Recall 14V177 covers 252,867 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, C350, and C63 vehicles for tail-light failure. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 252,867 2008-2011 C300, C350, and C63 vehicles because a poor electrical ground connection can cause the tail lights to dim or fail. Failed tail lights reduce warning to other drivers when the vehicle stops or turns, increasing crash risk; the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The tail lights on 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C350, C300, and C63 vehicles are the rear lamps that make the car visible to drivers behind you. They use the vehicle's electrical system to power the rear lighting, and the circuit needs a sound ground connection to complete the path for current.
In affected vehicles, that ground connection is poor. When the ground does not carry current correctly, the tail light circuit cannot supply steady power to the lamps. The result is tail lights that dim or stop working, which makes the rear of the car harder for other drivers to see.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the tail lights looking dim, flickering, or not lighting when they should.
Who's affected?
Spans the C300, C350, and C63 across the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, all tied to tail lights.
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 | Tail lights |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Tail lights |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 | Tail lights |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Tail lights |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Tail lights |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Tail lights |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 | Tail lights |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 | Tail lights |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C63 | Tail lights |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 | Tail lights |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 | Tail lights |
| Units affected | 252,867 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Dim or failed tail lights make it harder for other drivers to see when you are stopping or turning, which increases crash risk. Use extra care around traffic and schedule the recall repair soon if a tail light looks dim or stops working. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C350, C300, or C63 is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Mercedes-Benz owner notice if you have not received one, then use the VIN result when you call the dealer.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask whether the free bulb-holder and connector repair is open for your vehicle.
- Reference recall number 14V177 when you call, and ask the dealer to check for corroded tail-light connectors.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, and describe any tail-light dimming or failure before the dealer inspects the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician checks whether the bulb holders have already been updated. If they have not, the technician replaces the bulb holders and replaces any corroded connectors tied to the tail light ground issue. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 14V177. The remedy text does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the visit will take when you schedule the appointment.
Timeline
| April 11, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V177?
Recall 14V177 covers 252,867 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C350, C300, and C63 vehicles with tail light bulb holder or connector problems. A poor electrical ground connection can dim the tail lights or make them fail, which reduces warning to drivers behind you.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C350, C300, or C63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V177. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the tail light recall repair. Reference recall number 14V177 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the bulb holders if they were not previously updated and replace corroded connectors free of charge.
What is the safety risk from the Mercedes-Benz tail light recall?
The safety risk is reduced warning to other drivers when you brake or turn. If the tail lights dim or fail, drivers behind you have less notice of your intentions, which increases crash risk. A Mercedes-Benz dealer fixes the recalled parts for free.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz C-Class used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific C350, C300, or C63 is included, then give recall number 14V177 to the Mercedes-Benz service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V177000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V177 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V177000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →