Tesla Recalls 20,349 Model Y and Model 3 Cars — the Headlights Are Too Bright to Be Legal

Tesla is recalling 20,349 vehicles because their low-beam headlights exceed the maximum light output permitted by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. Excessively bright low beams can impair the vision of oncoming drivers.

• 18,735 Model Y vehicles, model years 2020–2023
• 1,614 Model 3 vehicles, model years 2017–2023

The NHTSA campaign number is 26V507000; Tesla's internal reference is SB-24-17-003.

The recall was announced on August 11, 2026. It follows NHTSA's denial of Tesla's petition for an exemption in July 2026 — in other words, Tesla first argued the vehicles should not have to comply and lost that argument.

Owner notification letters are scheduled to begin September 15, 2026.

As of the recall filing, Tesla had not specified the remedy. No software update has been published and no timeline beyond the September notification date has been given. Owners do not need to take action before receiving their letter, and recall repairs are performed free of charge.

Tesla's customer service line for this campaign is 1-877-798-3752.

Tesla reported three warranty claims and one field report connected to the condition, with no accidents or injuries. There is no class action and no settlement associated with this recall. Vehicle recalls sometimes lead to litigation later — particularly where owners argue diminished value or out-of-pocket loss — but nothing of the kind has been filed here.