It was a great feeling the first time I pressed the pedal on my Tesla Model 3. The Tesla salesman told me, "Welcome to the Future." My Model 3 and I are inseparable, but the EV does have some issues with the headlights. After doing some research on the internet, I found:
Fixes for 7 common Tesla Model 3 Headlight Issues
- The Headlights Will Not Turn Off
- Flickering headlights
- Headlights Fogging up
- The Lights are Too Bright and Annoying to Other Drivers
- One Headlight Doesn't Work
- Headlights turning on and off at night
- The headlight looks like it's about to pop out
To fix all these problems, you can call the mobile Tesla Service or visit your nearest Tesla Center for a quick inspection and repair.
Even though your warranty covers most of the repairs, it can be a hassle to do them on the spot. What if something you did caused the problem and you want to avoid it again? Find out about the most common Model 3 issues with headlights and how to fix it.
Tesla Model 3 Headlight Issues
Every time you check the news or go online, there seems to be a problem with Tesla vehicles. Tesla's electric cars are like rollercoasters, just as the stock market. They are both the most amazing and annoying cars that you can purchase.
You need to focus on the truth and ignore all the noise.
Tesla is in the news because... well... it's awesome. This is the first mass-produced, sexy electric vehicle that's fast, comfortable, safe and can travel long distances. Reporters, blogs and forums will always criticize the automaker at the slightest hint of a problem.
In that spirit, I will be completely open and honest with you. Tesla has major problems. Tesla has only been manufacturing cars for 11 years. Tesla, Inc. has only been in business for 11 years.
Consider it. They are setting the standard and leading a new market segment. Tesla is also years ahead of its competition when it comes down to the core competency that Tesla has, which is making batteries.
This is not because I am a fan, but because it is true. The company knows that it is young and has little experience in manufacturing. That's why they created an official forum for their website, where users can express their opinions and praises about their EVs.
Tesla has fixed the headlight issue.
Before you read further, you should be aware that most of these problems have been resolved in later productions and updates. Tesla began to address the headlight problem in 2018, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Model 3's headlights an "Acceptable rating".
It is not good for an automaker to receive a rating that is barely above average from an independent non profit that works on reducing accidents and injuries.
The IIHS gave the front crash-avoidance feature "Superior" in the same report. So, it's not like the report was biased. The headlights were not performing to their full potential.
Tesla addressed the issue quickly, focusing on LED reflectors. This year, the IIHS awarded a "Good", recognizing a positive trend toward a safer headlamp.
Trust me, they're working on it. Let's now get back to the issues that we discussed.
1. Tesla Model 3 Headlights Won't Turn Off
You've read it correctly if you have a problem with your car headlights. Tesla Model 3 owners are very rarely faced with a problem where the headlights don't turn off.
There are only two possible reasons for this to happen, as far as I know.
- It's not a software issue
- It's software related
Too corny? Please, bear with me.
Teslas are known for their reliability, but hardware issues can occur. It's possible that you got a defective version. It is unlikely that this happened because the EVs are assembled by precision-coded machines. If there were a problem, it would affect more than a handful of EVs. There is no way to rule out the possibility that there are some wiring problems causing your Model 3 headlights to stay on all day.
It is most likely that there is a problem with your software. A hard reset of your Model 3 can easily resolve this problem. To do so simply:
- Brake your vehicle.
- Use both buttons on your steering wheel.
- The screen will turn off, and you'll see the Tesla logo flashing on.
You should never reset your Model 3 on the road.
You should be able to fix any software bugs you have. It's a good idea to keep your Tesla updated as the manufacturer always comes up with new cool updates. That's right! The bugs are fixed and you get new whoopee cushions sounds.
After you have reset your Model 3 hard, if the problem persists, even when you are driving at daylight or the car is turned off, it may still be a Software issue, but it's possible that you caused the problem by adjusting headlight features. Tesla still has to fix the problem, but by changing the headlight settings you may have triggered it.
How to adjust headlights on Tesla Model 3
Model 3 is the car of tomorrow with its sleek exterior, minimalist interior, and customizable features. You can also customize the headlights. You can adjust the intensity and direction of your headlights on your interior screen.
Many Model 3 owners have noticed a bug which causes the headlights to remain on in a loop. A hard reset worked in some cases, but not others. A quick trip to a Tesla service center will likely resolve the problem.
The technician will connect the car to his laptop, launch and reset the system. The headlights will never be the same again.
Recent software updates have addressed most of the bugs.
2. Headlights that flicker
This list includes the most common problems with headlights, including flickering headlights 1.
One individual, 2015P90DI, who posts on the official Tesla Forum was particularly annoyed by this. This Model 3 driver was pulled over for flickering headlights.
It was raining, and the temperature was around 38 degrees when our friend was driving in the desert. It's not a good situation to be pulled over.
2015P90DI had his Model 3 set to autopilot. He said that driving on autopilot was very frustrating because the car didn't know that his hands were on the wheel in the normal position. He had to hold the steering wheel harder and more often to ensure that the car recognized he was driving.
Flicker Guy was pulled over by the police officer who was on duty because the autopilot and high beams that he set up were constantly flashing and flickering. This, along with the extended turn signal when the autopilot system kicks into action while changing lanes caused the officer to be on duty.
The officer told him that he had to leave the car in order to pass a field sobriety check.
When I used the free 30-day autopilot test that Tesla provided on my Model 3 I didn't notice any flickering. It is likely an issue specific to cars.
Multiple Model 3 owners stated in the same forum that the problem was caused by the stop lights and signs he might have passed. The autopilot and automatic hi-beam features flashed and flickered when these signs were passed.
Headlight flickering can be fixed by turning off automatic beams and updating your Model 3 or hard-resetting the car. (Get used to these two last answers as they are applicable to many of the problems in this list.
3. Headlights Fogging up
Model 3 Teslas are plagued by fogging of the headlights. This can cause internal damage to the headlamp.
This issue was the most common one I saw on all the blogs and forums that I visited online. Model 3 owners worry that condensation and water drops in the headlight could cause it to malfunction and reduce its intensity.
Tesla has said in the past this is not a problem. The automaker explained that the headlights were only partially sealed and that condensation would disappear once the car was on and lights were lit.
This may be true but it does not really make you feel at ease. The cost of replacing headlights is high. The problem was resolved by replacing the light bulbs. This raises the question: Are the Model 3 headlights really sealed or are they faulty and accumulating condensation inside?
NextMove, a German EV rental firm, canceled a massive Model 3 order and cited condensation in the headlights.
If you are concerned about this, keep your electric vehicle in a heated garage, or replace the headlights. Neither of these options will prevent condensation.
4. The Lights are Too Bright and Annoying to Other Drivers
Model 3s are equipped with high beams and strong lights. Other drivers have asked owners to turn them off even when the high beams were not on.
Do not lower the intensity of your headlights and beams to appease other drivers. It may be necessary to adjust the headlights on your screen. You may need to lower the headlights if they are pointing upwards. This may cause other drivers to be annoyed.
5. One of the headlights won't work
This one is easy to fix... It's broken.
It's a pity, right? Under your 4-year or 50,000 mile warranty, headlights are covered. (As far as I am aware, you'll have to contact your Tesla service center for confirmation).
You don't even have to drive. The mobile service team will come to you and replace your headlight. The rim does need to be removed, but the Tesla team is very professional.
Replace your headlights as soon as you can. You could be pulled over or worse, get into an accident.
6. Headlights turning on and off at night
The story behind this headlight problem is funny. The problem was not funny, but the way the public responded to it.
In some cases, while parked with the Model 3 completely off, the Model 3's headlight would turn on and off. This led to a list of interesting conspiracies and theories.
Online, answers ranged from the hackers spelling out initials to the artificial intelligence of the car communicating in Morse Code with other cars around it to anecdotal replies like the little man is having a vivid nightmare.
This is a common problem with headlights that has a few simple causes and solutions.
1. Model 3's running the 201850 software may have this issue.
Solution: Update to the latest version.
2. The Sentry mode has been activated: Your Tesla is equipped with a fantastic feature called Sentry Mode, which records all activities in and around your vehicle to a flash drive that's already installed. The car will still alert you to the problem and turn on the headlights. It also plays loud music in order to scare off potential intruders.
Solution: Make sure Sentry Mode in your Tesla App is turned off (if you are experiencing headlights that go on and off).
3. You're cold: Extremely cold temperatures, such as those in Colorado or Canada, could cause your headlights or turn on or off while you drive.
Solution: keep your Model 3 in an heated garage.
We want to be clear about this. Your car is not self-aware. If it were, the hacker would have unlocked your car. Each of the above causes can be easily fixed.
7. The headlight looks like it's going to pop out
This is more of an irritation. There's not much you can change about headlights which look and feel like they're sticking out. This is because Tesla made this design choice.
You will have to accept that your Model 3 is designed this way, even if it feels like it is popping out of your hand. To be honest, I really like the design of the front of my Tesla. The car looks fast and sleek because it's curvy and tight.
You're done! What you can do to fix the 7 most common issues with a Tesla Model 3's headlights. This is an amazing car, and a few flickers of water or drops are not a big deal when you think about all you get when you buy a Model 3. Be sure to fix any headlight problems immediately.
