Tesla Begs Feds: Faulty Headlights on Model 3 and Y Inconsequential?
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Notice
Summary
Tesla found a small issue with the lights on some Model 3 and Model Y cars from 2017 to 2023. They told the government and asked for a pass, saying this problem doesn’t affect safety. People can share their thoughts by December 29, 2025, but no big costs or recalls are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
About 6,025 Model 3/Y cars affected
Tesla reported that approximately 6,025 vehicles — Model 3 (model years 2017–2023) and Model Y (model years 2020–2023) manufactured between November 9, 2017 and July 31, 2023 — may not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 for certain rear lamps.
Rear lamps exceed photometry limit by 7%
NHTSA filing states the subject stop and rear turn signal lamps were measured at 321.47 candela (cd) at test point HV, exceeding the FMVSS No.108 maximum of 300 cd — about a 7 percent exceedance.
Tesla seeks exemption from notification and remedy
Tesla filed a noncompliance report dated July 24, 2024 and petitioned NHTSA on August 16, 2024 for a determination that the noncompliance is inconsequential and for an exemption from the notification and remedy duties under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and 49 CFR part 556. NHTSA notes any grant would only exempt Tesla from notifying and remedying vehicles that Tesla no longer controlled when it discovered the issue.
Voluntary recall determination; no reported incidents
Tesla states it made a voluntary recall determination on July 17, 2024 for the subject lamps, and Tesla reports there have been no complaints, reported accidents, or injuries related to this noncompliance.
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