2014 Tesla Model S lighting 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 May 1, 2026TXEngineLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   Motor suddenly failed after a required update while driving, nearly causing a crash with multiple commercial vehicles and pedestrians, leaving brake lights dangerously always on and alarm sounding, killed 12v as well.

   NHTSA complaint #11735218 · source
2. Filed Dec 17, 2025ORElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   I am the current owner of a 2014 Tesla Model S equipped with MCU1. While driving, including at freeway speeds, the center touchscreen has rebooted unexpectedly, showing only the Tesla logo before recovering. During these reboots, critical vehicle functions are unavailable, including the rearview camera, HVAC/defrost controls, and other essential features. This failure matches the exact safety defect described in NHTSA Recall 21V-035 related to the MCU/eMMC failure. I…

   NHTSA complaint #11705673 · source
3. Filed Aug 13, 2025100,000 miVADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the digital screen intermittently blacked out and several safety features were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the resort block remained at 90%, and the same EMMC ID that should have been covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting);…

   NHTSA complaint #11680333 · source
4. Filed Jan 13, 2024TXLighting

   Defective brake light seal went bad, brake light is filling with water and broke red LEDs right away, family is now not safe from rear colissions and Tesla wants $1000. Thank you

   NHTSA complaint #11565377 · source
5. Filed Jul 25, 2022FLElectrical SystemLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2014 Tesla Model S is an unsafe vehicle as my dash goes black constantly and I lose control of the car safety items included in the dash panel such as speed, back up camera, visibility and power train. I have complained many times but Tesla does not respond with results that will make the car safe again.

   NHTSA complaint #11475648 · source
6. Filed Feb 14, 2022CADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated she was unable to start the…

   NHTSA complaint #11451931 · source
7. Filed Dec 2, 2020149,000 miCAElectrical SystemLightingSuspension

   My suspension is constantly making sounds and after taking to tesla it was 3rd time it has been determined that the fore link, control arm and bushings have gone out. I repaired it and now seems the problem is back

   NHTSA complaint #11377568 · source
8. Filed Oct 8, 2020CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

   Tesla cpu failure is causing car to have issues. Bluetooth will not connect, car will not unlock, lights do not work- either are stuck on or off, blinkers do not work, back up camera does not work, air conditioning is stuck on which drains battery, cannot charge the car when it is not responding as charging port will not unlock. Car has essentially turned into a brick with <60,000 miles. Very disappointed in tesla. These happen both when vehicle is moving and stationary.

   NHTSA complaint #11363349 · source
9. Filed Sep 28, 202049,000 miSCLighting

   Large screen stopped responding, turn signals stopped working. Had to pull over and reboot. Next day screen showed a lot of artifacts and i had to reboot again to remedy.

   NHTSA complaint #11361613 · source
10. Filed Sep 4, 2020156,000 miNCLightingSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The center screen turned off, and the climate control system, traction control, steering control, and most others systems could no longer be changed from what appears to be random settings. I believe this is referred to as either the emmc or mcu failure. Tesla's roadside assistance would not tow the car and told me to drive it to the service center. The service center says the repair is not covered by the 8 year unlimited mile warranty because the drive train is not affected…

    NHTSA complaint #11353125 · source
11. Filed Aug 18, 202061,882 miUTElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

    Failure of touchscreen. Dashboard display at -5 brightness, could not see the information. No turn signals and no reverse camera. Loss of control to air/heating, sunroof, music, garage door control. Tesla remote diagnostics team determined the mcu had an internal fault and would need to be replaced.

    NHTSA complaint #11350080 · source
12. Filed Aug 1, 2020107,484 miCAElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

    Drove out of town and parked the vehicle in driveway for about 5 hours, when i retuned to drive it back (10 pm) center touch screen was blank. I noticed that there was loss of function of nearly everything in the vehicle. I could still drive it but with ability to use turn signal lights, or headlights (very dangerous drive at night). Steering wheel buttons, ac, audio, phone bluetooth, and all controls of the vehicle were completely lost. It was 90 degrees outside that night…

    NHTSA complaint #11342704 · 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