Tesla Ordered by U.S. Regulators to Recall Vehicles for Headlight Correction

[Regulatory Policy] Tesla has been ordered by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall approximately 20,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to excessive headlight brightness.

Key Development: 19,917 Older Model 3/Y Vehicles Require Physical Headlight Modifications

The affected vehicles are Model 3 and Model Y units produced between 2017 and 2023. Their right-side headlights measured brightness levels as high as 230.1 cd, while the left-side headlights reached 160.3 cd, significantly exceeding the federal limit of 125 cd. Because this issue stems from a hardware deviation, it cannot be resolved via over-the-air (OTA) updates. Owners must visit service centers for headlight realignment or replacement of the entire headlight assembly.

Strategic Rationale: NHTSA Determines Glare Poses Crash Risk in Low-Visibility Conditions

Although Tesla reported no related accidents or complaints, regulators emphasized that excessively bright headlights can cause glare for oncoming drivers during rain, snow, fog, or other low-visibility conditions, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Consequently, NHTSA rejected Tesla’s request for an exemption and mandated the recall.