2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Headlight Recall (26V507)
Tesla, Inc. · 20,349 vehicles · Reported August 4, 2026
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 20,349 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 26V507 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V507000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-24-17-003 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | August 4, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2023 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 20,349 |
| Component | Exterior Lighting > Headlights |
| Safety risk | Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 in recall 26V507?
The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Model 3 with recall 26V507?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the headlights.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V507?
Recall 26V507 covers 20,349 vehicles: 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2023 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 20,349 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2021-2023 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model 3 headlight recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will replace the headlights, free of charge.
Tesla Service will replace the headlights, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.
When was recall 26V507 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 26V507 to NHTSA on August 4, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as October 3, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2023 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| August 4, 2026 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V507000. |
| October 3, 2026 | Owner notification letters scheduled (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 1 months ago. If your Model 3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model 3 is part of recall 26V507?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V507 is open on your Model 3, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 26V507000 is open on your Model 3, it will be listed there, along with Tesla recall number SB-24-17-003. You can also ask any Tesla dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Model 3 owners do about recall 26V507?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V507000 applies to your Model 3.
- Call a Tesla dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the headlights happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Model 3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 4,966 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 75 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 26V507 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 4,966 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 75 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Tesla Model Y: 1,166 complaints in total, 21 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Tesla Model Y: 1,079 complaints in total, 14 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model Y: 865 complaints in total, 20 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model 3: 765 complaints in total, 10 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 9 about the lighting and visibility
- 2023 Tesla Model 3: 427 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
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. Problem first reported to Tesla on 7/6/2023. Telsa installed software update to resolve remotely.
2023 Tesla Model 3 owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11539601, filed August 19, 2023
First cold day of the year and the heater stopped working. With the heater not available the windshield couldn’t be cleared it would always fog and cover the windshield blocking the view infront of the vehicle.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11699265, filed November 13, 2025
The vehicle display flashed red and then the vehicle turned off completely while in traffic with no ability to change gear, operate the electronic door releases, or turn the hazards on.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, CO, NHTSA complaint 11720264, filed February 24, 2026
Can recall 26V507 make my Model 3 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 26V507000 does not automatically make your Model 3 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Model 3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V507
Is the 26V507000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed October 3, 2026.
How do I know if my Model 3 is part of recall 26V507000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 26V507000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.