2021 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 22V050000Feb 2, 202226,681 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:AIR HANDLER/CHAMBER, DUCTS, AND VALVES

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

  Risk: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026ILBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers

   The power liftgate strut failed in normal use and bent the trunk liftgate, which now strikes the rear glass every time the trunk opens or closes. The vehicle has not been in a crash and the trunk was not obstructed or misused. The driver-side power strut stopped operating and the trunk would not open or close properly. On 10/8/2026 Tesla Service (Buffalo Grove, IL) inspected the vehicle. The service record states the liftgate power strut was stuck in the closed position…

   NHTSA complaint #11769953 · source
2. Filed Sep 16, 2026ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   After a Tesla-delivered over-the-air software update, my 2021 Tesla Model 3 equipped with Hardware 3 experienced loss of the rear-view camera along with other camera and Autopilot-related functions. The exact date the condition first appeared is unknown, but it occurred after the software update. Camera calibration later became stuck and resets/recalibration did not restore functionality. Tesla Service inspected and reproduced the problem. Tesla documented camera alerts,…

   NHTSA complaint #11764750 · source
3. Filed Aug 31, 2026ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   Tesla replaced the windshield on my 2021 Model 3 at the Tesla Service Center in Schaumburg, IL. Days after the installation, following a light rain, a film appeared on the exterior surface of the glass. In the presence of moisture the film hazes over and substantially obscures forward visibility from the driver's seat. The first occurrence was on 8/22/2026 while leaving a venue in heavy pedestrian traffic. Forward visibility was significantly degraded. During that drive the…

   NHTSA complaint #11761153 · source
4. Filed Jan 15, 2026MNOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   HVAC system went out at 7500ish miles. It was repaired under warranty, and a "fix" was administered through software by tesla. My HVAC has gone out again at 84k miles FOR THE SAME REASON. about 77k miles after it was just repaired. Quick check online. this is still a very common issue. No heat creates a significant safety hazard due to lack of the ability to defrost the vehicle or frost building up on cold days.

   NHTSA complaint #11711146 · source
5. Filed Dec 19, 2025ORVisibility & Wipers

   -- Summarized Explanation The automatic windshield wiper system behaves unpredictably and creates unsafe driving conditions. Wipers frequently activate when there is no rain, operate at excessive speeds during light rain, and, most critically, fail to activate during active rainfall. These failures reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash. Automatic wipers are forcibly enabled whenever cruise control or Autopilot is activated, regardless of…

   NHTSA complaint #11706220 · source
6. Filed Jul 3, 2025WAVisibility & Wipers

   The interior rearview mirror exhibits tiny bubbles around the edges and streaking or cloudiness within the layered structure of the auto-dimming (electrochromic) mirror. The problem has occurred in multiple potential replacement mirrors, indicating a design or manufacturing defect. The issue first appeared as small bubbles around the outer edge, then progressed to visible streaking and cloudiness within the mirror surface. These symptoms impair rear visibility, particularly…

   NHTSA complaint #11671080 · source
7. Filed Apr 5, 2025MAVisibility & Wipers

   Rear window defroster is permanently broken. Tesla made 10 attempts to repair it over the past year+ and it is still not fixed. Under certain weather conditions, there is zero visibility through the rear window.

   NHTSA complaint #11652928 · source
8. Filed Mar 2, 2025MOVisibility & Wipers

   The defrost function on the computer went crazy and cracked the windshield in the morning, covered in snow. - It’s hard to see out of, and Tesla said it’s not covered even though it’s only 6 months old and to just drive it. - No, they want $1600 to look at it. I can’t get them to agree to look at it, but don’t give up. - no the defrost was slow and low, as winter is with no issues. So it snowed a lot in KC, MO. I keep my heat at 60 degrees and the fan on low. I unlocked my…

   NHTSA complaint #11645788 · source
9. Filed May 1, 2024VABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   Tesla ADAS detects non existent objects and issues collision alerts and phantom brakes randomly if there is no cars in front of the Tesla, braking abruptly and almost getting me into rear end accidents. Tesla ADAS freaks out when making lane changes randomly, shaking violently and giving the driver and its passengers a fishtailing simulation. Auto wiper triggers randomly while it's sunny, distracting the driver and forcing an interaction on the center console to stop it.…

   NHTSA complaint #11586244 · source
10. Filed Feb 29, 2024NJVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving in the rain, there was an auto rain-sensing feature on the vehicle that was inoperable. The contact stated that the front windshield wipers did not automatically turn on while it was raining and that the auto rain-sensing feature worked intermittently. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the unreliability of the auto rain-sensing feature, but stated it was a Beta feature. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11574681 · source
11. Filed Feb 17, 2024CAVisibility & Wipers

    Auto windshield wipers do not turn on often when raining or misting. I constantly have to change the settings which takes my eyes off the road often. Very poor and unsafe system

    NHTSA complaint #11572553 · source
12. Filed Feb 5, 2024CAVisibility & Wipers

    Auto wipers do not speed up in heavy rain forcing me to manually change the speed which can be dangerous while driving on the highway in heavy rain.

    NHTSA complaint #11570164 · 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