Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC May Feature Improperly Routed Brake Hoses

A handful of GLB 35 4MATIC vehicles produced for the 2024 model year have been recalled for a rather worrying issue. As it happens, the rear-axle brake hoses may have been routed incorrectly, allowing the brake hoses to chafe against the rear axle.
 

The resulting brake fluid leak obviously leads to impaired braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash. Mercedes-Benz AG puts the blame on a deviation in the assembly process. In case of a leak, the digital instrument cluster will display a warning message instructing the driver to check the brake fluid level.
 
Mercedes-Benz USA hasn’t received any field reports or warranty claims related to the subject condition. The number of potentially affected vehicles produced for the US market is 16, with said crossovers assembled in the period starting October 17, 2023 and ending November 10, 2023. Dealers have already been instructed to check the routing of the rear hoses.
 
If necessary, dealers will reroute them at no charge to affected customers. Owner notification letters will be mailed by October 8, 2024. Owners can determine if their AMG-ified crossovers are recalled by running the VIN on the automaker’s recall portal.
 
The VIN may start with W for (what used to be West) Germany, but all versions of the GLB for North America come from the COMPAS assembly plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Prospective customers may also want to know that Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC isn’t a true AMG, for its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine wasn’t developed by AMG.
 

M260 is what Mercedes-Benz AG calls the GLB 35-spec lump, whereas M139 is the internal codename for the hand-built engine in the A 45, GLA 45, C 43, SL 43, and so forth. It goes without saying the M139 is a hand-assembled engine. At press time, it’s the world’s most powerful series-production I4.
 
Its punchiest iteration makes 469 horsepower and 402 pound-feet (545 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the M260 in the GLB 35 4MATIC is rated at 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) of torque. 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) takes 5.4 seconds in the GLB 35 4MATIC, which is pretty good for a compact-sized UV with three-row seating.
 
Slotted above the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, the Mercedes-Benz GLB 35 4MATIC isn’t exactly affordable. Prices kick off at $60,100 sans destination and optional extras. The destination charge adds $1,150 to the tally, and you don’t get a heated steering wheel for that kind of money. Insane, alright!
 
The heated steering wheel is doable if you’re prepared to spend $450 for the Winter Package, which further includes heated windshield washers. The $2,150 Exclusive Trim sweetens the deal with Traffic Sign Assist, one year of complimentary navigation map updates, augmented video for the sat-nav system, MB Navigation, AMG illuminated front door sills, and active LED headlamps. The pricier $3,450 Pinnacle Trim builds on the Exclusive Trim with the addition of animated logo projectors, the MBUX Interior Assistant, and an AMG-specific head-up display.