2021 Tesla Model Y 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 3, 2026MDDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   On October 1, 2026, immediately after my 2021 Tesla Model Y installed Tesla software update 2026.32.7, the driver-assist computer entered a continuous boot loop. All eight vehicle cameras went black (confirmed in the vehicle's Service Mode), the rear camera displays 'camera temporarily unavailable,' Autosteer will not engage, and the vehicle shows alert UI_a114 for degraded driving visualization. All camera-dependent driver-assist and safety features are inoperative. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11768773 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026CAVisibility & Wipers

   In Sep 2026, the driver’s side door window malfunctioned while the car was stopped and the door was opened. The malfunction caused the window to roll all the way up while the door was open, where the window should have “indexed” and stayed rolled down about an inch. When the door was closed, the window, being all the way up, contacted the door frame, shattering the window and badly scratching the door frame. Key facts: A.The incident occurred while the car was stopped and…

   NHTSA complaint #11767915 · source
3. Filed May 8, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   My 2021 Tesla Model Y HW3 experienced complete failure of all cameras, GPS, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control following the installation of software update 2026.8.6.1 — the OTA remedy update issued by Tesla for NHTSA Recall 26V283000. The vehicle was fully functional prior to this update. The failure was confirmed and reproduced by Tesla's authorized service center. The service advisor confirmed in writing: "During the update, the computer failed to…

   NHTSA complaint #11736560 · source
4. Filed Jan 9, 2026NVDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   I noticed the windshield washer nozzle on the passenger side isn't either working or not there. I reached out to Tesla, and also stopped by a Local Dealership and they told me that it would cost me out of pocket, since it's out of warranty. Secondly, the left side driver repeater camera has a Glare when turned at night time only. which is quite dangerous due to very less visibility due to the Glare of the Turn signal light that causes the repeater camera to function…

   NHTSA complaint #11709822 · source
5. Filed Dec 15, 2025FLElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   In May 2025, Tesla pushed an over-the-air (OTA) software update overnight while the vehicle was parked. When the vehicle was started the following morning, the update had failed mid-process and stalled at approximately 50%. Immediately upon startup, the backup camera and navigation/maps stopped functioning. The vehicle has been unable to complete subsequent software updates since. Tesla service later inspected the vehicle and indicated that the main computer/ECU was stuck in…

   NHTSA complaint #11705202 · source
6. Filed Mar 24, 2025CAVisibility & Wipers

   In 2024 Tesla sent an over-the-air software update to my 2021 Model Y that gave us a month of free "full self driving." We did not ask for this. At the end of the 30 days, our cameras and GPS system failed. The Service Center said they had never seen this before despite many reports online posted by other Teslas owners. Tesla service said it was not fixable and recommended replacing computer at a cost to me of $2500. Now Tesla has posted a safety recall for this exact…

   NHTSA complaint #11650338 · source
7. Filed Mar 21, 2025WAVisibility & Wipers

   The windshield will fog up often due to moisture, which is made worse by activating the mechanism the Tesla model Y has for defogging, and rolling the windows down does little. This put my safety at risk when my visibility was compromised by this while driving on the highway, when I had to navigate and pull into the breakdown lane using teslas cameras. There were no warning lights, and this vehicle part has not yet been inspected. Since this issue has happened on residential…

   NHTSA complaint #11649840 · source
8. Filed Feb 23, 2025MNElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   The heat pump stopped working twice, which requires a trip to the service center and the repair to restore function is a minimum of $3,000. The vehical has no heat at all, no defrost, no cabin heat nothing! This defect happens in the coldest parts of winter and leaves the owner stranded wherever this occurs. The first time was at 52,000 miles. It wouldn't turn on. The heat pump seized. The second time was on a trip, it blow out all the freon and stopped working in Waterloo,…

   NHTSA complaint #11644352 · source
9. Filed Jan 15, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   The rear view camera didn't work, neither did the windshield wiper. When turning left or right, the sensors did not display anything, the display no longer displayed any distances to other cars, proximity lines, nor speed limits. GPS also did not work. The problems were confirmed by the dealer (and fixed), but they charged us even though the incident involved a software update on their part that made most advanced safety features unavailable available. When we tried to…

   NHTSA complaint #11636003 · source
10. Filed Jun 2, 2024NJVisibility & Wipers

    The automated wipers will stop working when it is raining making it very difficult to see the road and traffic, and they will start working when the windshield is dry. The speed that the wipers work at is also inconsistent - speeding up and slowing down even though the rate of precipitation has not changed. This happens randomly, and after learning that other Tesla Y owners have also had this happen to them, I suspect that this is a common issue in the Tesla Y’s wiper system…

    NHTSA complaint #11592029 · source
11. Filed May 21, 202458,044 miTXElectrical SystemEngineVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 20–45 MPH on a six-lane highway, the contact attempted a hard acceleration, and there was an abnormal banging sound heard. The battery was disconnected. The pyrotechnic fuse went into failure mode. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle slowed down, pulsated, and then shut down. The hazard lights, steering, and brake system became inoperable. The brake pedal was depressed to stop the…

    NHTSA complaint #11589951 · source
12. Filed Feb 23, 2024VADriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

    I often experience significant lag for rearview camera and the turn signal indicator lights. Sometimes it takes up to 10 seconds for the rearview camera view to come up. It's dangerous because it's hard to tell if the car is in reverse or not. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to change gear. I have similar experience with the turn signal indicators. It takes multiple attempts for the signals to come up, or there is often significant delay on when I turn on the signal and…

    NHTSA complaint #11573549 · 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