2026 Tesla Model Y Complaint

Owner's description

Tesla vehicles include an “ambient light” feature called Sync with Music. When enabled, the cabin lights pulsate, flash, and change intensity in rhythm with the audio being played. While marketed as a visual enhancement, this mode is extremely distracting when the vehicle is in motion. The constantly strobing and pulsating lights inside the cabin draw the driver’s attention away from the road, especially during night driving when the effect is brightest. Details of the Issue: •The light pulses are highly dynamic and mimic stage lighting or flashing effects, which compete for the driver’s visual attention. •The distraction is more severe in low-light or nighttime driving conditions, where the contrast between the pulsating interior lights and the dark environment is stark. •The rapid changes in brightness and color can momentarily impair night vision when the driver looks back toward the windshield. •There does not appear to be a safety lockout that prevents the mode from operating while the car is in motion. Safety Concern: This feature increases visual distraction for the driver and may impair safe operation of the motor vehicle. The flashing lights could also pose a potential risk for individuals sensitive to strobe effects or conditions like photosensitive epilepsy. Allowing this mode to run while driving is a safety hazard. Request: NHTSA should investigate whether Tesla’s Sync with Music ambient light feature complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards related to driver distraction and interior illumination, and whether restrictions should be placed on its use when the vehicle is not in “Park.”

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