2020 Tesla Model 3 visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V702000Sep 19, 20221,096,762 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

  Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

• Recall 21V00D000Dec 21, 2021356,309 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

  Risk: A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-17-008.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 5, 2026NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   My Tesla Model 3 was brought to Tesla Princeton Service Center on February 27, 2025 for a 12V battery replacement. During the service visit, Tesla also replaced the rear glass, citing the rear defroster as the root cause of the battery drain — a repair that was added without prior discussion and increased the total invoice from an original estimate of $180 to a final charge of $1,730. Upon picking up the vehicle, the rear backup camera, blind spot cameras, navigation system,…

   NHTSA complaint #11722273 · source
2. Filed Dec 15, 202569,215 miORDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed.…

   NHTSA complaint #11705132 · source
3. Filed Jun 23, 2025NVVisibility & Wipers

   I am reporting a spontaneous windshield crack that developed on my 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance under normal operating conditions. After exiting a routine drive-through car wash in Las Vegas on a hot day, I noticed a hairline crack in the windshield. It originates from the very bottom edge within the black ceramic frit area, curves upward, and spans across the glass. There are no impact points, chips, or pits of any kind. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service, where the…

   NHTSA complaint #11668723 · source
4. Filed Apr 1, 2024MDVisibility & Wipers

   A crack appeared on the interior of the windshield, with no marks of any exterior impact and no external crack or other mark on either surface of the windshield. The crack originated directly from the windshield positioned camera/rear view mirror.

   NHTSA complaint #11580472 · source
5. Filed Jan 21, 2024NYVisibility & Wipers

   The windshield wipers do not have proper functional control. There is no adequate manual control over the windshield wipers without being distracting, further more the windshield wipers constantly put themselves in "auto" mode when you turn them off. This causes unnecessary distraction while driving and because the only feedback you have is either on the main touch screen or the bottom left touch screen this is a severe safety issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11566764 · source
6. Filed Jan 12, 2024IDVisibility & Wipers

   Tesla vehicles have an automatic wiper mode that is supposed to clear the windshield, without driver intervention, when it becomes obscured due to rain, snow, or water buildup. While driving on December 19, 2023, our Model 3 was passed by a large truck, throwing a large amount of water across the windshield. When this happened, the forward visibility was completely obscured momentarily. The automatic wipers did not clear the windshield as expected. The vision was obscured…

   NHTSA complaint #11565165 · source
7. Filed Dec 6, 2023CAVisibility & Wipers

   Currently occurring with FSD Beta firmware V.2022.27.12 but the same has occurred with previous firmware versions also. Normal operation of the vehicle with the ADAS engaged puts the windshield wipers into AUTO mode. At times the windshield wipers are activated when the windshield is dry. It isn't raining or misting and there's nothing on the surface of the windshield at the location of the front-facing cameras. "No rain" occurrences seem to correlate with times when…

   NHTSA complaint #11558753 · source
8. Filed Nov 16, 2023CALightingVisibility & Wipers

   FSD Beta Firmware Version 2023.27.7. -- When operating with FSD Beta in control of the vehicle, the turn signal is activated and the appropriate left or right side blind spot video is brought upon the driver's display automatically. This works perfectly for city street lane changes and turns at intersections or driveways, etc. When operating on a controlled access highway the systems works in the same manner, activating the turn signal and displaying the blind spot video on…

   NHTSA complaint #11555494 · source
9. Filed Oct 13, 2023WAVisibility & Wipers

   The automatic windshield wipers are not picking up rain - at all. Living in a raining area, it caused me to no have clear visibility and on the Tesla you have to manually change the mode on the screen, which causes you to take your eyes off the road. Tesla has known about this but not issued a warning (See screenshot from tesla service agent). Luckily an accident didnt occur but this is an overall safety issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11549744 · source
10. Filed Jun 13, 2023TXOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

    Rear windshield developed a stress crack. No incident was involved, it just suddenly appeared. It ran about 1/3 of the rear window. I was concerned the glass would fall in on infant passenger seated in a car seat in the back seat. This appears to be a common glass problem for Tesla.

    NHTSA complaint #11526867 · source
11. Filed Jun 12, 2023MDDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

    The automatic windshield wipers came on and would not shut off. The car was clean, the day was sunny, and the camera lenses were free of dust or anything else that could cover them. While driving along, the wipers started and would not shut off. I went into the main monitor/screen that has the wiper settings but I was not able to activate the wiper/off button, so the wipers kept working. Pressing on that button would not activate it. I was in autopilot at the time, i.e.,…

    NHTSA complaint #11526530 · source
12. Filed Jun 1, 2023AZVisibility & Wipers

    Windshield wipers routinely start "auto-wiping", even while turned off. I've reported this to Tesla many times and nothing is done. Plenty of evidence online that others have this same problem. I live in Phoenix, Arizona so when I say my windshield is dry, I mean it's DRY. Leaving out how distracting it is to have your wipers refusing to quit wiping, it's also wearing out the wiper blades so they're not efficient when actually needed. I've already replaced them once a year…

    NHTSA complaint #11524876 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology