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Mercedes-Benz Exterior Lighting Recalls: Sprinter Taillights and GLC Headlights
These notices split between 2019 Sprinter lighting controls and GLC headlight problems. On certain Sprinter VS30 vans with LED rear fog lights, the lights may remain off despite the switch being on. Another notice covers certain 2019 Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vehicles whose taillights can dim or switch off when the manual lighting switch is turned quickly between positions. For certain 2021 GLC variants, a headlight electrical connection may not be watertight, allowing headlight failure. Incorrect headlight aim affects certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. Reduced visibility is the recurring consequence.
Warning signs to watch for
- February 22, 2019 Sprinter rear fog-light recall: rear fog lights may not illuminate despite the switch being on.
- VS3HELI, the August 2019 Sprinter taillight recall: taillights may dim significantly or switch off when the lighting switch is turned quickly between positions.
- 2022050005, the April 2022 GLC recall: headlights may fail.
- February 2, 2024 GLC headlight-aim recall: headlights may be aimed too high and create glare for oncoming traffic.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these exterior-lighting notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The February 2019 notice about nonfunctioning LED rear fog lights on certain Sprinter VS30 vans does not tell owners to stop driving. The August 2019 notice about Sprinter taillights dimming or switching off also does not tell owners to stop driving. Neither the April 2022 GLC headlight-connection notice nor the February 2024 GLC headlight-adjustment notice tells owners to stop driving. Those notices contain no stop-driving instruction for their affected vehicles.
What the free repair involves
For the Sprinter rear fog-light recall, dealers update body-controller software settings; for VS3HELI, they update body control unit software. For 2022050005, dealers inspect and replace headlight sealing plugs as necessary. For the February 2024 GLC recall, dealers inspect headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary. Each remedy is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 4 |
Models affected most
Where owners report exterior lighting problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under exterior lighting for the Mercedes-Benz models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Exterior lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2, 2024 | Mercedes-Benz GLC headlights aimed too high | medium |
| Apr 15, 2022 | Mercedes-Benz GLC headlight connection may not be watertight | medium |
| Aug 12, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Taillights May Dim or Turn Off | medium |
| Feb 22, 2019 | Mercedes Sprinter Rear Fog Lights May Not Work | medium |
Common questions
Why can my recalled Sprinter's taillights dim or turn off?
VS3HELI describes taillights becoming significantly dimmer or switching off when the manual lighting switch is turned quickly between positions. It covers certain 2019 Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 vehicles. Dealers update the body control unit software free of charge.
Which GLC models are listed in the headlight-aim recall?
The February 2024 notice lists certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. Their headlights may be adjusted too high. Dealers inspect the adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge.
Does the GLC headlight-connection recall specify new headlight assemblies?
Recall 2022050005 specifies inspection and replacement of the headlight sealing plugs as necessary, free of charge. The notice describes an electrical connection that may not be watertight and could cause headlight failure on certain 2021 GLC variants.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.