Tailgate Opens 3/4" and Stops.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 358
Likes: 51
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
Tailgate Opens 3/4" and Stops.....
Has this happened to anyone?
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 708
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Has this happened to anyone?
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
You probably know this if it’s not new to you, but if you stop the hatch with any of the buttons on the door, hatch, or remote, the door will remember that and always stop there. We have ours set about 6 inches short of full open to avoid the overhead door when in the garage.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 358
Likes: 51
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
When the hatch encounters an obstruction it stops. It doesn’t take much force to stop it, so if the lift cylinders are getting weak, that coild be the issue.
You probably know this if it’s not new to you, but if you stop the hatch with any of the buttons on the door, hatch, or remote, the door will remember that and always stop there. We have ours set about 6 inches short of full open to avoid the overhead door when in the garage.
You probably know this if it’s not new to you, but if you stop the hatch with any of the buttons on the door, hatch, or remote, the door will remember that and always stop there. We have ours set about 6 inches short of full open to avoid the overhead door when in the garage.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
Has this happened to anyone?
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
Our 2021 GLB 250 just started doing this. You hear it fine when pulling the switch from inside and then it stop after 3/4". Then I have to go outside and manually open it.
Same happens when I try to open the hatch from the back.
From outside though when I press on the close or lock buttons it works fine and shuts.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 358
Likes: 51
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
OK I replaced the shocks/motor. FIXED.
Pretty pathetic if you ask me a premier brand like MB to have these fail within 5 years. My 16 year old ML still has the original ones. Aliexpress $200. MB OEM about $1K.
And replacing them is really a PITA. You have to take off all the rear interior pieces. And then a lot of fishing through the connectors and wires. I have cuts on my hands all over them.
Everything works inside and out with one exception.
And I truly can't recall if that's how it was before as this is my wife's ride and I barely drive it. When I open it from the inside it opens all the way with one pull of the button. But when I want to close it a one touch just moves the tailgate a smudge down. To completely close it I have to push on the button till it completely closes. Is that how it works for you guys?
Pretty pathetic if you ask me a premier brand like MB to have these fail within 5 years. My 16 year old ML still has the original ones. Aliexpress $200. MB OEM about $1K.
And replacing them is really a PITA. You have to take off all the rear interior pieces. And then a lot of fishing through the connectors and wires. I have cuts on my hands all over them.
Everything works inside and out with one exception.
And I truly can't recall if that's how it was before as this is my wife's ride and I barely drive it. When I open it from the inside it opens all the way with one pull of the button. But when I want to close it a one touch just moves the tailgate a smudge down. To completely close it I have to push on the button till it completely closes. Is that how it works for you guys?
Last edited by OUZO Power; Jun 13, 2026 at 03:32 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,388
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Good to hear that the new gas struts fixed the rear gate opening problem. Our ‘21 GLB250 doesn’t seem to be weak at this point and the gate gets used maybe 5-10 times a day. It carries kids, dogs, and cargo.
At 100k miles, I don’t see any reason not to use aftermarket parts on non-safety related body components. And MBs built like your ML disappeared around 2014-2015 — look under the hoods — the ML has 2 gas struts, the GLB has one — cost savings throughout. I still haven’t gotten over the fact that MB chose to test an unproven engine design on their customers. But it’s not all bad, either.
On my ‘23 GLA250 I have to hold the door button to close, but it closes all the way with either of the buttons on the gate. If my wife’s ‘21 GLB work differently, I will post it when I get a chance to check it out.
At 100k miles, I don’t see any reason not to use aftermarket parts on non-safety related body components. And MBs built like your ML disappeared around 2014-2015 — look under the hoods — the ML has 2 gas struts, the GLB has one — cost savings throughout. I still haven’t gotten over the fact that MB chose to test an unproven engine design on their customers. But it’s not all bad, either.
On my ‘23 GLA250 I have to hold the door button to close, but it closes all the way with either of the buttons on the gate. If my wife’s ‘21 GLB work differently, I will post it when I get a chance to check it out.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 358
Likes: 51
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
Good to hear that the new gas struts fixed the rear gate opening problem. Our ‘21 GLB250 doesn’t seem to be weak at this point and the gate gets used maybe 5-10 times a day. It carries kids, dogs, and cargo.
At 100k miles, I don’t see any reason not to use aftermarket parts on non-safety related body components. And MBs built like your ML disappeared around 2014-2015 — look under the hoods — the ML has 2 gas struts, the GLB has one — cost savings throughout. I still haven’t gotten over the fact that MB chose to test an unproven engine design on their customers. But it’s not all bad, either.
On my ‘23 GLA250 I have to hold the door button to close, but it closes all the way with either of the buttons on the gate. If my wife’s ‘21 GLB work differently, I will post it when I get a chance to check it out.
At 100k miles, I don’t see any reason not to use aftermarket parts on non-safety related body components. And MBs built like your ML disappeared around 2014-2015 — look under the hoods — the ML has 2 gas struts, the GLB has one — cost savings throughout. I still haven’t gotten over the fact that MB chose to test an unproven engine design on their customers. But it’s not all bad, either.
On my ‘23 GLA250 I have to hold the door button to close, but it closes all the way with either of the buttons on the gate. If my wife’s ‘21 GLB work differently, I will post it when I get a chance to check it out.
I asked my wife. She confirmed what you say about your GLA. You have to hold down the interior button for it to close. So everything working as intended.
