2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Door Lock Recall (26V481)

Recall 26V481 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 in recall 26V481?

Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2026 GLB 250 with recall 26V481?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your GLB 250 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the lock, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V481?

Recall 26V481 covers 310,667 vehicles: 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz A 220; 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz A 220 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG A35; 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45; 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC+; 2024-2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 35; 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35; 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45; 2021-2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35; 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 4MATIC; 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC; 2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300; 2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC; 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250; 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 4MATIC; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 300 4MATIC Cabriolet; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 450 4MATIC; 2024 Mercedes-Benz Cle 450 4MATIC Cabriolet; 2021-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250; 2021-2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC; 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250; 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC; 2023-2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300; 2023-2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC; 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe.

NHTSA lists 310,667 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the GLB 250 door lock recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge.

Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.

When was recall 26V481 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 26V481 to NHTSA on July 24, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 18, 2026.

This recall was filed 2 months ago. If your GLB 250 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my GLB 250 is part of recall 26V481?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V481 is open on your GLB 250, 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 2021-2026 GLB 250 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 GLB 250 owners do about recall 26V481?

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 26V481000 applies to your GLB 250.
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. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any lock 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 GLB 250 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 26V481 was reported (1) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 280 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 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.

• 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 55 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: 29 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 25 complaints in total, 1 about the body, doors and seats
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz C 300: 22 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 21 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: 18 complaints in total, 1 about the body, doors and seats
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: 11 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: 11 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V481000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11766452, filed September 23, 2026

Can recall 26V481 make my GLB 250 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.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Body and latch defects on the 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

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 26V481