Carmakers Don't Think They Should Have to Fix Blindingly Bright Headlights
12 hours ago
- In spring 2024, Tesla notified NHTSA that headlights on ~19,900 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles exceeded legal brightness limits by nearly double.
- Tesla petitioned that the defect was 'inconsequential' to safety, arguing lights were too bright only in zones off the roadway and outside drivers' natural line of vision.
- NHTSA rejected Tesla's petition after two years, stating that changing conditions (e.g., curves, hills, weather) could cause glare and that lack of complaints doesn't guarantee future safety.
- Tesla must notify owners and provide free repairs or replacements. GM also lost a similar case in 2022 for 725,000 GMC Terrain SUVs with even brighter headlights.
- A survey showed 6 in 10 U.S. drivers say glare is a problem after dark, with 75% believing it has worsened over the past decade.