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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 61 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2026

Headlight is defective and is filled with condensation which has caused the entire light to fail. The problem has been confirmed by a independent service center. The light has not been inspected by a manufacturer however the manufacturer was contacted and denied that a recall exists however other purchasers have reported the same issue. There have been no apparent issues prior to this problem.

NHTSA ID
11724095
Incident
Dec 31, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that the passenger’s side headlight was developing fog, causing the light to be dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V261000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.

NHTSA ID
11710686
Incident
Jan 9, 2026
Mileage
41,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 21, 2025

The headlights stopped working due to water entering the assembly unit. First one side went out and then eventually the other side went out. The car was brought in to the dealership to fix and they stated it wasn’t covered. I’m recently learning about a recall of this issue with my type of car and I’m being told that my vehicle is not included in the recall.

NHTSA ID
11682064
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jul 18, 2025

Have been getting condensate inside vehicle headlights inwhich have cause the headlight to completely not work anymore.. There is no damage to headlight which means to be cause due to a problem with the seal. Checked with local and also statewide Mercedes advisors which was told there isn’t a recall for my vehicle inwhich I looked online and found an recall for vehicles just like the one I have.. Recall number 22V261000-Recall Date 04-14-2022. I’m asking for my vehicle to be inspected and repaired free of charge . Thanks and sorry for the bother - Can’t drive vehicle at night due to headlight malfunction and it’s very unsafe for me and kids and family

NHTSA ID
11674539
Incident
May 7, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 28, 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. I believe this safety issue needs to be expanded to include my vehicle. Same issue, same year, same make and same model

NHTSA ID
11657172
Incident
Mar 20, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 25, 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. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V261000 (Exterior Lighting); and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,700.

NHTSA ID
11656755
Incident
Mar 28, 2025
Mileage
92,700 mi
EngineFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Mar 3, 2025

High beam can't auto dim Fuel pump fail to operate, misfires, and shut down while driving

NHTSA ID
11646060
Incident
Dec 2, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 24, 2024

My vehicle suddenly starting getting moisture in the passenger side head light.Many people brought this my attention.After some time of moisture the head light begin to flicker on and off while I was driving.Then it just went out and stopped working.Eventually I took it to the dealer and they informed me that my vehicle didn't have a recall for this issue.As I search the Internet I found that lots of other customers experienced this same exact issue.I called Mercedes USA and they informed me to present the issue to you all. Thank You in advance for reviewing my concern.

NHTSA ID
11627113
Incident
Aug 15, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2024

My headlight is absorbing moisture & causing my light to have a shortage.

NHTSA ID
11626183
Incident
Nov 14, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 22, 2024

Vehicle left/front headlight has water condensation and entire headlight doesn't work. Its pretty much not drivable. I brought the vehicle to a manufacturer dealership and they claim that the failure of the headlight is due to physical impact to the exterior of head light. There is a minor scratch barely visible and no cracks or physical damage to the headlight or seal, or car or that matter. When I asked if they performed an inspection due to a recall associated with the headlight (recall # 2022050005), they confirmed that they did not inspect for this issue since my VIN # didn't reflect this recall. They said since the recall wasn't associated with this VIN that the manufacturer would not cover as part of warranty and gave me an estimate of nearly $4,000. It seems very coincidental that my car is experiencing the same issue as noted on the recall report but because there is a small scratch in the headlight, the manufacturer dealership will not be able to move forward with a warranty claim even though they didn't fully inspect the issue based on the recall. In addition, my car was having notifications go off for the right/front headlight and there are NO scratches. Still no inspection was made. I was told by Mercedes Corp Customer Care to report this so my VIN can be associated with the recall. PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ID
11567054
Incident
Jan 22, 2024

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .