2017-2023 Tesla Model 3 & Y Headlight Recall 26V507000
Tesla has issued a recall for certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because their low beam headlights may be too bright, failing to comply with safety standards and potentially increasing crash risk for oncoming drivers.
Also applies to
- Tesla Model 3
- 2017–2022
- Tesla Model Y
- 2020–2023
Why This Matters
Tesla, Inc. has issued a significant safety recall, identified as NHTSA Recall Number 26V507000 and Tesla's internal number SB-24-17-003. This recall affects approximately 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles from model years 2017 through 2023. The core issue is that the low beam headlights on these vehicles may emit light that is excessively bright, exceeding the maximum permissible output under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety Risk
Headlight low beams that are too bright pose a direct safety hazard. They can significantly reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, leading to temporary glare or distraction. This reduction in visibility increases the risk of a crash, as other road users may not be able to react appropriately to traffic conditions or the presence of the Tesla vehicle. This is why the 2023 Tesla Model 3 recall is crucial for affected owners to address promptly.
What's Being Recalled
This recall specifically targets the headlight assemblies in certain 2017-2023 Tesla Model 3 and 2020-2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The problem lies with the low beam functionality, which can be too bright. The affected component is the "EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS." A total of 20,349 units are potentially affected in the U.S.
How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected
Owners of 2017-2023 Tesla Model 3 and 2020-2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles should be aware of this recall. To determine if your specific vehicle is included in this 2023 Tesla Model 3 recall, you can contact Tesla customer service directly at 1-877-798-3752, referencing recall number SB-24-17-003. You can also visit the NHTSA recalls website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check for any open recalls.
Manufacturer's Remedy
Tesla Service will address this issue by replacing the affected headlights, free of charge to the owner. Interim owner notification letters, explaining the safety risk and the steps Tesla is taking, were mailed on October 3, 2026. A second notice will be sent to owners once the necessary repair parts become available and the repair process can be scheduled.
Source: NHTSA Recall ID: 26V507000
What Tesla Model 3 owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 10 model years.
- 4,387
- Owner complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 249
- Service bulletins
- 459
- Crashes reported
- 22
- Fires reported
- 256
- Injuries reported
The 2023 model year
429 complaints, the 6th most of 10 model years on file. Owners reported 73 crashes, 1 fire and 50 injuries for this year, which also has 12 recalls on file.
Exterior Lighting, the system this article covers, accounts for 86 of 4,387 complaints (2%), including 1 for 2023.
Complaints by model year
| 2017 | 27 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,036 | |
| 2019 | 620 | |
| 2020 | 453 | |
| 2021 | 674 | |
| 2022 | 773 | |
| 2023 | 429 | |
| 2024 | 222 | |
| 2025 | 123 | |
| 2026 | 30 |
Most-reported systems
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 1,751
- Vehicle Speed Control — 635
- Service Brakes — 571
- Electrical System — 566
- Steering — 414
Latest recalls for the 2023 model year
- 26V507000 — Exterior Lighting (Aug 2026)
- 26V283000 — Back Over Prevention (May 2026)
- 25V092000 — Steering (Feb 2025)
Recent owner reports about exterior lighting
Read owner complaints →Turn signals shut off after three blinks with no lane change or steering wheel movement. Lane departure / assistance fails to function. Blind spot monitor / alert fails to function. Adaptive cruise control / braking fail to function.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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