Recall 18V911 affects 104 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 and AMG CLS53 vehicles for improperly sealed headlight adjustment screws. Free repair at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 104 2019 Cls 450 and AMG CLS53 vehicles because the horizontal headlight adjustment screw can lack effective sealing, leaving the headlights improperly adjusted. Poorly adjusted headlights reduce driver visibility and increase crash risk, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlight on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 and AMG CLS53 uses a horizontal adjustment screw to set the lamp aim from side to side. That adjustment keeps the beam pointed where it belongs, so the road is lit without sending too much light toward other drivers. The screw is supposed to be sealed and locked after the correct setting is made.
On affected vehicles, that seal and lock were not strong enough. Mercedes-Benz traced the issue to headlights from early production, where the horizontal adjustment lock was not tamper-proof. If the screw is changed or does not stay secured, the headlight aim can be set incorrectly. That is why the vehicles do not meet the federal lighting requirement for lamps and related equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. You are not expected to see a message, hear a noise, or feel a change while driving before the headlight adjustment issue is found.
Who's affected?
Covers the Cls 450 and AMG CLS53, with the same headlight component listed for each model.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 | Headlights |
| Units affected | 104 |
| 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 in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Misadjusted headlights reduce the driver's view of the road and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the headlight aim problem, so use extra care at night and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 or AMG CLS53 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free headlight adjustment-screw inspection and sealing that keeps the headlights properly adjusted.
- Reference recall number 18V911 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2019020007 when you call.
- Bring the owner notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or ask the dealer to look up the recall by VIN.
- Use extra care when driving at night until the repair is complete, since improper headlight aim reduces visibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the horizontal headlight adjustment screws and seals any screw that needs sealing so the headlights cannot be improperly adjusted through that opening. 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 before the owner notice, because all involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 2, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V911?
Recall 18V911 covers 104 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 and AMG CLS53 vehicles with headlight adjustment screws that were not sealed correctly. The headlights can be improperly adjusted, reducing driver visibility and increasing crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers inspect and seal the screws for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 or AMG CLS53 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V911. If it is, call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the headlight inspection and screw sealing. Reference recall number 18V911 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2019020007 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers inspect the horizontal headlight adjustment screws and seal them as needed for free.
What is the safety risk?
In recall 18V911, the safety risk is reduced driver visibility from improperly adjusted headlights. The defect involves the horizontal adjustment screw seal, which affects headlight aim. Poor headlight aim increases crash risk, especially when the driver needs clear forward lighting.
When did Mercedes-Benz notify owners?
Mercedes-Benz began the recall on March 15, 2019. The remedy is available, so included owners can schedule the headlight screw inspection and sealing with a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer now.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V911000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V911 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V911000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →