Tesla to Recall Nearly 20,000 Model 3 and Model Y Vehicles in US over Bright Headlights

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rejected Tesla's request to address an alleged over‑brightness issue in the low‑beam headlights of 2017‑2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles through a software update. NHTSA ruled that about 1.99 × 10⁴ cars must be recalled for a hardware‑based repair because the headlight output may exceed federal limits and could cause glare to other road users, especially in adverse weather. Tesla will have to recalibrate or replace the headlight assemblies at service centers; the recall cannot be fixed over‑the‑air. This follows the agency’s broader scrutiny of automotive lighting, citing surveys that show a majority of drivers view excessive glare as a safety concern.