Tesla Recalls 20,000 Vehicles Over Headlight Brightness

Tesla is recalling about 20,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because their low-beam headlights may produce more light than federal regulations allow, marking the latest safety-related issue affecting the electric vehicle maker.

The recall covers 2017 through 2023 Model 3 vehicles and 2020 through 2023 Model Y vehicles, according to Tesla’s filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected headlights may exceed federally permitted light-output limits.

According to the recall report, excessive headlight brightness could impair visibility for both Tesla drivers and motorists approaching from the opposite direction, potentially increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Tesla has not yet determined the repair procedure. The company said a remedy “is currently under development” and plans to begin notifying affected vehicle owners in mid-September. Owners seeking information about the recall can contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

The recall comes as Tesla faces regulatory scrutiny involving several other vehicle and driver-assistance issues. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 1.2 million Tesla vehicles following reports of suspension failures that could cause “a loss of vehicle directional control,” according to a Reuters report last month.

Tesla’s Autopilot system has also been associated with hundreds of crashes and dozens of deaths, leading to legal settlements worth hundreds of millions of dollars. San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said this weekend that his Tesla was operating on autopilot when he was involved in a crash near downtown Palo Alto.

The headlight issue is at least the fifth recall Tesla has filed with the NHTSA this year. In May, the company recalled more than 218,000 Model 3, Model Y and Model S/X vehicles because of problems involving rear cameras. Separately, some Cybertrucks have faced a risk of brake-rotor stud-hole cracking, while a small number of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles imported from Canada were found not to meet U.S. safety requirements.

Tesla had sold approximately 9.2 million vehicles worldwide as of April, according to the cited sales data.