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Why do Mercedes-Benz headlights and taillights fail in these recalls?
Mercedes-Benz lighting recalls split cleanly into two camps. On the Sprinter van, the faults are electronic and fixed with software: 2019 Sprinter 1500 through 4500 taillights can dim significantly when the manual light switch is turned quickly between positions, and 2019 VS30 vans with LED rear fog lights may not illuminate them at all even with the switch on. On passenger cars, the problem is the headlights themselves, and the GLC is the repeat offender: 2021 GLC 300 and AMG GLC 43 and 63 models can lose a headlight when water gets past a connection that is not watertight, and 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles left the factory with headlights aimed too high, a federal lighting standard violation.
Warning signs to watch for
- Taillights suddenly much dimmer, or dark, after moving the light switch quickly between positions.
- Rear fog lights stay off on a 2019 Sprinter VS30 even with the rear fog switch turned on.
- One headlight goes out or fails after driving in rain or through water.
- Oncoming drivers flash you at night because your beams sit too high.
- The taillight fault can happen without the driver noticing anything from inside the van.
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall in this group carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction, so you can keep driving all four while you book the repair. Treat the darkness differently, though. The Sprinter taillight recall is the most serious because you can be running dim or dark taillights without knowing it — a rear-end risk at night — so get the software update soon and favor daytime trips until then. The GLC headlight failure and high aim matter mainly after dark or in bad weather; the rear fog light fault only matters in poor visibility.
What the free repair involves
Sprinter lighting recalls are handled with software: dealers update the body control unit software for the taillight brightness fault and update the body controller's software settings for the rear fog lights. On the GLC, the work is physical — technicians inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs as necessary, and inspect and correct headlight adjustment. None of these updates are sent over the air, and all are free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 2 |
| low | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-02 | Mercedes-Benz GLC headlights aimed too high, blinding drivers | medium |
| 2022-04-15 | Mercedes-Benz GLC headlights can fail from water intrusion | medium |
| 2019-08-12 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter taillights can dim or shut off | high |
| 2019-02-22 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rear fog lights may not turn on | low |
Common questions
How would I know if my Sprinter's taillights have gone dim?
You may not. The notice describes brightness dropping significantly after the light switch is turned quickly between positions, which is hard to see from the driver's seat. Have someone check behind the van, and book the software update.
My GLC's headlights work fine. Why is it recalled?
The headlight electrical connection may not be watertight, so failure shows up only once water gets in. The separate aim recall means the beams sit too high and glare at oncoming traffic, which you cannot see from inside.
Can these lighting fixes be done over the air?
No. All four require a dealer visit. The two Sprinter repairs are control unit software updates performed at the dealership; the GLC repairs need hands-on work on the headlights themselves. Both makes' dealers do the work free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.