Lilburn, Georgia – September 26, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLC300 4MATIC Coupe, GLC300, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, and GLC43 AMG 4MATIC vehicles equipped with LED headlights.
Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2018 GLC-Class (253 platform) vehicles, equipped with LED headlamps, the front turn signal lights may be pink/violet in color.
The recall covers over 4,700 vehicles, with an estimated 10% being subject to the defect. The front turn signals may have an incorrect color of pink or violet, thus failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, although the function of the turn indicators is not affected, legal requirements may not be met. Turn signals that are the wrong color may not be as easily recognized by other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners may notice the unusual color when unlocking or locking their vehicle doors, which can cause the lights to flash.
Timeline of Events
In March 2018 DAG initiated initial investigations based on a single vehicle detected in the production plant, and subsequently, in April 2018, DAG and the headlamp supplier analyzed the exemplar headlamp.
In May 2018 it was determined that a production deviation at the supplier resulted in damaged LED phosphor layers and by June 2018 the supplier had determined the potentially affected batches of headlamps
In July and August 2018 DAG determined the potentially affected vehicles equipped with the suspect headlamps, and in early September 2018 DAG determined that a potential non-compliance of subject vehicles with legal light colors could not be excluded. The recall is voluntary, and the issue was corrected on the manufacturing line for all vehicles produced after the defect was discovered.
The Solution
As a precautionary measure, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will check the color of the turn signal on the affected LED headlamps, and replace the LED module, if necessary.
MBUSA will not provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners since all involved vehicles remain covered under the new vehicle warranty, and the replacement will be done free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin November 9, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Number for this recall is 18V-610.
