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2020 Tesla Model Y lighting problems

moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →

Complaints
9
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$250
What stands out

No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 20V609000 September 30, 2020

Tesla, Inc

Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and has released the firmware update over-the-air (OTA) to vehicles as of September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-00-002.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin SB19-20-003-R3 Oct 2023

On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat electrical harness, causing the airbag indicator to display on the touchscreen.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

lighting · filed 12/31/2021

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.

lighting · filed 12/21/2022

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…

Had lighting trouble with your 2020 Tesla Model Y? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the lighting problem on the 2020 Tesla Model Y?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?

Based on the 9 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 5,900 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to lighting?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Tesla/Model Y. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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