Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLB?

Yes, the Encore GX has a clear edge. Federal recall records show 6 recalls for the Encore GX against 30 for the GLB. Owners also file fewer complaints per car sold on the Buick, at 6.4 per 10,000 versus 9.9 for the GLB.

Which has more recalls, the Encore GX or the GLB?

The GLB has far more. Federal records list 30 recalls across its five model years, while the Encore GX has 6 across seven. GLB owners also report open recalls staying unfixed, parts delays, and VINs that fall outside a recall despite the same failure.

What are the most common problems on the Buick Encore GX?

The most common is a false "Shift to Park" warning. The car stays on, chimes sound, the horn honks, and doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles. Brake complaints, including a very stiff pedal, and turbocharger-related power loss also appear.

Do Mercedes-Benz GLB rear spoilers really fall off?

Owners do report it. The rear spoiler above the liftgate detaches at speed or lifts when the liftgate opens, often scratching the roof. Failures cluster between roughly 35,000 and 47,000 miles. Some owners wait a long time for recall parts, and others say their VIN was not covered.

Which Encore GX and GLB model years should I avoid?

Avoid 2020 and 2021 on both, since those are the weakest years for each model. For the GLB, 2022 and 2023 are the strongest. For the Encore GX, 2023 is a safer target. The 2026 Encore GX ranks well but has had little time to collect complaints.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Encore GX

Good

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Good

Shoppers get the more reliable car in the Buick Encore GX over the Mercedes-Benz GLB, with far fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. The GLB's problems run toward engine head failures, loose spoilers, and repeat airbag warnings, which makes it the riskier used buy.

How Do the Buick Encore GX and Mercedes-Benz GLB Generations Compare?

Each model is still in its first generation, so every used example shares one basic design. The Buick began with the 2020 model year and received a facelift for 2024. Its 2020 and 2021 cars are the weakest, and later cars include the refresh. The Mercedes is an X247 design dating to 2019, with US sales starting in 2020 and a facelift listed for 2024. Its 2020 and 2021 cars are also the weakest. For either one, later cars are the safer starting point, though the newest years have had little time to collect complaints.

Verdict

The Buick Encore GX is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLB, scoring 76/100 vs 69/100.

The Buick is the more reliable of the two, and the edge is clear. It has far fewer federal recalls and fewer owner complaints for each vehicle sold. The Mercedes leans toward costly, safety-related failures: cylinder head damage, loose body parts, and recurring airbag warnings. The Buick has serious faults of its own, mainly a shifter warning and brake problems, but its overall record is lighter. The two share the same weakest years, 2020 and 2021, so the gap is not explained by one bad launch year.

Key Differences

1Buick Encore GX has 24 fewer total recalls
2Buick Encore GX scores 7 points higher in reliability
3Buick Encore GX has 3.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Encore GX

—

0Mercedes-Benz GLB

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore GX	Mercedes-Benz GLB
Reliability Score	76/100	69/100
Years Tracked	7	5
Total Recalls	6	30
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.4	9.9
Year Wins	4	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Mercedes-Benz GLB?

A false "Shift to Park" warning is the biggest cluster on the Buick. The car stays on, chimes sound, the horn honks, and doors may not lock. Its brake reports include a very stiff pedal and abrupt stops, and 2 of those complaints are crash-linked. Turbocharger failures and power loss also appear. The Mercedes has more varied, more mechanical trouble. Instrument clusters go blank, rear spoilers fly off, cylinder heads fail, and front axle carriers fail. Its crash-linked area is airbags, with side airbags not deploying in one impact. Owners also describe recall-coverage disputes.

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore GX	Mercedes-Benz GLB
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	1.7Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	1.4Low
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	0.5Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	1.1Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.6Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
EQUIPMENT	0.1Very Low	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore GX	Mercedes-Benz GLB	Edge
2024	77/1001R / 27C	72/1001R / 4C	Buick Encore GX
2023	79/1000R / 23C	74/1000R / 12C	Buick Encore GX
2022	74/1001R / 29C	75/1000R / 13C	Mercedes-Benz GLB
2021	74/1002R / 50C	65/10010R / 30C	Buick Encore GX
2020	70/1002R / 66C	59/10019R / 56C	Buick Encore GX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Encore GX scored 79/100 and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB scored 75/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Buick Encore GX vs the Mercedes-Benz GLB?

Pick the Buick if you want the lower-risk used buy. It has fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. Target 2023, which ranks among its strongest years. The 2026 model also ranks well, but it has had little time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof. Avoid 2020 and 2021. Before you buy, test the shifter in Park several times and check that the car shuts off and locks normally. Also press the brake pedal and look for warning lights. Pick the Mercedes if you need the extra size or the badge and can accept more risk. Target 2022 or 2023, its strongest years, and skip 2020 and 2021. Check that the rear spoiler is solid and has no roof scratches. Ask whether every open recall has been done, since owners report parts delays and VINs left out of recalls. Have the engine inspected before you buy, because head failures are a documented complaint, and confirm that no airbag warning is stored.

Buick Encore GX vs Mercedes-Benz GLB: Common Questions

Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz GLB?: Yes, the Encore GX has a clear edge. Federal recall records show 6 recalls for the Encore GX against 30 for the GLB. Owners also file fewer complaints per car sold on the Buick, at 6.4 per 10,000 versus 9.9 for the GLB.
Which has more recalls, the Encore GX or the GLB?: The GLB has far more. Federal records list 30 recalls across its five model years, while the Encore GX has 6 across seven. GLB owners also report open recalls staying unfixed, parts delays, and VINs that fall outside a recall despite the same failure.
What are the most common problems on the Buick Encore GX?: The most common is a false "Shift to Park" warning. The car stays on, chimes sound, the horn honks, and doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles. Brake complaints, including a very stiff pedal, and turbocharger-related power loss also appear.
Do Mercedes-Benz GLB rear spoilers really fall off?: Owners do report it. The rear spoiler above the liftgate detaches at speed or lifts when the liftgate opens, often scratching the roof. Failures cluster between roughly 35,000 and 47,000 miles. Some owners wait a long time for recall parts, and others say their VIN was not covered.
Which Encore GX and GLB model years should I avoid?: Avoid 2020 and 2021 on both, since those are the weakest years for each model. For the GLB, 2022 and 2023 are the strongest. For the Encore GX, 2023 is a safer target. The 2026 Encore GX ranks well but has had little time to collect complaints.

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How we score the Buick Encore GX and Mercedes-Benz GLB

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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