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Mercedes-Benz GLB 250Model year report

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
30,600miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
11campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4–5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine (7) and electrical system (4). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,600 miles. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 225 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Air bags (1), Brakes (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “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, filed 2026-04

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11721700, filed 2026-03

Electrical system: “Entire electrical system went out while driving causing check engine light to come on after the failure of system; there was no dashboard working at all when the system went out; without the dashboard out it was not certain if the vehicle was safe to drive anymore; the dealer has not been able to reproduce the problem; the vehicle has been with the dealer repair system for several weeks and have not been able to determine what happened; they have indicated that the vehicle had some type of water intrusion which short circuited the electrical system; the believes that the water entered into…”

NHTSA complaint #11551607, filed 2023-10

Suspension: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11701110, filed 2025-11

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,716 and 63,000 miles.

0%0–1033%10–2533%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 30,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220232024202592026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
GLB-Class · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 4554 · 15.9% risk
GLB-Class · SUV FWD★★★★☆5 / 4554 · 17.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
GLB250 FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic233126$3,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 11 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 225 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 225 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20231118,00014–527—Too new
2022112,57514–527—Not enough data
20212930,600114–526Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20205411,82020—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine with 7.

Has the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4–5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 (GLB250, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,600 miles and the middle half falls between 13,716 and 63,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.