2013 Tesla Model S visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V035000Jan 29, 2021134,951 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

  Risk: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 2, 202395,500 miCADriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the center display screen malfunctioned, causing the rearview camera to intermittently fail. Additionally, the failure caused a delay while switching gears to drive(D) and to park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined through the Tesla App that the VCM daughterboard…

   NHTSA complaint #11505178 · source
2. Filed Sep 20, 2022123,864 miCADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the recall repair was performed twice however, the vehicle experienced an unknown computer failure. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the seats moved independently. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat…

   NHTSA complaint #11485517 · source
3. Filed Apr 22, 2022CAElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   I brought in the car to be parked as part of NHTSA Recall No. 21V-035. The "fix" provided has led to my center console in the Model S to shutdown completely. I contacted Tesla to inform them that their fix as part of the recall has actually led to more problems.

   NHTSA complaint #11461840 · source
4. Filed Feb 22, 2022VADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…

   NHTSA complaint #11453426 · source
5. Filed Jul 6, 2021120,000 miOHDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) unit became inoperable causing the vehicle to stall. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the VCM unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated 18 months later, he received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V035000 (Back over prevention,…

   NHTSA complaint #11423549 · source
6. Filed Jan 25, 2021CAElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   Backing up mcu fail backup camera failed almost back on a kid ran behind my car while i was looking down at a disabled screen. Driving to tesla service department main screen failed due to computer car crippled to minimal safety control. Car now in service tesla require me to pay $1500 for new mcu2 instead of recalling and replace the defective mcu.

   NHTSA complaint #11389928 · source
7. Filed Nov 17, 2020145,000 miOHElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   My vehicle has the issue with the emmc chip being too small to handle all the logging tesla was doing and now it's starting to fail. When it completely fails i won't be able to defog the windshield, the heat and ac won't work, the turn signals won't work and i won't be able to charge the vehicle. I got an email from tesla saying my car doesn't qualify car the warranty adjustment program due to miles but it's within the years. This needs to be a recall regardless of miles.…

   NHTSA complaint #11375033 · source
8. Filed Nov 16, 2020115,000 miCAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers

   I own a 2013 tesla model s that has lost the mcu and will no longer charge. In addition, the mcu causes the touch screen to open very slowly. I have complained and tesla would not replace the mcu and not compensate me for the inability to charge the car. The original complaint was that the touchscreen would not come on at all. I could not see any information whatsoever, during tesla's attempt to fix the screen, i lost the ability to charge the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11374941 · source
9. Filed Nov 16, 202060,000 miCAElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The main/center screen blacks out on my tesla, which is where all the car controls and back-up camera is viewed. Even when it doesn't completely black out, the back up camera doesn't function as it just stays frozen a lot of the time. Outside of the backup camera issues, all other functions, like turning on or off headlights is also impacted. At other times it seems like it impacts charging the car, which can leave me dead if i cannot charge. Other functions have also been…

   NHTSA complaint #11374928 · source
10. Filed Oct 7, 202069,000 miMAAirbagsLightingVisibility & Wipers

    The media control unit (mcu) in my 2013 tesla model s stopped working when i rebooted the car while stationary (commonly needed to restore lost functionality), apparently due to a failure of the embedded multi-media card (emmc) memory. As part of this failure, the turn signals did not work when i later went to drive the car, the passenger airbag defaulted to 'off' (pic attached), and the hvac system (including the windshield defroster) defaulted to an unknown setting and…

    NHTSA complaint #11363170 · source
11. Filed Oct 6, 202090,000 miNCLightingSuspensionVisibility & Wipers

    Was supercharging about 7 hours away from home, my screen turned off and would not reboot.. The dreaded mcu failure every tesla owner fears, and every service center pretends does not exist. My car would not power off, as we were at the beach my a/c was on full blast. My car was now driveable with no key, and the doors would not lock whatsoever. Anyone with or without a key could just walk up touch the handle and get into my car. I had to stay close to superchargers as my…

    NHTSA complaint #11363100 · source
12. Filed Sep 27, 202055,841 miCALightingOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

    Mcu main computer failed, prevented me from using defrost couldn't see while driving almost caused an accident as my entire front window view got block. The mcu allows you to use the screen which lets you turn on defrost. Very dangerous situation. This also controls your headlights.

    NHTSA complaint #11361430 · 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