NHTSA Service Bulletin 11010494: 2007-2025 Mercedes Benz Amg C43
Official manufacturer communication context for 2007-2025 Mercedes Benz Amg C43, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation -> a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (defogging progress). Note: -If no reduction in the degree of fogging is visible, the rear lamp is defective and must be replaced. -It is not physically possible to defog the headlamps completely some residual fogging may remain. Fogging does not impair the functionality or the service life of the rear lamps. -Simultaneous fogging of multiple component parts indicates extreme climatic conditions and also does not impair the functionality or the service life of the rear lamps. Remedy 2: You can recognize a defective rear lamp as follows: 1. Check the rear lamps to ensure that no external damage is present, and that the differential aeration cells and the diaphragm are present and correctly seated. -> If there are signs of external damage on the rear lamp, the component parts must be replaced as per WIS instructions. 2. Check the electrical connectors of the plugs and pins. -> If moisture/corrosion/etc. is present, the component part must be replaced as per WIS instructions. 3. Check for leak tightness -> Close all openings with Terostat IX or similar and establish and stabilize via an overpressure (4050 mbar) via the plug. -> In the event of a sudden pressure drop, the component part must be replaced as per WIS instructions. Note: External damage to the rear lamps does not constitute a warranty or goodwill case.
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 11010494?
Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
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