Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Best and Worst Years (2020–2025)
NHTSA data flags the 2020 and 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80 and 20 and 11 recall campaigns. The 2023 model year is the Good pick with an index of 40, while no GLB 250 year reaches a Best verdict.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 6
- 2020–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 109
- Recall campaigns
- 25
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Engine
GLB 250 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 problems and recalls by year
GLB 250 years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Index 100 · 53 complaints · 20 recalls
The 2020 GLB 250 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 53 complaints and 20 recall campaigns. Structure & Body issues lead at 26% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000. Owners also reported electrical system problems near 1,500 miles, engine issues around 4,750 miles, and suspension complaints near 22,300 miles. Sample complaints describe loss of steering control, front axle fracture, curtain airbag malfunctions, and a fender flare detaching at highway speed. NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 3 injuries for this year.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Index 80 · 29 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2021 GLB 250 carries a complaint index of 80, the second worst for this model, with 29 complaints and 11 recall campaigns. Engine problems top the list at 24% of complaints. Suspension issues had a median failure mileage of 30,600, and Structure & Body issues showed a median of 63,000 miles. Owners reported delayed recall repairs for a back-over prevention camera issue, a horn that honked randomly while driving, and a windshield crack appearing near interior sensors. No crashes or injuries were recorded for this year.
Most common Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Other29 (27%)
- Engine24 (22%)
- Structure & Body19 (17%)
- Electrical System18 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (10%)
- Fuel System9 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (7%)
- Brakes6 (6%)
- Steering6 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2020 and 2021 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80 and 20 and 11 recall campaigns respectively.
- Is there a best year for the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250?
- No year earns a Best verdict. The 2023 model year is rated Good with a complaint index of 40, the lowest among years with enough data.
- Is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 reliable?
- The 2022 GLB 250 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, 11 complaints, and 1 recall campaign, with Collision Avoidance & Cameras as the top reported problem area.
- How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 have overall?
- Across the 2020-2025 model years, NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns and 109 total owner complaints for the GLB 250.
- What is the most common problem area for the GLB 250?
- Across all years, Engine issues account for 22% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body and Electrical System issues, each at 17%.