NHTSA Denies Tesla Inc. Petition to Avoid Headlight Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration denied a 2024 petition filed by Tesla Inc. seeking to avoid a recall for approximately 19,900 vehicles. The affected fleet consists of Tesla Inc. Model 3 and Model Y vehicles from the 2017-2023 model years, which the agency found feature headlights that may exceed maximum lighting levels.

Tesla Inc. argued that the lighting issue was inconsequential to safety and did not present an increased risk of glare for other drivers. However, the agency rejected this claim, stating that specific weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and fog, could cause veiling glare for both the drivers of the vehicles and other road users.

This regulatory action follows a precedent set in 2022 when the agency similarly rejected a petition from General Motors regarding a lighting issue. The decision mandates that Tesla Inc. address the noncompliance across the identified model years to meet federal safety standards.