2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Headlight Recall (22V261)

Recall 22V261 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 in recall 22V261?

The electrical connection for the headlights may not be watertight, which can result in headlight failure.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 4Matic, AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic, and AMG GLC 43 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connection for the headlights may not be watertight, which can result in headlight failure.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 GLC 300 with recall 22V261?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the headlights.

Which vehicles are included in recall 22V261?

Recall 22V261 covers 129 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

NHTSA lists 129 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the GLC 300 headlight recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight sealing plugs, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022050005.

When was recall 22V261 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 22V261 to NHTSA on April 15, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 3, 2022.

This recall was filed 54 months ago. If your GLC 300 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my GLC 300 is part of recall 22V261?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V261 is open on your GLC 300, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 GLC 300 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should GLC 300 owners do about recall 22V261?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V261000 applies to your GLC 300.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the headlights happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are GLC 300 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 14 of them about the lighting and visibility.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 74 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 14 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 66 complaints in total, 13 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43: 6 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 S: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

2021 Mercedes GLC 43 headlight is inoperable. Same as reported in campaign 22V261000: "Headlight failure can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 owner, CO, NHTSA complaint 11689974, filed September 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that there was condensation inside the front passenger’s side headlight housing after it had rained. The contact then stated that while driving at night, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11656755, filed April 25, 2025

I seen a recall for certain 2021 GLC 300 vehicles for moisture in right side headlamp, causing headlamp to blow (go out). This happened on my 2021 GLC 300. Same moisture issue, same year, same model, however, my vin number does not show that it has a recall.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11657172, filed April 28, 2025

Can recall 22V261 make my GLC 300 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 22V261000 does not automatically make your GLC 300 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Lighting and visibility defects, such as headlights that fail, wipers that stop or mirrors that do not work, reduce your ability to see and be seen. They are often electrical, and they often come back.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 22V261