2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 Body Tailgate Recall (21V231)

Recall 21V231 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 in recall 21V231?

The side spoilers on the tailgate might not have been installed correctly, allowing them to detach.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLB35 AMG, and 2020-2021 GLB250 vehicles. The side spoilers on the tailgate might not have been installed correctly, allowing them to detach.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 AMG GLB35 with recall 21V231?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Detached spoilers can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Detached spoilers can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the tailgate.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V231?

Recall 21V231 covers 5,215 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250.

NHTSA lists 5,215 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the AMG GLB35 body tailgate recall?

Yes. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the side spoilers, free of charge.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the side spoilers, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050009.

When was recall 21V231 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V231 to NHTSA on April 1, 2021.

This recall was filed 66 months ago. If your AMG GLB35 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my AMG GLB35 is part of recall 21V231?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V231 is open on your AMG GLB35, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 AMG GLB35 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should AMG GLB35 owners do about recall 21V231?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V231000 applies to your AMG GLB35.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any tailgate symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are AMG GLB35 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 21V231 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 34 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: 29 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Can recall 21V231 make my AMG GLB35 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this tailgate recall means their AMG GLB35 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V231