Tesla Inc. is recalling 20,349 [2] vehicles in the U.S. because low-beam headlights exceed federal brightness limits.
The recall addresses a safety risk where excessive light output creates glare for other motorists. This visibility reduction for oncoming drivers increases the likelihood of road accidents during nighttime driving.
A Tesla spokesperson said the company is recalling 20,349 [2] vehicles over low-beam headlights that are too bright and could diminish the ability of oncoming drivers to see the road [2]. The affected fleet includes 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles and about 1,600 [3] Model 3 vehicles [3]. Other reports have rounded the total number of affected cars to 20,000 [1].
U.S. safety officials said the low beams of the recalled vehicles' headlights are too bright, exceeding the maximum light output [4]. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered the recall to proceed after rejecting a claim from Tesla that the glare was inconsequential [5].
Federal lighting standards are designed to ensure that low beams provide necessary illumination for the driver without blinding others. When these limits are exceeded, the headlights effectively function as high beams, which are prohibited for standard forward-facing travel in traffic.
Tesla has not yet detailed the specific method for the fix, though such lighting issues are often addressed through software updates, or hardware adjustments. The company is required to notify owners of the affected Model 3 and Model Y vehicles regarding the necessary corrective actions.
“The low beams of the recalled vehicles' headlights are too bright, exceeding the maximum light output”
This recall highlights the ongoing tension between Tesla's iterative engineering approach and the rigid safety mandates of the NHTSA. By rejecting the company's assertion that the brightness was inconsequential, federal regulators are signaling a low tolerance for deviations from lighting standards that impact the safety of other road users.
