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Tesla Model Y Lighting problems by year

10 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model Y's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20251000
20230002
20220002
20210002
20209003

Lighting recalls

Exterior lighting

20V6090002,567 vehicles affected

Over-the-air fix

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020 Model Y vehicles equipped with a global rear lamp and tow package configuration. A software error prevents the illumination of trailer brake lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements...

Latest Model Y lighting complaints

2025 Tesla Model YLights

While vehicle was driving on FSD at approximately 75 mph on freeway, the vehicle in front of me kicked up a small piece of tire trend. the piece of tire hit the headlight and shattered the glass on the headlight assembly, while not damaging any other part of the car. I have owned quiet a few cars from all makes including another Tesla however it seems this cannot be normal for the headlight assembly to shatter with such a small piece of rubber. I have tried to reach out to Tesla but they of course refuse any...

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possibility of defect with Model Y headlight assembly so I wanted to submit this incident in hope that if enough people have experienced similar incident with their headlight assembly it would be recalled

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11662280
2020 Tesla Model YLights

While driving with Auto Pilot the car turns off the high beams whenever it sees too many reflectors. Such as on power poles of guard rails. The problem is twice this week I seen deer crossing the road ahead of me and the car turned off the high beaks. Then for a couple seconds I couldn't turn on the high beams manually. When I asked Tesla to look at this problem I was told they are in development. I own this car for three years and I think nothing is being done.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11528118
2020 Tesla Model YLights

This occurs driving on Highway 50 between Placerville, CA and Meyers, CA a predominantly 2 lane winding mountain highway bounded by many cliffs and rocks. The only way to properly engage the high beam lights is to activate the automatic high beam system. The lights inappropriately switch to low beams leaving me on a curvy road with insufficient light to see the curves. In some cases I need to hold the high beam flash control which does not allow me to keep both hands on the steering while while navigating that...

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road. The vehicle needs a typical manual high beam control as I think the automatic system does not work safely when the cameras receive light bouncing off the rocks and snow. Virtually all cars have a manual control for this important light. This makes for a very dangerous driving situation.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11498456
2020 Tesla Model YLights

This is a general complaint, not specific to this VIN Headlights on many modern cards are becoming increasingly brighter, causing major safety issues in the ability to see facing oncoming traffic. I find myself often blinded by an oncoming vehicle that does not even have its brights on. Is there anything being done to address the issue of manufacturers installing headlights that are a safety issue for oncoming traffic?

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11490854
2020 Tesla Model YLightsVisibility & wipers

A recent software change removed the automatic activation of headlights with wipers. Headlights on with wipers is the law in most states and a common sense practice. However, with the removal of the automatic activation, you are forced to tap into several sub menus on the touchscreen in order to manually activate the head lights, all while driving in less than ideal conditions.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11476490
2020 Tesla Model YLightsVisibility & wipers

Tesla recently release their version 11 user interface. This update took a lot of safety features and put them behind menus. Windshield wipers, defrosters, seat warmers were all easily accessible in the previous version. Now they are wall hidden behind menus. If you need one of these features while driving, you get distracted while trying to find it which is dangerous. But these features are necessary to use while driving.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11447440
2020 Tesla Model YLightsVisibility & wipers

In a recent software update, my Model Y's backup camera has essentially become inoperable. Sometimes the backup camera does not display, or if it does the video feed lags significantly from real time making it unreliable and dangerous.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11447120
2020 Tesla Model YLightsVisibility & wipersDriver assistance

Turn signal causes excessive glare effect on the side repeater cameras during nighttime use. Driver is unable to view blind spot camera feed properly when engaging in a lane change.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiper · Lane departureNHTSA 11445730
2020 Tesla Model YLights

tail lights on both sides constantly fill with condensation blocking the visibility to drivers behind me. I have reported the problem to Tesla but they keep saying it's within specs. the manufacture is only looking at pictures to make the judgment and not actually allowing me to come in to correct the problem. I have two model Y's and they are having the same problem.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11421064
2020 Tesla Model YLights

Break light builds up condensation and obscures the lights from being seen. I reached out to tesla to have the part replaced under warranty. They claim that condensation to that level is normal. I think it's a safety risk.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11404905

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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