Tesla will have to physically recall 20,349 vehicles in the United States because their low-beam headlights may produce more light than federal rules allow.
The recall covers 18,735 “pre-refresh” Model Y vehicles and 1,614 Model 3 cars.
Which Tesla Vehicles Are Included
NHTSA recall 26V507 covers some 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The affected cars were either built or repaired with specific headlamp assemblies carrying a supplier manufacturing date of June 2, 2023, or later.
Model | Years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
Model Y | 2020-2023 | 18,735 |
Model 3 | 2017-2023 | 1,614 |
Total | — | 20,349 |
Tesla identified the affected VINs by reviewing manufacturing and service records. This recall is slightly different than others, where Tesla has identified the bad headlight assembly, so these are the number of vehicles Tesla expects to have to repair to comply with regulations.
Why the Headlights Are Being Recalled
According to NHTSA, these vehicles are being recalled because the low beams exceed the maximum permitted light intensity in the outer upper-left and upper-right portions of a federally defined testing zone.
NHTSA says excessive low-beam output may reduce visibility for the Tesla driver and other road users, raising the risk of a crash. The filing also identifies Marelli Automotive Lighting in Mexico as the supplier of the affected headlight assemblies.
Tesla’s Earlier Request Was Denied
Previously, Tesla had asked NHTSA to classify the lighting variance as inconsequential, which would have allowed Tesla to avoid notifying owners and performing the recall.
However, NHTSA rejected that request and has now officially announced the recall. The earlier estimate was that the recall would affect approximately 19,900 vehicles.
When Owners Will Receive a Fix
Tesla submitted the recall report on August 4, 2026, and notified its stores and service centers on or shortly after that date. Recall notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on September 15, but many owners will likely be notified through the Tesla app before then.
Upgrade Matrix Headlights?
The filing says the type of repair is still being developed by Tesla, so it’s not clear whether the headlights will be fixed or replaced.
If Tesla decides to replace the headlights, this could be a positive for these owners, as they’ll likely receive a free upgrade to Tesla’s matrix headlights, which provide a very noticeable improvement in lighting during night driving.
Unlike many Tesla recalls that are resolved through a software update — such as the TPMS recall that fixed over 700,000 vehicles — this lighting issue will require an owner to bring their vehicle to a service center or use Tesla’s mobile service.
Affected VINs aren’t available on NHTSA’s site yet, but once they become available, owners will be able to check if they have an affected vehicle.
