Recall 15V087 affects 9,137 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C400 vehicles for headlamp aim adjustment defects. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 9,137 2015 C300 and C400 vehicles because the low-beam headlamp horizontal adjustment mechanism was left accessible instead of sealed. If that adjustment is changed, the headlamps can leave the road poorly lit or create glare for oncoming drivers and increase crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will install the proper sealing caps free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlights on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C400 use horizontal adjustment hardware to aim the low beams from side to side. During factory setup, that adjustment lets the lamp position be set so the road is lit correctly without sending glare into oncoming traffic. After that setup is finished, sealing caps are supposed to cover the adjustment points.
On affected vehicles, incorrect assembly instructions left the sealing caps off. That left the factory horizontal adjustment accessible to an owner instead of sealed after production. If the aim is changed from the certified factory setting, the low beams can fall outside the lighting standard and point where they were not approved to point.
Owners are not given a dashboard warning or lamp message for this problem. There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the missing cap on the headlight adjustment mechanism, so a dealer inspection is the reliable way to confirm whether the headlight assembly needs correction.
Who's affected?
C300 and C400 are the two included model variants, both tied to the same headlight component.
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 | Headlights |
| Units affected | 9,137 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the original horizontal adjustment changes the low beam aim, the headlamp can point out of position. That gives the driver less useful road light or creates glare for oncoming drivers, increasing crash risk. The recall fix replaces the adjustment mechanisms with sealing caps. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 or C400 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free headlamp horizontal-adjustment repair that replaces the adjustment mechanisms with sealing caps.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or reference recall number 15V087 when you call.
- Avoid changing the headlamp horizontal aim until the repair is complete; mis-aimed low beams can reduce road illumination or increase glare for oncoming drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the horizontal adjustment mechanisms on the affected headlamps with sealing caps. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Mercedes-Benz. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 11, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V087?
Recall 15V087 covers 9,137 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C400 vehicles with headlamp horizontal adjustment mechanisms that were left accessible instead of being sealed. If the low beam aim is changed from the factory setting, road lighting or glare to other drivers can increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 or C400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V087. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the headlamp horizontal adjustment mechanisms to be replaced with sealing caps. Reference recall number 15V087 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the headlamp horizontal adjustment mechanisms with sealing caps free of charge on vehicles included in recall 15V087.
Is it safe to drive my Mercedes-Benz C300 or C400 before the headlamp repair?
This recall is not marked do not drive. The risk comes from low beam headlamps that have been altered from the original horizontal aim, which can reduce road illumination or create glare for oncoming drivers. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz C300 or C400 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015 C300 or C400 is included, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer for the free headlamp sealing-cap repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V087000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V087 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V087000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →