GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Benz declining warranty headlights $6500 HELP

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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 07:27 PM
  #1  
yipekiya's Avatar
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2013 Mercedes GL550
Benz declining warranty headlights $6500 HELP

I am wondering if anyone else has had an issue with headlights.

Within a period of one week both of my headlights go out. So step one take truck to Dealer.

Background info truck has never been in an accident nor has anyone mucked with the headlights. I am second owner.

So the dealer calls and asks me if I had worked on the truck and I say no. They then tell me they removed the fender liners and the inspection covers were missing on the headlights so moisture has entered. They tell me that Mercedes is reviewing the situation regarding the warranty. I advised there is nothing to review this is why vehicles have a warranty is for faulty parts or workmanship. So I waited for three days tro get a call today that goes like this. You are not going to be happy Mercedes will not warranty your headlights and the bill is $6500 no labour. So this was three hours ago and I am still boiling mad. I called and left a voice mail for Mercedes Benz Corporate and had a heated discussion with the assistant Service manager.

I am so so angry and need a venue to vent and hopefully gain some insight.

By the way I am new to the forum and my name is Rob. Up to this point I was with my GL now I am
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 11:19 PM
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fabbrisd1's Avatar
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Who did you buy the GL from ? If from a MB dealer then headlights would be covered.

If not from a MB dealer - then your recourse if with the seller - because it is obvious someone other than a MB dealer was in then and "mucked you up" - if a MB dealer had serviced the front headlights - then the VMI would show that service record.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 04:04 AM
  #3  
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Also, why are headlights $6500? If these two components are that price then the car would cost like $400,000 new?


I had this with a drive shaft on my Jag (never buy a Jag), when the ABS 'ladder' failed through very poor design (the 'ladder' being the thing the ABS sensor looks at to determine wheel speed), the car was out of warranty about 4 years old and Jag did me a replacement drive shaft for $600 instead of $1200 and thought they were doing me a favour until I pointed out that the drive shaft would never cost them $1200!


My point is, if you do have to pay for the parts and I really really hope you don't, get them for cost and hopefully the $6500 will halve or better.


Were these inspection covers fitted at assembly? Have they just dropped off? Where are they so I can check mine are still intact?
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
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Just saved you about $4,000. You're welcome, no need to thank me.

http://www.oediscountparts.com/parts...eadlamp%20assy


P.s., if you haven't looked at the link, msrp is only about $3,500. Nice mark up by the dealer there.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #5  
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same here.
Dealer said the cap is missing.
Its around 4k, not 6k. Insurance covered that, but this is BS.
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 12:11 PM
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Update: So I went down to the dealership to inspect the truck with a regional rep from Mercedes. My caps were not missing when they removed the fender liners my caps were just laying in there. So the back of the headlight assembly is exposed to the elements. So what happend is water entered the headlight and the leaked into the electronc component that plugs into the bottom of the headlight and fried them both.

So I cannot believe they are declining warranty but they are. I am so so furious over thiscan they honestly think that I would remove the fender liners loosen the caps and put it back together? Why would anyone in there right mind do this.

So they told me they will cut me a break and onbly charge me $4500 for the repair but if I dont say yes in the next few days the offer is rescinded.

CHECK YOUR CAPS ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS!!! YOU DONT WANT THIS PROBLEM!
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 03:18 PM
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Lol why don't you put the cap back on and take it to a different dealer for service?
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Ah_gl450
Lol why don't you put the cap back on and take it to a different dealer for service?
I had a meeting at the dealership with the Regional Rep from Mercedes. It has already gone above the dealer level.

Check your truck
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 03:24 PM
  #9  
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Interesting. Do I have to pull the fender liner to check it?

And what proof do they have that you did it vs they forgot to close it at the factory?
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 03:29 PM
  #10  
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2013 Mercedes GL550
Yes you need to pull the inner fender to get a look at the back of the lower headlight. They have absolutley no proof they are telling me they are not paying because they have never seen this before. As you can see above they have seen it and have warrantied it. Honestly it is unbelievable they are treating us like this. I likley will sell my 550 as I am so so disapointed.
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 07:15 PM
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I will repeat this quite clearly - Who did you buy the GL from ?

If bought from anyone other than a MB dealer - then your recourse if with the seller and not with MB - because it is obvious someone other than a MB dealer went into the back of the headlights and f*cked it up - then they sold you the car.

If a MB dealer had serviced the front headlights - then the VMI would show that service record - if you haven't been to Vance - then you do not know this COULD NOT happen at the factory - the problem CAME from original owner or the dealer you bought it from - THEY are the ones that should pay.
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Old Mar 22, 2014 | 10:02 PM
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take a baseball bat and smash both lights in an empty parking lot and call insurance that it was vandekized, just kidding, but this is an awful experience you are going through. I hope this gets better for you
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Old Mar 22, 2014 | 10:34 PM
  #13  
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This is part of the original post: "background info truck has never been in an accident nor has anyone mucked with the headlights. I am second owner."

Now in 1st week of 2nd ownership both headlights fail.

Seller and original service date by 1st owner unknown.

No Mercedes VMI record of headlights serviced by prior owner.

1) Prior owner attempts headlight mod homeself or non-Mercedes-dealer shop.

2) Original owner has accident repair - paid by cash - no insurance record - no Carfax record.

3) Original owner accident paid by insurance - within prior five weeks - often no CarFax record updated yet.

Impossible - again impossible - for the factory not to backcap headlight assembly.

Impossible for MB dealer to have serviced/touched those headlight assemblies without VMI record of that service/repair.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 10:35 AM
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Any warranty outside what MBUSA will accept would be a matter of the selling dealer negotiating with MB for resolution, not the customer.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 06:21 PM
  #15  
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dont waste time with the dealer and mercedes usa.
it is useless.
fix it and move on.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by fabbrisd1
I will repeat this quite clearly - Who did you buy the GL from ?

If bought from anyone other than a MB dealer - then your recourse if with the seller and not with MB - because it is obvious someone other than a MB dealer went into the back of the headlights and f*cked it up - then they sold you the car.

If a MB dealer had serviced the front headlights - then the VMI would show that service record - if you haven't been to Vance - then you do not know this COULD NOT happen at the factory - the problem CAME from original owner or the dealer you bought it from - THEY are the ones that should pay.

Absolutely….
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