2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35. The contact stated that while reversing down the driveway at approximately 4 MPH, the contact turned the steering wheel to the left and the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the RPMs were extremely high and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred at slower speeds between 3 and 6 MPH. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side front axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to a manufacturer's recall for replacing the front axle integral carrier. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's recall selection. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11667631

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

Mileage

55,000 mi

On 4/13/25 while driving my car on the highway, along with my 2 young children, I began to hear what initally sounded like a "flapping" noise. I rolled the windows down and after a minute or 2 the sound got lounder. There was never a warning or any type of safety icon that appeared on the control panel, nor any driving performance issue before hand. Shortly after the initial noise I could tell the car was struggling to accelerate. I wasn't near an exit during this time and began to panic in fear the car would shut down and I had no safe place to pull over on that stretch of highway. The noise turned into a banging within another min or so and I finally noticed an exit up ahead. Almost immediately as I excited the highway, the car completely shut down with me having practically no control of the steering wheel and unable to put the car into neutral. I coasted to the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp. The car would not restart after 2 attempts, I stepped out to see a massive amount of oil coming from under the car. The car recently had the 4th cylinder head replaced in Jan 2025 and was in the shop for almost 1 month. I was assured the engine was safe to drive after that repair. It has remained unserviced at the dealership since 4/13/25 and was informed it has catastrophic engine failure due to a thrown rod with Cylinder 2 being the "source of the failure." The dealership has quoted a $28k+ repair bill and Mercedes corporate has refused to replace it with a "goodwill" gesture. Only offering $1,500 toward repairs and no reimbursement for any of the 4 rental cars Ive obtained since my vehicle has been inoperable. I was not informed at the time of my purchase about any defects on the M260 engines faulty cylinder head & Mercedes extending a warrenty due to such. They are refusing to accept liability for the cacade of damage & ultimate engine failure steming from now cylinder 2. This event risked the lives of my children's and myself due to Mercedes negligence.

NHTSA ID

11660562

Incident

Apr 13, 2025

The contact owned a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB35. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced months before the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ID

11638919

Incident

Jan 16, 2025

Mileage

52,000 mi

I was driving home on a residential street at approximately 30 MPH. I heard a loud pop or bang sound coming from the top middle area of my windshield. I checked for any windshield damage, observed none. I thought the whole noise strange as nothing had hit my car or windshield. A couple days later I noticed that the glass panel between the windshield and sunroof, was completely shattered, with a horizontal crack running across the panel. I also noticed that the framing between the panel and windshield was not right. It sort of was "popped" outward. There was no warning regarding this failure. I had hand washed the vehicle 3 days prior and everything looked fine. I have had conversations with my local dealer regarding this issue and so far, am getting considerable push back, that this is my problem. Even though this problem seems very similar to the once experienced by the MB 2017-2020 C class, where this panel failed, and the sunroofs blew off. I am taking the car in to the dealer today for them to look at.

NHTSA ID

11516008

Incident

Apr 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35. The contact stated he became aware that 3 out of 4 of the wheel-hub caps were missing. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V800000 (Wheels) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. Consumer is still waiting for trim replacement.

NHTSA ID

11440675

Incident

Nov 7, 2021

Mileage

22,000 mi

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167, 465: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2-3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.

Complaint Hand detection system – malfunction / vehicles with code 266 Fault message in instrument cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available" "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" "Active steering assist not available" Cause Possible causes: Hand detection mat, hand detection control unit, contacts, and electrical feed line. Remedy In the event of a customer complaint and fault code in IDC control unit: U186B29 in IDC223 or fault code U0429E0, U042941, U042929, U042902, U0429E1 in IDC213 or fault code in HOSWD control unit: B1E7614 Check: Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. Please flash the new SW and perform the SCN coding for the HOSWD control unit (N179/1) (available from July 2026). The software can be flashed onto all HOSWD213 with HW number A0009011522 and all HOSWD223 with HW number A0009011422. Please also flash the SW for the IDC control unit (N62/4), if possible (only applies to HOSWD223). Erase fault memory Remedy: Turn on the ignition or start the engine without touching the steering wheel. If, after 10 seconds without touching the steering wheel, one of the three fault messages appears on the instrument cluster: Check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, crimp connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage -> replace the steering wheel rim. If a yellow message does not appear on the instrument cluster within 10 seconds: Grasp the steering wheel fully with both hands, including the chrome molding at the 6 o'clock position (see picture 1). If the fault is triggered by grasping the steering wheel rim or pressing the clip at the 6 o'clock position, check the contacts and feed lines in the steering wheel by means of a visual inspection for damage, kinked connections, loose connections, etc. (example in picture 2 and 3). Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). If there is visible damage -> replace the steering wheel electronics or the feed lines. If there is not any visible damage: Replace the steering wheel rim. Please do not replace the HOSWD control unit. A TIPS case should be created if fault profile is unclear. In the event of a customer complaint and a further fault code in HOSWD: B1E7713: Check the ground connections (screw connections and cables to the steering wheel rim); if necessary, retighten the screws/bolts and check for corrosion (picture 4). B1F1F04: Check the control unit of the hand detection system; if necessary, replace this with the control unit from a donor vehicle (make sure that the hardware part numbers are identical).

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. The E505.9 software is released and available in XENTRY Q3 2026.

Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 465, 290, 118, 243, 247: Software is still in development. This fault code does not cause a drivability concern and will clear itself within 2-3 key cycles. The vehicle can be released back to the customer.