There was a recall on headlight leaking and this happened to my left headlight no damage but leaking and this caused headlight to not work
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: headlights failing or too dim
6 of the 70 complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- recalls
- 1
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Water condensation within the driver side headlight which caused the complete headlight unit, control unit, and module to fail. This is a huge safety issue due to unable to operate vehicle safely during the when it comes to making left turns due to no signal indicator and a safety issue/hazard when driving at night. The issue has been inspected with a local dealer and with corporate being aware of the manufacturer defect. There were no indicators nor warning lamps prior to this issue.
The front main light on the driver side stopped working after a rain and it continued getting moister in the head lamp every night until a few days ago and as a result the head light assembly does not work at all ,the same thing is happening on the passenger side front head light assembly except it is still working .research showed that this has been a problem on similar Mercedes Benz cars and considering that the car has not had any accidents to possibly causing this it was concluded that this should have been part of the recalls .car is not operatable and i reached out to Mercedes Benz and they acted like I am out of my mind and it is passed the express warranties with car having 69000 miles. I tried explaining to them about the implied warranty and the safety problem and they continued with the same none sense. at this point The MBZ dealers want over $ 6000.00 to replace the part and I am not able to operate car.what can you do for me and others effected.
Problem (repeat failure / prior warranty replacement): This vehicle has a recurring headlamp defect involving moisture ingress into the headlamp housing/connectors, causing electrical shorting and warning messages, with risk of headlight failure. Mercedes-Benz replaced this same headlamp under warranty in 2021 for the identical issue (moisture/shorting). The defect has recurred on the same vehicle.Recent verification: On Oct 13, 2025, the dealer (Mercedes-Benz of North Palm Beach) observed visible condensation/fogging in the lamp and confirmed it matches the prior failure that was repaired under warranty. Pattern affecting other owners: There are multiple consumer complaints in the federal safety agency’s database describing condensation, moisture intrusion, shorting, and headlamp malfunctions on GLC vehicles, including the 2020 model year. This indicates the issue is not isolated. Related recalls / known condition: the federal safety agency Recall 22V261 (GLC) identifies headlamp moisture/connector sealing problems leading to lighting failure. While my VIN is not currently included, the failure mechanism is the same: moisture → short → potential loss of headlight illumination. There are also GLC lighting recalls addressing exterior lighting malfunctions, underscoring that lighting faults on this platform are safety-relevant. Safety risk: Headlamp moisture/shorting can disable exterior lighting, reduce nighttime visibility, and increase crash risk. This is a repeat, safety-related defect previously repaired by Mercedes-Benz that has returned. Requested action: Please investigate this headlamp moisture/shorting defect on the 2020 GLC as a recurring safety problem, consider expanding applicable recall/remedy coverage, and direct the manufacturer to provide a durable fix and appropriate remedy for affected vehicles.
Entire front right headlight assembly and module failed with no headlight, turn signal, park light etc. There is no visible external damage to the assembly although there is some moisture inside assembly. From internet search, it appears that this is a very common failure. Cost is over $2500 for replacement from local mechanics and over $3300 from Mercedes dealerships with little to no warranty for future failures either.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during a rainstorm, the contact became aware that there was water inside the headlight assembly. Later, the contact stated that while driving at night, the headlamps were not functioning as needed. The contact stated that after a visual inspection, the driver’s and passenger’s side indicators were not functioning. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the headlight assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Instrument cluster message for rear turn signal lamp despite functioning rear lamp
- The message "Device detected at diagnostics connection See Owner’s Manual" appears sporadically in the...
- Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight
- Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 GLC 300, 2020 GLC 350e, and 2020-2022 AMG GLC 43 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment and correct it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 24V070000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
6 of 70 owner complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (9%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300?
There is 1 recall and 15 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
Check engine light 13Misfire 6Stalling 6Engine failure 5Loss of power 5
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