop." I could steer and break, but not accelerate. Pulling over on side of highway, I was able to put in park and then drive. I pulled off the exit and the car did the same thing within 10 mins. Car was towed to Mercedes dealership in Warwick, RI. I was made aware after inspection that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle nor the transmission, but rather there was a needed software update that was causing the issue that had been identified previously. Regular service was due, but no indication whatsoever of the error I saw nor any other error codes. No error showed up for the technicians in inspecting the car. I was further informed, after research, that the software update was being drafted and that it would have to pass NHTSA governance. So I'd like to know if this is accurate? If NHTSA is aware? If the software update is sitting with you for approval? What is Mercedes obligation to share this with drivers noting they were aware of issue? If my [XXX] was driving she could have been killed. If I was accelerating on the highway or turning in front of a vehicle legally, I could have been killed. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11727263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When my car sits in the rain for long periods of time, while driving, it will automatically switch into neutral and give me a "transmission malfunction stop" & "service required do not shift gears visit dealer" sign on the dash. This has happened at least 7 times in 2 years since March 2024. The latest time it happened was last week. I will get into my car after a day at work, when it has been raining, drive a few miles and the car will switch into neutral and display those signs. This is incredibly dangerous for my safety as the driver, any passengers and any other cars on the road. While going 55+ miles an hour, my car, without any warning shifts into neutral. I have taken it to my local dealership for inspection every time that it happens and they have repeatedly told me they cannot find a fix for it and do not know why it is happening besides a electrical problem due to water. They advised me to file a claim with corporate Mercedes but that was denied. I have photos and documentation from the dealership of when I have brought it in for inspection and they have confirmed the issue. They will not help with a solution for this problem. They have told me to pull over, turn the car on and back off to get it to go away but it continues to do the same repeated problem.
NHTSA complaint #11721700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component that appears to have malfunctioned is the front axle integral carrier (front subframe) and the related front suspension geometry, as the vehicle now exhibits a persistent pull to the left and degraded steering stability after the dealer replaced the front lower control arms, engine mounts, and performed alignments; this area of the vehicle is fully available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle requires constant steering correction to avoid drifting left, creating a danger of unintended lane departure and loss of control, which aligns with the steering‑related risks described in NHTSA Recall 21V990 / MBUSA 2022070009, where failure of the integral carrier can impair steering and increase crash risk. The problem has been reproduced by me on every drive, though the dealer stated they “did not find anything,” despite alignment printouts showing front camber imbalance and lack of caster correction. The vehicle has been inspected twice by the authorized Mercedes‑Benz dealer, but they did not inspect or address the front axle integral carrier even though the recall documentation shows that corrosion or structural issues in this part can affect steering performance and connection to other components. There were no warning lamps or dashboard alerts; the symptoms began immediately after the dealer’s suspension and mount repairs, and the steering pull and unstable handling have continued ever since.
NHTSA complaint #11719310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escalating Safety Concern – Loud Clunking, Thumping, and Cracking from Front Axle at Low Speeds We are long-time loyal customers and currently own four identical Mercedes-Benz models. Unfortunately, one of our vehicles, a 2021 mb glb250 has recently developed severe clunking, thumping, and loud cracking noises originating from the front axle area, noticeable especially at low speeds. The problem appeared suddenly and is rapidly worsening. After researching the issue, we’ve discovered that many owners of the exact same model and model year report identical symptoms. This appears to be a widespread and recurring problem that raises serious safety concerns, particularly as it affects the front axle and is uncommon in other modern vehicles of this class and young age. Given the potential safety implications and the growing number of affected owners, we respectfully request that Mercedes-Benz investigate this issue promptly, acknowledge it as a known concern, and provide an appropriate inspection and repair at no cost to us. We love the brand and have always trusted its engineering and safety standards, which makes this experience especially distressing. We would greatly appreciate your immediate attention and a clear response on next steps.
NHTSA complaint #11701110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, the panoramic moonroof on my 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 (VIN: [XXX] ) suddenly shattered without any visible impact or prior damage. It sounded like an explosion, and glass rained down into the vehicle. This could have caused serious injury to myself or my child. There was no indication that a rock or debris hit the vehicle. No vehicles were in front of me, and I have no history of impact damage. This seems to have happened spontaneously, and after researching the issue, I found it is a common problem across various Mercedes-Benz models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11684397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Graco Turn2Me car seat is loosening over time when installed with the vehicle seatbelt and the SnugLock Lock-Off. The vehicle seat belt was also switched to a locked mode after proper installation and did not make a difference over time. The car seat continues to loosen over time to the point where it is moving more than an inch side to side at the belt path. This can cause injury to a child during a crash. Car seat has been installed with the assistance of certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors on multiple occasions.
NHTSA complaint #11672721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jerking and loud noise from the engine after attempting to accelerate from a red light stop. Vehicle is idling very roughly and almost sounds like a diesel engine. Check engine light came on. Inspection at the dealership found multiple faults for camshaft positions deviating from the specified value. When the oil filter was removed, the shop reported finding some metal particles in the oil. The conclusion was that a mechanical fault caused a metal part in the engine to brake and clog up the engine. The car did not run smoothly after the jerking sound and could have caused an accident if the car was in active motion. The recommendation now is that the engine needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11665355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Transmission Problem Vehicle Rolls backwards when the gear / transmission is in "Drive". It happens in these two situations: a) I am stopped at a Traffic Light which is Red. The road is at a moderate upward incline. When the Light turns Green, and I move my foot from the Break pedal to the Accelerator to move forward, the GLB rolls backwards even though the transmission is, and has been, in "Drive". b) I am backing out of my garage. Our driveway is at a moderate Backward / Downward Decline. As I reach the point where I shift the gear into "Drive", the car still continues to roll backwards. This is despite the fact that I had to depress the Brake pedal to place the vehicle in Drive. c) I have checked the settings and confirmed that the transmission is NOT in manual mode. The problem is happening when the Transmission is in automatic mode. I have been cautious and prevented an accident over the last 6 months that I have owned this car. ___________________________________ 2. Cruise Control: This is a situation is that I am driving, and I have the Cruise Control "On". I encounter the traffic to be slowing, so I push the "Cancel" button for the Cruise Control in the left bar of the steering wheel. As I manipulate the wheel to make a left turn, the "Resume" button, also in the left bar of the steering wheel, gets touched without my realization. The GLB zooms ahead violently! This is dangerous and unexpected acceleration. A corollary to this malady is that the radio suddenly blasts loud as I manipulate the steering wheel to make a right turn. The radio volume button in the bar of the steering wheel gets touched without my realization. This is dangerous. It can make the Driver jump and react suddenly to the unexpected loud noise. I REPORTED THESE 2 PROBLEMS TO MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA THROUGH THE WEBSITE IN DETAIL AS ABOVE ON DEC 9, 2024 THE SITE PROMISES A RESPONSE IN 24 HOURS. I HAVE NO RESPONSE
NHTSA complaint #11634342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
this car really has a lot of issues and honestly if I didn’t know what to do last night and didn’t know about cars, it could have seriously cost me my life but luckily I was able to move out the way of a truck that was coming fast behind me while I was at a traffic light and when the light turned green the car would not start back up from the automatic stop when you make stops and because the auto shut off never came back on and I had to literally make a split second decision and put it in park and start up again and go quick. The check engine light has been on since July 14,2024 and I bought the car on July 13,2024 and the dealership has not done anything about this issues and this morning these are all the codes that came up and there’s a lot of codes and Mercedes hasn’t called me back even after the calls and emails I’ve sent them, no one is calling me back.
NHTSA complaint #11607732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Power Liftgate (via key fob – SmartKey). Mercedes GLB250. Was told by Mercedes employees that all cars operate the same. oSensor that automatically stops liftgate if it detects an obstruction does not retract to allow someone reaching in the trunk to safely exit the trunk. oThe liftgate stops, but it does not do so until it has hit/touched the objection or obstruction. oWhen you press the trunk button on the key fob, the liftgate only raises slightly (maybe 2 inches). oIf you press the key fob again, the liftgate just continues to go up and down within those few inches and continues to hit/touch the object/obstruction each time you press the button. Half of my body was trapped in the trunk. Suffered injury to shoulder and hand. oI was taking grocery bags out of the trunk and had the key fob in my pocket. oAn item fell out of the bag so I reached into the trunk to grab it. oAs I leaned in, the body of the car must have come into contact with the key fob and the trunk came down (closed). oI did not have time to exit the trunk and ½ of my body became trapped in the trunk. oI had just enough space to move my right hand to take the key out of my pocket. oI pressed the trunk button, but the liftgate did not fully retract. It went up slightly and came back down hitting/touching my body. oI did not have enough room to get out of the trunk. oI was in a garage where no one could hear me scream for help. oI had to push up with my left hand and use excessive force with my back and right shoulder to lift the heavy trunk. Mercedes inspected the car and said nothing is wrong. Letter provided. oSeveral Mercedes employees at the dealership were present when I demonstrated the issue. They had no explanation. oSales manager stated that he tested the trunk (cars located at the dealership) and they do retract but understood my concerns as it only retracts slightly. oNo one seems to understand that serious risk this possesses, unless they were to be trapped i
NHTSA complaint #11597573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since the beginning of the vehicle purchase, we heard fine metal rattling sound on the front driver side tire. Had it checked with the dealer and they recommended no repair. Now driven about 35K miles and started very loud metal scratching sound when wheels turned to right. Inspection showed bent brake cover that was wearing tire uneven. Dealer claims that we went over a large bump that bent the brake cover but no such thing happened and this location is where we have been hearing this fine rattling since buying new. Raising a possibility that the manufacturing and securing process of parts around this area was not done fully and eventually cause inappropriate contact induced brake covering damage and tire wear.
NHTSA complaint #11564012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parked the car not far from home, when my boyfriend got out and shut the door, the sunroof completely imploded. Tempered yet sharp shards were everywhere including my mouth, hair and body. MB took no responsibility and wound even have the car towed. Roof was repaired via my car insurance including private towing. MB wanted nothing to do with me. I do know that this has been a serious problem all over the country for some time. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11562442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My fuel tank cover would not open. Car was under warranty so MB was able to replace the motor of the fuel cap release. Problem, there is no manual release for the fuel cap so if you are low on fuel and need to fill up, you would be stranded. They need a manual release for the fuel cap for safety.
NHTSA complaint #11552670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has 29,000 miles and I took it on a two day trip across part of the country. It was driven hard but had a oil change before leaving. After arriving home it started to sputter and have no "energy". I had the cabin filter and engine filter changed and another oil change just in case. took it to deal as it continued to sputter, even worse, jerk forward. It blew a cylinder head. Checking the internet I find that this is a usual problem with this year and model car. Why isn't it in the recall if a lot of this model has this problem?
NHTSA complaint #11520946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gap between frame and windshield causing unbearable squealing noise when driving above 75 mph. Unable to hear exterior surroundings and the squealing is causing aggravation to the ear drums of all passengers. Video provided to Mercedes dealer technician and issue has been inspected and confirmed by dealer. I am the 2nd owner of the vehicle and it was purchased around October/November 2022. The issue was noticed during a road trip from Jacksonville to Orlando, FL in December of 2022. There are no warning lamps or messages. However, there appeared to be a minor leak when the heat was turned on but that was not addressed when viewed by the technician. Currently, a timeframe has not been provided by Mercedes when a new windshield will be available from Germany. So at this time, I am still driving the vehicle enduring the noise since that is my only means of transportation.
NHTSA complaint #11506975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car has a recall from May 2021, I purchased my car Oct 2022. When asked about the recall the finance manger at Mercedes Benz of South San Francisco, Rapheal Chin stated it was no open recalls on the car. When I pointed out the repair order didn’t match the car fax, it was explained by the salesman that it was completed. But NHTSA says that it was not fixed. When trying to get it fixed my car sat at the dealership for 8 days with no understanding of how to fix my car. This is clear neglect on the manufacturer and is causing me grief! My car says no updates needed, my Mercedes Benz Me App, says no updates needed but yet this recall is still open over a year later. I’ve called customer care 12 times in one day with no help. It seems as though no one throughout the Mercedes Benz company can assist me.
NHTSA complaint #11506576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.