---
title: "Tesla Recalls Over 20,000 Model 3 and Y Vehicles in US for Bright Headlights"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/tesla-recalls-model-y-model-3-us-headlights-9cp0t
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Business
published: 2026-08-12T09:28:14.695Z
modified: 2026-08-12T12:00:48.554Z
language: en-IN
---

# Tesla Recalls Over 20,000 Model 3 and Y Vehicles in US for Bright Headlights

Tesla is recalling 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States due to overly bright low beam headlights. The issue, which can impair the vision of oncoming drivers, prompted the NHTSA to reject Tesla's request to avoid a full recall.

## Key takeaways

- Tesla is recalling 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States.
- The recall is due to low beam headlights emitting excessive brightness, potentially impairing other drivers.
- The NHTSA denied Tesla's request to skip a full recall for the headlight issue.
- Specific headlight units from Marelli Automotive Lighting are involved in the defect.

## What Happened

Tesla is initiating a recall of 20,349 vehicles in the United States because the low beam headlights are too bright. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rejected Tesla's request to forgo a recall, requiring the company to address the issue. The problem concerns specific measurement areas on the outer, upper edges of the light cone, where light intensity was measured at up to 230.1 Candela, exceeding the permissible limit of 125 Candela.

## Why It Matters

Overly bright headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming drivers, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. This recall highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Tesla's vehicles regarding safety aspects. While the immediate financial impact is expected to be limited, as it affects specific vehicle variants, the incident underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and timely correction of technical defects.

## Background

The recall specifically affects 18,735 Model Y vehicles from model years 2020 to 2023 and 1,614 Model 3 vehicles from model years 2017 to 2023. These vehicles were equipped with certain headlight units from supplier Marelli Automotive Lighting. The issue was identified in tests by a Canadian laboratory in 2023, and although Tesla acknowledged the deviation, it initially argued the defect was not safety-critical enough to warrant a full recall, citing no known accidents or injuries. However, three warranty claims and one field report were registered, leading the NHTSA to deny Tesla's request for an exemption in July.

## Key Facts

- Tesla is recalling 20,349 vehicles in the U.S.

- The recall is due to headlights that exceed permissible brightness levels.

- Affected models include specific variants of the Model 3 and Model Y.

- The U.S. NHTSA rejected Tesla's request to avoid a recall.

- The issue involves headlight units supplied by Marelli Automotive Lighting.

- Measured light intensity in specific areas reached up to 230.1 Candela, above the 125 Candela limit.

## What Happens Next

Tesla is currently developing a remedy for the headlight issue, though it has not yet been specified whether this will involve an over-the-air update, a method Tesla has used for previous recalls. The company previously indicated that the faulty headlight components were primarily installed in vehicles produced before June 2, 2023, but also found their way into vehicles through repairs. A total of 432 vehicles with later production dates are also included in the recall.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/tesla-recalls-model-y-model-3-us-headlights-9cp0t
Reported from: Multiple Sources