Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 74/100 (GOOD)

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB Reliability Report

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB has good reliability and no recalls, but some owners report cylinder head failure and sudden power loss.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

7.2per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$908

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$3,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity69/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity78/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good standing with no recalls and few complaints, though reports of engine misfires, cylinder head failure, and sudden power loss are the main concern.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (3)
ENGINE (3)
SERVICE BRAKES (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2023 is year 4 of the First generation (X247; 2019).

Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2024.
1st generation GLB (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2020: First generation (X247; 2019) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is year 4 of the First generation (X247; 2019).

2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB?

Yes, with some caution. Owner complaints and federal records put this year in good standing. It rates above average among 2023 SUVs and ranks among the stronger of the five scored GLB years. The 2022 and 2024 model years rate about the same, so neither neighbor is a clear upgrade.

The serious problems are in the engine and power delivery. Owners report misfires with a check engine light, hesitation when pulling away from a stop, and cylinder head failure that dealers fix by replacing the head. One case also needed new camshafts. Other owners describe sudden power loss while driving, sometimes with the transmission warning light on. One of those happened around 18,000 miles. A GLB35 AMG owner also reported rough braking that continued after several dealer visits. Federal recall records show no recalls for this year.

Ask for service records that show any engine or cylinder head work, and make sure no misfire codes are stored. One owner reported that Mercedes refused to cover a repair and put engine costs above $20K, so confirm warranty status before you buy.

Compared to the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

−ENGINE: Misfires and cylinder head failure are the pattern here (3 complaints)
−POWER TRAIN: Sudden loss of power while driving is the main concern, often with the... (3 complaints)

Compare 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB With

2023 Cadillac XT4

Reliability: 75/100

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2023 Buick Envision

Reliability: 76/100

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2023 Cadillac XT6

Reliability: 73/100

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2023 Infiniti QX60

Reliability: 72/100

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2023 Buick Encore GX

Reliability: 79/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

POWER TRAIN (3)
ENGINE (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

7.2

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 11.3

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 17.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row, 3rd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, Roof)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Mercedes-Benz GLBRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$908

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

25–27 MPG

Running cost: $3,650–$3,900/yr

Fuel + repair

22–24 city / 30–32 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
GLB250 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM8)	24	32	27	$2,750
GLB250 4matic 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM8)	22	30	25	$3,000

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Scan for stored misfire, injector, and mixture formation codes before buying, even with no check engine light showing.
Ask for service records showing any cylinder head or camshaft work, and get written proof of who paid.
Pull away hard from a full stop several times and note any hesitation or delay before the car moves.
Drive at highway speed and watch for shuddering, sudden power loss, or a transmission warning light.
Confirm the transmission never drops into neutral on its own during a long highway test drive.
Test the brakes repeatedly from moderate speed and reject the car if braking feels uneven or inconsistent.
Inspect the fixed front roof panel closely for cracks, chips, or signs of water entry.
Check the warranty status, since one reported cylinder head failure came soon after coverage ended.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB Common Problems by Component

12 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (3)ENGINE (3)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)SERVICE BRAKES (1)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)Carry Handle (1)VISIBILITY (1)

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

Sudden loss of power while driving is the main concern, often with the transmission warning light on. Other reports describe abnormal shuddering with no warning light, and engine misfire codes that point to the same cylinder head trouble seen under the engine heading. One GLB35 AMG case pairs a failure to accelerate with rough, unreliable braking that persists after several dealer visits. In one report the power loss happens around 18,000 miles, and the car is towed in but not diagnosed or repaired. Losing power or braking at speed carries crash risk.

3 complaints total

ENGINE

3 complaints

Misfires and cylinder head failure are the pattern here. The check engine light comes on with misfire, injector, and mixture formation fault codes, and the car can hesitate to pull away from a stop, which creates a real risk in traffic. Dealers confirm the problem and replace the cylinder head. One case also needs new camshafts because of deep scoring. In one report the failure comes soon after the warranty ends. Mercedes reportedly refuses to cover the repair in another, and one owner reports more than $20K in total engine costs.

3 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Two unrelated problems show up here. The transmission shifts itself into neutral at highway speed, and the report says it happens twice within one month, a clear loss-of-control risk. Separately, the fixed front roof panel cracks, leaving parts near the windshield open to rain. The quoted repair for the roof panel is over $2000. With only 2 complaints in this category, neither issue forms a broad pattern yet, but both are worth checking on any car you look at.

2 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2024-03-20

The front brakes making noise when slow stop , Merced dealer service repair 3 time and replace rotor and brakes, but the problem still making noise. they said nothing he can do. want me to report NHTSA. thanks

VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2025-05-19

I was driving on Highway on May 19th and the Panoramic Sunroof suddenly shattered

Carry Handle (1 complaints)

Carry Handle

1 complaint

2025-05-10

Graco Turn2Me car seat is loosening over time when installed with the vehicle seatbelt and the SnugLock Lock-Off. The vehicle seat belt was also switched to a locked mode after proper installation and did not make a difference over time. The car seat continues to loosen over time to the point where it is moving more than an inch side to side at the belt path. This can cause injury to a child during a crash. Car seat has been installed with the assistance of certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors on multiple occasions.

VISIBILITY (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

2025-06-17

The windshield washer stopped working It doesn’t clean because no water comes out to do the job

Best & Worst Mercedes-Benz GLB Years

Best Mercedes-Benz GLB Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2022

0Recalls

13Complaints

Good

2023

(Current Model)

0Recalls

12Complaints

Good

Mercedes-Benz GLB Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Mercedes-Benz GLB reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2020	59/100	Mixed
2021	65/100	Good
2022	75/100	Good
2023	74/100	Good
2024	72/100	Good

Mercedes-Benz GLB Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2024	72/100	-2	Good	1	4
2023(selected)	74/100	-1	Good	0	12
2022	75/100	+10	Good	0	13
2021	65/100	+6	Good	10	30
2020	59/100	—	Mixed	19	56

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB reliable?

Mostly yes. It has a good reliability standing, rates above average against other 2023 SUVs, and is among the stronger of the five scored GLB years. Owners filed 12 complaints and federal records list no recalls. The risk is a small group of serious engine and power loss reports.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB?

Engine and power train complaints are tied at three each. Engine owners report misfires, fault codes, and cylinder head failure. Power train owners report sudden power loss, sometimes with the transmission warning light on, plus shuddering. Both groups point to the same cylinder head trouble in some reports.

Does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB have cylinder head problems?

Some owners say so. Reports describe a check engine light with misfire, injector, and mixture formation codes, then a dealer replacing the cylinder head. One case also needed new camshafts because of deep scoring. The number of reports is small, but the repair can be costly.

Does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB have any recalls?

No. Federal recall records list zero recalls for this model year. That does not rule out the engine and power loss problems owners describe in their complaints, so ask for service records showing any dealer repairs before you buy.

Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB better than the 2022 or 2024?

Not clearly. Both neighbors also have good reliability and rate about the same. The 2022 has 13 complaints and no recalls. The 2024 has 4 complaints and 1 recall, but it is newer and has had less time to collect complaints.

Don’t buy a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). 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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