The defect
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 remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CL500 | 2000 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CL500 | 2000 | 6 | 1 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2001
17 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the exterior lighting; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 01V376000 12 Dec 2001 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V364000 3 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V360000 27 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V344000 1 Nov 2001 | FLEETWOOD ENT., INC. |
| 01V336000 31 Oct 2001 | AM GENERAL CORPORATION |
| 01V308000 9 Oct 2001 | NU WA INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V315000 3 Oct 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 01V250000 2 Aug 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001