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Tesla Model Y Trailer Brake Lights Won't Work

NHTSA campaign 20V609000 · Reported Sep 30, 2020 · Tesla, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Brake lights on the trailer that don't come on when you brake make it harder for other drivers to know you're slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V609000
Reported to NHTSA	Sep 30, 2020
Manufacturer	Tesla, Inc.
Part affected	Exterior Lighting
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer; this one can be delivered as an over-the-air software update

What's wrong, in plain English

On certain 2020 Tesla Model Y vehicles equipped with a global rear lamp and tow package, a software error keeps the trailer brake lights from turning on. Because the brake lights on an attached trailer may not light up when you brake, the vehicle does not meet a federal safety standard for lights and reflective equipment. This increases the risk of a crash.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm it's part of this recall.
2. If you have questions, contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
3. The fix is a free over-the-air software update, at no cost to you.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V609000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2020 Tesla Model Y

Who to contact

Tesla — official Tesla recall lookup

Customer service: 1-877-798-3752

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Tesla Exterior Lighting Recalls Cover Failed Lamps and Excessive Brightness · all 5 Tesla recalls in this area

Other Tesla Model Y recalls

Sep 1, 2026Tesla Model Y Front Suspension Connections May Loosenhigh
Aug 5, 2026Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Headlights Too Brighthigh
Jul 7, 2026Model 3 Vehicles Missing Required Safety Featureshigh
May 19, 2026Tesla Model Y Missing Vehicle Certification Labelmedium
May 5, 2026Tesla Model 3, S and Y rearview camera image delayedmedium
Oct 10, 2025Tesla Model Y Battery Contacts May Failhigh

All 33 Model Y recalls

Official notice

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020 Model Y vehicles equipped with a global rear lamp and tow package configuration. A software error prevents the illumination of trailer brake lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety risk: Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. (over-the-air software update)

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.