Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Mercedes benz glb 250w. The contact stated he opened the tailgate of the vehicle and heard a strange noise when it was shut. The liftgate did not seem shut properly.the contact called the dealer keyes european Mercedes-benz. 5400 van nuys blvd, van nuys, ca 91401 (833) 517-5492 and told them of the issue . The dealer stated that they did not know of the noise issue…
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class body problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 13 body complaints filed for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Body accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2020 GLB-Class report multiple structural attachment failures, with the rear spoiler being the most serious. Five separate complaints document rear spoiler detachment at highway speeds (ranging from 45 mph to 80 mph), with spoilers becoming airborne and forcing other drivers to swerve. One owner experienced complete failure at 12,000 miles accompanied by vehicle shutter; another at 47,000 miles with no warning lights. NHTSA Recall 20V-480 addresses improperly welded rear spoilers on this model, yet several owners whose vehicles exhibit the exact defect described in the recall report that their VINs fall outside the recall's affected range—forcing them to cover repair costs themselves.
Liftgate and tailgate problems appear in multiple reports: liftgate won't close fully, remains improperly seated, or produces strange noises. One owner reported a rear hatch that will not close properly alongside roof gouges caused by spoiler movement during liftgate operation.
Front body trim also failed: one owner's front fender flare partially detached at 75–80 mph on the highway with only 800 miles on the odometer, and another's front bumper trim fell off while driving 65 mph on the highway when the vehicle was just one week old.
Parts availability further complicated the situation. Three owners received recall notifications but found dealers unable to source the necessary parts, with manufacturers exceeding what owners considered a reasonable timeframe for repair completion.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear spoiler detachment during driving
Rear spoiler detaches completely from vehicle while in motion at highway speeds, becoming airborne and creating a road hazard to following vehicles.
When: Variable mileage; incidents reported at 12,000 mi, 35,000 mi, 40,000 mi, 47,000 mi, and at 3:00 p.m. during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Object visible in rearview mirror becoming airborne; Vehicle shutter/vibration before detachment; Complete disappearance of rear spoiler assembly; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Spoiler replacement required; some owners report spoiler was unavailable or repairs not completed. One owner reports dealer re-attached spoiler, leaving three-inch gouges on roof.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V-480 (Structure) issued for improperly welded rear spoilers on 2020 GLB250 models. Some affected VINs excluded from recall. Mercedes-Benz denied responsibility in some cases citing VIN exclusion from recall list; delayed repair due to parts unavailability.
Liftgate/tailgate closure and attachment issues
Liftgate does not close fully or remains improperly seated after opening; associated with strange noises and improper seating.
When: Various mileages; one complaint at 22,000 mi noted rear hatch would not close properly
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate does not raise fully above 10-12 inches; Strange noise when liftgate is shut; Liftgate does not seem shut properly; Rear hatch will not close properly
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused to service under recall 21V231000 and referred owner to legal team. Some liftgate issues occurred in conjunction with spoiler reattachment work.
Rear spoiler loosening during liftgate operation
Rear spoiler becomes loosened and moves when liftgate is opened, causing damage to roof by scratching or gouging.
When: Approximately 40,000 mi
Symptoms owners cite: Spoiler loosens while liftgate is raised; Contact of loosened spoiler with roof; Three-inch gouges on roof from spoiler movement
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired by dealer; dealer attributed issue to external factors
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated failure unrelated to NHTSA Campaign 20V480000 (Structure) despite prior recall service
Front fender flare detachment
Black plastic trim piece (fender flare) around wheel well partially detaches and moves while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds.
When: Early in ownership at approximately 800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front half of driver-side fender flare detaches and flaps in wind; Rear half remains attached; Detachment occurs at 75-80 mph on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Owner temporarily repaired with duct tape; no permanent repair documented
Front bumper trim detachment
Front bumper trim piece falls off during highway driving without warning or prior indication of looseness.
When: Vehicle one week old
Symptoms owners cite: Trim piece falls off while driving at 65 mph on highway; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Sudden loss of part requiring emergency steering
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership offered only a phone number to order replacement; no inspection or repair service provided
Recall parts unavailability
Parts required to complete NHTSA Recall 20V-480 (Structure) remain unavailable for extended periods, preventing owners from having repairs completed.
When: Multiple complaints over extended periods after recall notification received
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer confirms parts not yet available when contact made; Manufacturer exceeds reasonable time frame for repair availability
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs could be completed due to parts shortage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V-480 issued; parts unavailable at dealerships contacted. Owners report manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts availability.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
2020 Mercedes benz glb. Consumer writes in regards to rear spoiler safety recall. *ld the consumer requested to be reimbursed for the safety recall repair that was performed prior to receiving the notice. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-benz glb250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v480000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Mercedes-benz of melbourne (509 e nasa blvd, melbourne, fl 32901; (321) 701-2706) was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-benz glb250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v480000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Mercedes benz of santa rosa (2885 corby ave, santa rosa, ca 95407) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Mercedes benz glb250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v480000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the rear spoiler detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the spoiler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Had body trouble with your 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 31,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Mercedes-Benz/GLB-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.