2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine325.0%
- Electrical216.7%
- Airbags216.7%
- Fuel system216.7%
- Powertrain (other)18.3%
- Suspension18.3%
- Visibility18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Complete engine failure mid driving on highway. NO engine light prior to complete engine failure. Vehicle has been towed to two different Mercedes Benz auto dealerships. Both service directors concur that this should not have occurred with zero warning and low mileage of 64,856 with an impeccable service record at Mercedes Benz Came on suddenly Julie 2026 and no engine warning lights
I have a passenger malfunction with airbags warning coming. I also just experienced getting gas. My milage counted down to zero which it never has before and my engine light came on. I went and got gas 3 times spending around $70 and my gas mileage still says 0 and my engine light is on.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB has a serious, unresolved safety issue involving the hood-latch warning and windshield wipers. While I am driving, the hood-open warning appears and the windshield wipers cut in and out or shut off unexpectedly. This problem was already occurring by March 2026. The vehicle currently has approximately 85,000 miles. During the recent heavy rain in New Jersey, these interruptions have compromised my visibility while the vehicle was moving. When the wipers stop clearing rain, my ability to see traffic, pedestrians, lane markings, and roadway hazards is impaired. This can prevent me from recognizing danger and reacting in time, putting me and other road users at immediate risk of a serious collision. I am concerned that this recurring failure could cause serious injury or death. A Mercedes-Benz dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed an “internal failure of hood switch.” A Mercedes-Benz technician also told me that the windshield-wiper issue was tied to the hood-latch sensor. The switch was subsequently replaced, but the hood warning returned almost immediately after driving only a few feet. The warning and intermittent wiper shutdowns have continued despite that attempted repair. I have submitted a safety complaint to Mercedes-Benz USA requesting urgent attention and a permanent repair. The issue remains unresolved, and I cannot reliably depend on the windshield wipers to maintain visibility during rain. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the hood-latch sensor fault and its interaction with the windshield-wiper controls, including whether an erroneous hood-open signal can disable the wipers while driving and whether other vehicles may be affected. This requires urgent attention because the unexpected loss of an essential visibility function while driving creates a serious danger to me and everyone sharing the road.
Complete engine failure mid driving on highway. NO engine light prior to complete engine failure. Vehicle has been towed to two different Mercedes Benz auto dealerships. Both service directors concur that this should not have occurred with zero warning and low mileage of 64,856 with an impeccable service record at Mercedes Benz Came on suddenly Julie 2026 and no engine warning lights
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have a passenger malfunction with airbags warning coming. I also just experienced getting gas. My milage counted down to zero which it never has before and my engine light came on. I went and got gas 3 times spending around $70 and my gas mileage still says 0 and my engine light is on.
my car has only 24533 miles and Air bag malfunction message is showing up
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTENDED WARRENTY INFORMATION MERCEDEZ BENZ HAS ISSUED WARRENTY TO THAT APPLIE TO CONDISTIONS AS LISTED ABOVE (EXHAUST VALVE, CYLINER HEAD ) BACK 08/04/2023 THE CAR HAS IN MERCEDEZ BENZ AND HAVE FAILED TO PICK ON THE EXTENDED WARRRENTY REPAIRS AND WE NOW FIND OUT THIS CASED MORE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO REPLACE CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . IT'S ALL BECAUSE DEALERSHIP FAILED AND NOTFIY US OF NEEDED REPAIRS . THEY ARE WILL COVER THE REPAIS ON EXHAUST VALVE SYSTEM BUT NOT CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . I FEEL DUE THEIR NEGLIGENCE THEY NEED COVER THIS AS WELL THEY ARE ASKING PAYMENT OF $2879.63 FROM ME
I have a passenger malfunction with airbags warning coming. I also just experienced getting gas. My milage counted down to zero which it never has before and my engine light came on. I went and got gas 3 times spending around $70 and my gas mileage still says 0 and my engine light is on.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTENDED WARRENTY INFORMATION MERCEDEZ BENZ HAS ISSUED WARRENTY TO THAT APPLIE TO CONDISTIONS AS LISTED ABOVE (EXHAUST VALVE, CYLINER HEAD ) BACK 08/04/2023 THE CAR HAS IN MERCEDEZ BENZ AND HAVE FAILED TO PICK ON THE EXTENDED WARRRENTY REPAIRS AND WE NOW FIND OUT THIS CASED MORE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO REPLACE CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . IT'S ALL BECAUSE DEALERSHIP FAILED AND NOTFIY US OF NEEDED REPAIRS . THEY ARE WILL COVER THE REPAIS ON EXHAUST VALVE SYSTEM BUT NOT CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . I FEEL DUE THEIR NEGLIGENCE THEY NEED COVER THIS AS WELL THEY ARE ASKING PAYMENT OF $2879.63 FROM ME
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTENDED WARRENTY INFORMATION MERCEDEZ BENZ HAS ISSUED WARRENTY TO THAT APPLIE TO CONDISTIONS AS LISTED ABOVE (EXHAUST VALVE, CYLINER HEAD ) BACK 08/04/2023 THE CAR HAS IN MERCEDEZ BENZ AND HAVE FAILED TO PICK ON THE EXTENDED WARRRENTY REPAIRS AND WE NOW FIND OUT THIS CASED MORE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO REPLACE CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . IT'S ALL BECAUSE DEALERSHIP FAILED AND NOTFIY US OF NEEDED REPAIRS . THEY ARE WILL COVER THE REPAIS ON EXHAUST VALVE SYSTEM BUT NOT CAMSHAT AND , CONTROL VALVE, ROLLER ROCKER ARM, AND ENGINE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER . I FEEL DUE THEIR NEGLIGENCE THEY NEED COVER THIS AS WELL THEY ARE ASKING PAYMENT OF $2879.63 FROM ME
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB has a serious, unresolved safety issue involving the hood-latch warning and windshield wipers. While I am driving, the hood-open warning appears and the windshield wipers cut in and out or shut off unexpectedly. This problem was already occurring by March 2026. The vehicle currently has approximately 85,000 miles. During the recent heavy rain in New Jersey, these interruptions have compromised my visibility while the vehicle was moving. When the wipers stop clearing rain, my ability to see traffic, pedestrians, lane markings, and roadway hazards is impaired. This can prevent me from recognizing danger and reacting in time, putting me and other road users at immediate risk of a serious collision. I am concerned that this recurring failure could cause serious injury or death. A Mercedes-Benz dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed an “internal failure of hood switch.” A Mercedes-Benz technician also told me that the windshield-wiper issue was tied to the hood-latch sensor. The switch was subsequently replaced, but the hood warning returned almost immediately after driving only a few feet. The warning and intermittent wiper shutdowns have continued despite that attempted repair. I have submitted a safety complaint to Mercedes-Benz USA requesting urgent attention and a permanent repair. The issue remains unresolved, and I cannot reliably depend on the windshield wipers to maintain visibility during rain. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the hood-latch sensor fault and its interaction with the windshield-wiper controls, including whether an erroneous hood-open signal can disable the wipers while driving and whether other vehicles may be affected. This requires urgent attention because the unexpected loss of an essential visibility function while driving creates a serious danger to me and everyone sharing the road.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .