The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to conform with the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." When the low beam headlamps are activated, the xenon lamps are aimed to illuminate the road surface. In the high beam mode the light from the xenon bulbs are redirected and additional halogen bulbs also illuminate when the high beams are activated. When this occurs, the combination of xenon bulb and halogen bulb exceed the permitted light output.
The risk
Drivers in incoming vehicles may experience increased glare from the high beam lighting which could result in the potential for a crash.
The fix
Dealers will modify the aim of the halogen headlamp bulbs in the high beam mode. Owner notification began october 15, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Contacts
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 01V247000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.