2019 Tesla Model 3: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Driver assistance · MO

My vehicle was working fine when Tesla issued an over-the-air software update recently. The next day, my backup camera was not working. The back up camera is required for this vehicle under FMVSS 111 and is otherwise essential for this vehicle due to limited rear vision through the rear window. In addition, GPS/navigation stopped working, the windshield wipers did not function on certain settings and the display was at times not legible, presumably because it believed it was a different time of day and was in the wrong mode. There are likely additional issues that have not revealed themselves yet. I took the vehicle to the local Tesla Service Center on July 25, 2025. They confirmed the reported issues and said it was a problem with the software update, which they would perform onsite while I waited. The service center personnel also stated this was not a firmware issue or anything to do with my car and that it was just the software update. After a few hours, the personnel reported they could not get the update to install and asked that I bring the vehicle back the following week for further diagnostics. Before I brought the vehicle back, I was sent an invoice for approximately $2,300 for replacement of on vehicle's computer. I brought the vehicle back today, July 29, 2025, and asked them to perform the onsite diagnostics they wanted me to bring the vehicle back in for and did not agree to pay for the computer replacement. I also informed the Tesla personnel that, at a minimum, the the back up camera failure is a safety related issued covered for this vehicle under FMVSS 111 and that they were not permitted to charge me for fixing it. The vehicle warranty period recently expired but it is well within the 10-year date of manufacture. Other issues with the vehicle may also qualify as safety related, but the back up camera is clearly one - Tesla recently issued a recall for this very same problem impacting the Model 3, but the recall did not include my model year.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Lights, Visibility · IL

We own a 2019 Tesla model 3 which had a left front headlight stop working (headlight, turn signal, and daytime running light). As soon as the headlight went out the windshield wipers stopped working. The vehicle does not have fuses but the headlight and wipers share a wiring circuit. I thought it might be a coincidence but found several of the same issues on a google search. It is beyond ridiculous that lowing a headlight at night would cause your wipers to stop working. Its bad enough to have a reduction in visibility due to a light going out but to have the windshield wipers tied to the headlight causing them to stop working is nothing short of reckless. The warning stating the turn signal needed to be serviced and to make an appointment came on when the light stopped working. I own an automotive repair shop so I ordered the headlight assembly and installed it, the lights then worked and not surprisingly so did the windshield wipers.

Filed Nov 18, 2023 · Visibility · FL

Automatic windshield wipers have not worked since a firmware update several months ago. Unfortunately, the touchscreen controls for the wipers are not easily accessible and that makes it difficult to control them while driving. Drivers are required to take their eyes off the road to adjust the wipers. Making matters worse, the buttons are small, low contrast, and difficult to press while the car is in motion. These touchscreen controls are the only method for operating wipers. Do to the way the controls work, automatic wipers are a necessity for safe driving in bad weather. I live in an area with frequent rain so this is a serious issue. I have reported the issue to Tesla at least twice and they continue to say it is a “known firmware characteristic” with no ETA for a fix.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Visibility · CT

The automatic windshield wiper feature fails to properly respond to rain intensity. The wipers turn on when it is perfectly dry outside, causing premature wear. On the other hand, when it is actually raining out, the wipers consistently and ongoingly activate at a much lower frequency than necessary to keep the windshield clear, resulting in forward visibility of close to zero in most situations. Tesla ran diagnostics on the wiper system and determined that my vehicle's hardware and equipment is functioning properly, despite all the problems.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · NC

On several occasions in the past 2 months, the display on my Tesla mode 3 has gone blank while driving. One on occasion, the display which is the only source of your driving speed info went blank during a rain storm at night. At the same time, the vehicle also lost its auto wipers and turn signals. This made driving very unsafe . I was on a highway in a long construction zone with no way to pull off the highway.It was several minutes before the screen rebooted and returned to normal. I have attempted to have Tesla correct this problem but they have told me that I must provide them with the exact time and date this occurs as they cannot go through lines of code to diagnose the issue. Blanking displays is a known issue. The service person I communicated with would not provide me with their phone number to discuss his dangerous issue. The advised me that without me telling them exactly when this happened they would not attempt a resolution. Help !!

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Visibility · TX

Wiper don't work as expected on auto, and changing setting on the screen it's very dangerous in severe weather as you need to click the button, look to the screen while visibility almost zero and choose the speed while driving. This is very unsafe and almost I make accidents because of that. Solution is to let users change speed from steering scroll after hit the physical button on the indicators stick.

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Visibility · 18,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the manufacturer had provided a new software update for the vehicle. The contact stated that the update made it difficult to use some functions. The contact was concerned that he had to take his eyes off the road to use the windshield wipers, defroster, and other features. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 27, 2021 · Visibility · CA

update 2021.44.25.2 hid the defrost, defog, windshield wiper controls. these are safety concerns for me. the update also hid the seat heaters which is irritating but only a safety concern if i get cold and become distracted.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Visibility · 4,300 miles · OR

In sudden heavy rain on busy highway (i5), the auto wipers wouldn't go on. To switch to manual or control wipers manually requires driver to take their eyes off the road for a significant amount of time to make 2 precise selections on touch screen. It was a bumpy-ish road and this required me to take my eyes off the road for even longer to click on correct wiper mode selection. It was a very dangerous situation to be in heavy traffic to lose visibility and then have to take my eyes off the road to navigate a touch screen. The real issue is that navigating the touch screen is like using a smartphone while driving and should not be required critical safety functions.