2023 GLB rough shifting transmission
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
2023 Mercedes GLB
2023 GLB rough shifting transmission
I bought a 2023 GLB a month ago, 9000 miles, and I absolutely hate the way it drives. The automatic transmission is horrible. My 2003 Honda Odyssey with 220k miles shifts better than the new Mercedes. The Mercedes can't seem to find its gear. It'll randomly high rpm for no reason (especially when going up and down! hills), shifts rough in the lower gears (especially in D3). It has absolutely been the most unpleasant driving experience. Is this normal? I'm so disappointed. Is anyone else having the same experience?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 694
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
It’s a DCT (dual clutch transmission) so it has a different feel from a conventional automatic or a CVT. It will feel a bit more like a manual transmission. But it shouldn’t be rough. And the high RPMs sound like something is not right. Our 2021 with 50k+ miles only shifts between 7 & 8 in the hills and that is almost unnoticeable.
What mode are you driving in? Sport will have higher RPM shift points and may shift more in hilly areas. We stay in Comfort almost exclusively.
What mode are you driving in? Sport will have higher RPM shift points and may shift more in hilly areas. We stay in Comfort almost exclusively.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 490
Likes: 176
2021 Glb35 AMG (2013 GLK 350)
Last 2023 GLB250 loaner was acting similar to yours compared to 2021 GLB250 loaner. One reason might be that your driving style is different from the previous owner. You might also try what is referred to as adaptive gearbox reset so transmission can relearn your driving habits. To reset the adaptive gearbox:
Last edited by Serhan; Dec 28, 2023 at 01:03 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 557
Likes: 204
2021 Mercedes GLB250 4Matic
My transmission is also a bit jerky between 2nd and 3rd gear going up the hill. It's almost like it cannot decide if it wants to stay in 2nd or upshift to 3rd gear. Asked dealer to check it and see if they can update the software, they stated that they plugged laptop and transmission performed within a normal curve.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
2023 Mercedes GLB
It’s a DCT (dual clutch transmission) so it has a different feel from a conventional automatic or a CVT. It will feel a bit more like a manual transmission. But it shouldn’t be rough. And the high RPMs sound like something is not right. Our 2021 with 50k+ miles only shifts between 7 & 8 in the hills and that is almost unnoticeable.
What mode are you driving in? Sport will have higher RPM shift points and may shift more in hilly areas. We stay in Comfort almost exclusively.
What mode are you driving in? Sport will have higher RPM shift points and may shift more in hilly areas. We stay in Comfort almost exclusively.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 694
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Rough idle is out of character. It shouldn't be doing anything after one month of driving that it wasn't doing during the test drive. Both our '21 GLB and our '23 GLA (same engine, same transmission) get more vibration from the HVAC fan on high than from the engine. Maybe you could drop by a local AutoZone and get them to plug in their scanner to see if there are any trouble codes. There can be a fair number of intermittent misfires before the check engine light comes on.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GLB 250
I have glb and not having the issues you have with the transmission.
I had issue with my 2015 c300 and it was under warranty service could not fix the issue and the asssigned as Lemon. I got the money back from the Mercedes. if you think it is serious. contact a lemon law attorney
I had issue with my 2015 c300 and it was under warranty service could not fix the issue and the asssigned as Lemon. I got the money back from the Mercedes. if you think it is serious. contact a lemon law attorney
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
GLB 250
@RVBoots, I totally agree with you and I am equally frustrated and unhappy about the high engine noise as well as very jerky gear shifts.
An automatic car should not shift as if the clutch is deployed, there is almost a 1-2 second delay for the gears to catch when you are trying to accelerate.
Very dissapointed with Merc, I will trade it in for a Lexus one of these days.
An automatic car should not shift as if the clutch is deployed, there is almost a 1-2 second delay for the gears to catch when you are trying to accelerate.
Very dissapointed with Merc, I will trade it in for a Lexus one of these days.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
2023 Mercedes GLB
@RVBoots, I totally agree with you and I am equally frustrated and unhappy about the high engine noise as well as very jerky gear shifts.
An automatic car should not shift as if the clutch is deployed, there is almost a 1-2 second delay for the gears to catch when you are trying to accelerate.
Very dissapointed with Merc, I will trade it in for a Lexus one of these days.
An automatic car should not shift as if the clutch is deployed, there is almost a 1-2 second delay for the gears to catch when you are trying to accelerate.
Very dissapointed with Merc, I will trade it in for a Lexus one of these days.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 694
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
The only Lexus in this price range is the UX and it's smaller than a GLA. Mercedes SUVs and Lexus SUVs don't compare well on a line by line basis as their sizes and prices are staggered about half way between each other's models. There is a Toyota underneath every Lexus, and that's kind of hard to beat from a confidence perspective.
Newbie
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
mercedes glb
Same problem I am facing
I bought a 2023 GLB a month ago, 9000 miles, and I absolutely hate the way it drives. The automatic transmission is horrible. My 2003 Honda Odyssey with 220k miles shifts better than the new Mercedes. The Mercedes can't seem to find its gear. It'll randomly high rpm for no reason (especially when going up and down! hills), shifts rough in the lower gears (especially in D3). It has absolutely been the most unpleasant driving experience. Is this normal? I'm so disappointed. Is anyone else having the same experience?
how did you solve the problem?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Last edited by rachmelb; Jan 5, 2025 at 09:06 AM.
