The report on the recall, which can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, states that the vehicles in question have headlights that were adjusted slightly too high during the manufacturing process. Mercedes-Benz identified a discrepancy in the adjustment tool used at their Bremen plant in Germany.
The affected vehicles for the US market, including the 300, 350 e, and 43 models, all originate from the Bremen plant, which is why their vehicle identification numbers start with the letter W. The headlights that were improperly adjusted exceed the range specified by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 by approximately 0.15 percent. This can result in glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of accidents. Mercedes-Benz began investigating this issue in late 2021 after conducting tests by the IIHS.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave two ratings for headlight performance to the GLC 253-series models from 2020 to 2022. Vehicles equipped with the projector-type headlights of the Exterior Lightning Package received a good rating, while those with the standard reflector-type headlights received a poor rating. The nonprofit organization, based in Arlington, Virginia, found that the low beams created excessive glare and noted inadequate visibility on the left side.
Upon discovering this, Mercedes immediately launched an investigation and determined that the headlights had been adjusted at an angle that exceeded the intended specifications. In January 2022, Mercedes adjusted the calibration process accordingly. As a result, the vehicles being recalled were manufactured between June 30, 2019, and January 19, 2022. However, it remains unclear why the automaker issued a recall for this issue more than two years after resolving the problem during production.
Photo: Mercedes
The simple answer is that further investigations were conducted. In late January 2024, Mercedes-Benz USA concluded that the incorrectly adjusted headlights could slightly exceed the tolerance requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. The American division also identified a single warranty claim filed in October 2021.
Dealers across the country have already been instructed to inspect the adjustment of the affected vehicles and, if necessary, correct it free of charge for customers. Owners who are affected will receive their recall notifications from MB via first-class mail no later than March 1. Out of the total of 15,502 vehicles, 167 of them are GLC 43 models.
Of the 15,333 vehicles, the majority were the 300 version, with only 2 having the plug-in hybrid setup. The GLC 350 e features a 13.5-kWh battery pack that allows for a zero-emission driving range of 22 miles (35 kilometers) in the EPA’s test cycle.
The GLC has been given a new look for the 2023 edition, but unfortunately, it is not yet offered as a plug-in hybrid option in the United States. However, in Europe, the GLC 300 e from the 254-series is available and boasts an impressive electric driving range of up to 130 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. It’s worth noting that the EPA’s testing method tends to be more conservative, estimating a range of around 81 miles on a full charge.
According to the Source autoevolution.com