Recall 18V271 affects 42 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, E400, and AMG E43 vehicles for unsealed headlight adjustment screws. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 42 2017 E300, E400, and AMG E43 vehicles because the headlight horizontal adjustment screws were not properly sealed behind the cap that keeps the headlights from being readjusted. If the headlight aim is changed, the road can be poorly lit and crash risk increases; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlight horizontal adjustment screw on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, E400, and AMG E43 controls the left-to-right aim of the low-beam headlight. At the factory, that screw is set so the lamp points where it is supposed to point. A non-removable sealing cap is then supposed to cover the screw, which prevents later horizontal readjustment.
On affected vehicles, incorrect assembly instructions at the manufacturing plant led to the sealing cap not being installed. Without that cap, the horizontal adjustment screw is not sealed behind the required cover. Mercedes-Benz identified this as an FMVSS 108 noncompliance because the low-beam horizontal adjustment is not locked down as required.
You will not notice this problem from the driver seat. There is no warning sign before failure, and the vehicle does not alert you that the headlight adjustment screw is missing its sealing cap.
Who's affected?
Spans three Mercedes-Benz variants, all tied to the same headlight component.
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 | Headlights |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 | Headlights |
| Units affected | 42 |
| 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 car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A misaimed headlight can leave the roadway insufficiently illuminated and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the headlight aim issue, so use extra care at night and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, E400, or AMG E43 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free headlight sealing-cap retrofit that keeps the horizontal aim from being readjusted.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or reference recall number 18V271 when you call.
- Avoid adjusting the headlights until the retrofit is complete; a changed horizontal aim can reduce roadway lighting.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician retrofits sealing caps for the headlights so the horizontal adjustment screws are properly sealed against readjustment. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain covered under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 27, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 1, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 8, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 8, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 8, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V271?
Recall 18V271 covers 42 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, E400, and AMG E43 vehicles with headlight horizontal adjustment screws that lack proper sealed caps. If the headlight aim is changed, the roadway can be underlit and crash risk increases. Dealers retrofit the sealing caps for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, E400, or AMG E43 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V271. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the headlight sealing-cap retrofit. Reference recall number 2018050012 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects and compliance defects at no cost to owners. Mercedes-Benz dealers will retrofit the headlight sealing caps free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 18V271.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced nighttime visibility if the headlight aim is altered. A misaimed headlight can leave the roadway insufficiently illuminated, which increases crash risk. The dealer fix adds the required sealing caps so the horizontal headlight adjustment screws stay protected.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V271000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V271 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V271000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →