US agency denies Tesla petition to avoid recall fix over headlight issue

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, July ‌16 (Reuters) - The ​National ​Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday said it was denying a 2024 petition filed by Tesla to avoid ‌a recall fix for nearly 20,000 vehicles with headlights ⁠that may exceed maximum lighting levels.

Tesla argued the issue was inconsequential to motor ‌vehicle safety and did ‌not require a recall or notification to consumers. NHTSA said it disagreed with Tesla’s conclusion that there is no increased ​risk of glare for surrounding traffic or the driver of the vehicle. The recall covers about 19,900 2017-2023 model year ⁠Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y vehicles, NHTSA said.

Tesla did not immediately respond ​to a request for comment.

The agency noted in 2022 it rejected a similar petition from GM to avoid ​fixing 820,000 vehicles over a lighting ‌issue.

Tesla added it is unaware of any complaints or reports of accidents or injuries related to ⁠this issue and believes it is inconsequential to safety.

NHTSA said weather conditions such as rain, snow, and fog "could result in light from the ⁠noncompliant lamps causing veiling glare to the driver or other road users driving" ​near those Tesla vehicles.

A survey released by the American Automobile Association in March said 6 in 10 drivers say glare is a problem after dark, ‌and nearly three-quarters of those believe it has worsened over the past decade.

NHTSA in 2022 rejected ‌a petition to require a recall for vehicles using LED headlights ⁠including some Tesla Model ‌3, Ford Bronco, and ​Rivian R1T motor vehicles. The petition had argued they caused excessive glare.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by ‌Chizu Nomiyama )

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