2017 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 Oct 1, 2026123,000 miILDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving, attempting to park or reverse the vehicle, the screen froze or went blank. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11768292 · source
2. Filed Aug 24, 2025NJElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   Tesla originally confirmed issues with the MCU1 system in my vehicle and upgraded it to MCU2. I Paid $1,599 for the repair/upgrade. Since then, the center screen has continued shutting off while driving. When this happens, the instrument cluster and controls go dark, I cannot see my speed, use the blinkers to signal, operate the AC/defroster, or access other critical vehicle functions. This has occurred multiple times on highways, including US-22 in New Jersey, which created…

   NHTSA complaint #11682696 · source
3. Filed Dec 11, 2023NCVisibility & Wipers

   After the latest software update, the intermittent settings on the windshield wipers no longer work. At 10:15am on December 11, the Tesla Service group confirmed in a message that this is a known firmware characteristic. There is no ETA on a new firmware update to correct the issue. There notice states that it is an issue with the auto wiper feature, but the wiper does not work in manual mode either. Initially, they stated that they could inspect the car in a few days. Now…

   NHTSA complaint #11559450 · source
4. Filed Aug 7, 202386,000 miKYDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 MPH, the back over prevention camera showed a completely black screen. The dealer was made aware of…

   NHTSA complaint #11536935 · source
5. Filed Oct 30, 2022TXElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to…

   NHTSA complaint #11491517 · source
6. Filed Jul 7, 202213,715 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) and the vehicle was taken to the local Tesla Service Center for recall repair however, upon picking up the vehicle, the center display screen turned black and was no longer operative. The vehicle was taken back to the Tesla Service Center where it was diagnosed that the computer chip that allowed the…

   NHTSA complaint #11472815 · source
7. Filed Jun 20, 2022VAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   Went to back into charger and back up camera still showed photo from where car was parked at home before I started my trip. I noticed a car behind me in mirror but picture showed no cars (and wrong location).

   NHTSA complaint #11470066 · source
8. Filed Dec 10, 202155,000 miCTElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the center display would inadvertently turn blank and the dashboard lights would turn off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to turn off the center display and turn it back on. The contact stated that the center display software was reset but failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA…

   NHTSA complaint #11443358 · source
9. Filed Oct 13, 202158,000 miORDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, an unknown dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 55-65 MPH, the navigation screen inadvertently turned blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact also stated…

   NHTSA complaint #11436612 · source
10. Filed Aug 13, 2021WADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2017 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the center console and display screen would go…

    NHTSA complaint #11428960 · source
11. Filed Jun 10, 202118,000 miNYDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2017 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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had…

    NHTSA complaint #11420419 · source
12. Filed May 27, 202140,000 miFLDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the instrument panel went blank and the contact was unable to control any electronic features inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the Back Over Prevention warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he experienced the failure several times per week. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the software needed to be updated. The contact received…

    NHTSA complaint #11418717 · 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