I recently had my Tesla Model S serviced due to the touchscreen going blank (losing functionality of defrosting, temperature, sunroof, and a list of other issues). Driving with a fogged up window is dangerous. Thank you to the federal safety agency for forcing Tesla to replace it free of charge. Unfortunately, it appears that Tesla is not replacing it with a new unit. Instead it is a refurbished unit. Just days after servicing I got in the car to drive and the following error comes up on the touchscreen: "Center display memory storage device is degraded. Without repair, center display may enter limited functionality mode and only display rear view camera. When in limited functionality mode, it may be required to press brake for 30 seconds or press key fob unlock to authorize drive. Please use the Tesla Mobile App to schedule service." I find this quite troublesome and felt it worthy to apprise the federal safety agency that Tesla is clearly not abiding by its requests.
2012 Tesla Model S electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 37 of 37, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tesla has rejected my claim for repayment for the emmc repair that I paid for that was performed by their Toledo, OH Service Center prior to the recall. I've tried contacting them as outlined in their recall correspondence but haven't received an explanation as to why I don't qualify. The repair was performed on 8/28/2020 on repair order#3000s0001353764.
eMMU seem to have caused "Console display not available error"
I was driving on the freeway over the hill the vehicle shut down on me and it was 43% on the battery and it keeps showing the yellow on the dash saying that battery is overheating
I reached out to tesla about the emmc recall. I booked an appointment, provided photos of various blackout, screen freezing and loss of connectivity issues. Tesla instructed me to update the firmware (which I did) and cancelled my appointment and told me I did not to bring in the car. They also said they would contact me if my emmc needed replacement. However, I continued to have this problem and left a message in the tesla and did not get a response.
On november 23rd 2020 I took my model s ([xxx]) to tesla service center lancaster, pa for the tesla warranty adjustment program which was announced on november 9th and related to malfunctioning touchscreen due to a malfunctioning emmc. This is the result of the service visit; 1) tesla lancaster, pa service center told me my vehicle is not in the warranty parameters (the tesla warranty adjustment program stated 8years/100k miles. My car has less than 100k miles and initial delivery was november 24th 2012 - so tesla lancaster, pa was wrong about this as service date was november 23rd, 2020) 2) tesla lancaster, pa service center stated "the vehicle is not equipped with the emmc" (a 2012 model s has to have some type of memory device in it - I would expect it to be an emmc of some sort. The november "warranty adjustment program" stated no-cost repairs for malfunctioning emmc but lancaster, pa service center did not repair my car.) so in short when I took my car in for november warranty adjustment program related to screen going blank intermittently tesla would not fix it. My screen is still blank intermittently because tesla would not repair it and now with the february 2021 the federal safety agency recall 21v035 released I would like this screen issue fixed properly and permanently. Regardless of what emmc or memory device is in the car the federal safety agency safety concerns still apply (unavailability of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings for purposes of ensuring visibility, and exterior turn signal lighting may increase the risk of a crash). I am requesting the mcu be replaced with mcu v2 free of charge because tesla stated my 2012 model s does not have the 8gb emmc and because of safety concerns with the current state of the mcu. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The heater and defroster stopped working in this cold weather as we were driving home with my sons. They were freezing and cold. I was not able to see clearly rather very foggy windshield due to non-working cabin heater and defroster. This issue had happened to many many tesla owners, infact model s like mine and even the brand new tesla model 3 and model y with just less than 10o miles. This clearly is a huge negligence on the part of tesla not wanting to fix the issue. However, now right after getting the control touch screen issue addressed, the same day tesla told me the car is ready and that I can pick it up. This was very negligent on tesla augorahills service center part. The heater was not working once I started driving the car back home. Tesla should have under safety protocol fixed the very important safety tool such as the climate control and never should have released the car to me to drive last night 12/28/2020. Once I picked up the car and driving back home with my sons we were very cold, to notice the heater is not working/operable. This became more challenging once the visibility was hindered with fogging effect and the same night it was raining here in augorahills area ca and in santa clarita area ca. In many cases where the folks online have discovered the circuit board for the heater core itself which is called the ptc is not properly sealed which allows in moisture and shorts circuits the dc-dc control junction box which holds 3 - fuses. One fuse for A/C , another fuse for heater, third fuse for battery heater. Please please investigate this issue. Tesla tells me the fuses blow in the dc-dc converter causing this. They are aware.
The mcu - media control unit is slow to respond to inputs and slow to startup when entering the vehicle. The screen has locked up several times while driving which leaves the turn indicators unusable and the defroster deactivated until the mcu resets. The hazard indicators are inactive when the mcu turns off. The front suspension links wear out prematurely due to a poor design and the weight of the vehicle. Repairs are costly due the main high voltage battery needing to be removed in order to remove the suspension link bolts.
Mcu failure. Vehicle not safely driveable
Main infotainment screen fails to respond and needs to be rebooted frequently
The infotainment system is freezing which doesn't allow you to use any features of the car except basic driving functions. This has been attributed to a chip failure in the mcu.
The touch screen on the tesla is black and will not turn on. It's as if the computer is dead. It was working I parked at ups delivery got out, dropped off a package got back I. The car like normal with the key fob, sat down pressed the brake and noticed nothing moved, in other worded the seat, and the touch screen stayed off. Nothing came back after that...
The mcu on my 2012 tesla model s failed in june of 2019, when my car was out of warranty. The center screen went and stayed blank. Among other things, I had no way to turn on the AC during 90 degree days, backup camera was no longer visible making maneuvering this large car when parking very dangerous, and the car was so slow to start up that I was afraid to drive it as I was not secure that it would start again when I was away from home. I had to pay $2,287 to have it replaced.
The main computer in car - media control unit - malfunctioned... It crashed and caused no turn signals, no rear view camera, and no HVAC. Controls for headlights also gone
Mcu failure causing complete loss of instrument cluster, no backup camera, no defrost controls, and inability to access any other functions aside from hazard lights. This failure happed when I stopped to recharge the car. After a while and a system reset, I was able to drive the car again. Still seeing intermittent failures.
My main computer went out as I got home. Screen just went black as I pulled in garage. Ac ran all night, wouldn't turn off. Had to schedule an appt at westchase service center. Drove there with a black screen.
While driving my vehicle the mcu randomly shuts down I lose my instrument cluster speedometer and other functions until this rebooting takes place I have had it into tesla four times each time they perform some computer update which does not work to solve my problem. They have asked me to take videos of this happening and time stamps so they can look into it and I have done this numerous times this is unsafe for me to be doing but I am trying to cooperate with them. The mcu was defective and they are stonewalling me on a replacement.
Around june 2018 the media control unit (mcu) of my model s completely froze before I left my home for work. The screen did not update and did not respond to any touch. I rebooted the mcu while driving but the screen remained black. I could no longer use back-up camera, don't know if turn signals work, turn on headlights, change climate control, etc. I was able to get to work safely and tried to use the chargepoint stations offered at work. The car was stuck in scheduled charging, so I couldn't charge from work. I even left work to try to use the supercharger at the fremont hub in ca, thinking it would bypass the scheduled charging. That did not work either. This was bad as I remember having about 30% of charge left. Since it was an emergency, the tesla rep was kind enough to let me skip appointments and allowed me to bring my car in for service immediately. I end up paying a total of $2,270.50 to replace the mcu. They replaced it with the same mcu model that will exhibit the same problem down the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 tesla model s. The contact stated the vehicle media control unit (mcu) failed to operate as designed, resulting in the loss of the use of touchscreen functions. The contact manually activated the mcu using the controls on the steering wheel. Tesla (1200 old skokie valley rd, highland park, il 60035) was informed of the failure. The repair was still pending. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. The VIN was not included.
Car won't start, computer problems on multiple occasions, after multiple calls tesla had no record of prior complaints and no remedy. Left stranded multiple times.
Multiple times my master control unit in my car is freezing and locking up. It requires a hard reboot which takes several minutes to come back to life. This has happened at least 5 times in the last week while the vehicle is in motion on public roadways. I have no control of any function that the mcu is in charge of while this happens. It is extremely distracting to have happen while you are driving. It is not always in safe place I.e. The freeway where I can pull off and restart it. One time it happened while parked starting my car and a message popped up to push both scroll wheels on the steering wheel because the mcu was unresponsive. It would not allow the vehicle to drive.
Loss of rear view camera. The middle touch screen or mcu quit working. This is my 3rd mcu. The car has 41k miles. The last one lasted just over 1 year, just out of a 1 year warranty. The mcu controls almost all features of the car, including the rear camera for backing up.
About 6 months ago my media control unit (mcu) and touchscreen failed, requiring a replacement. I just read an article that you are investigating these failures and wanted to give you some more examples if desired. As you probably well know, it sounds like a common problem. Before replacement, not all vehicle functionality and settings were available, and the mcu could no longer get software updates, which tesla personnel stated would eventually be a safety concern.
Touchscreen locks up and periodically needs to be rebooted when driving down the road. Getting worse, also needs to be rebooted each morning when starting. Several times the touchscreen needs to be rebooted multiple times in a row. Did ask a tesla service person about it today, they seem well aware of the problem but will not fix since the car is out of warranty. I consider it a safety issue, do not feel safe rebooting while driving. I purchased the vehicle at salvage with some body damage, fix myself about 2 years ago. In no way is this issue related. Have been driving the car 2 years and 53,000 miles since I fixed it. Tesla cancels warranties and other on any car involved in any type of incident so I mostly fix myself.
Each time the tesla s is started the large touch display screen is inoperative. No function on the screen works. The rearview camera, cell phone or any function-have,sunroof,garage door close, etc. The screen has to be reset taking 5 minutes. The car can be driven by all screen functions including charging are impacted.
This complaint may refer to the reference number provided below: the federal safety agency action number: dp19005 - investigation subject: battery management software updates to whom it might concern, back to may 2019, tesla pushed a software update, firmware number 2019.16.2, to my car via over-the-air(ota) method. Right after installing it in my car, I noticed there is a significant drop in the car's range. Software version 2019.16.2 was released after several non-crush fires happened worldwide on the battery pack with the same size and spec as mine (85 kwh). New software capped the max voltage for both charging and discharging the battery, to minimize the chance for the battery getting overheated but in the meantime reduced the car's performance and range that I originally paid for. In the meantime, the hazardous for the battery catching fire has not been fully resolved. Tesla service team declined my service request and keeps telling me that my battery is "operating normally" and refuse to provide any more information regarding this issue while I have to suffer the inconvenience caused by the reduced range and charging speed. Plus I have to keep the car with the battery may catching fire anytime idling on my driveway outside my house where I and my family lives in. The battery losing almost 20% of capacity is not acceptable as "operating normally" and should be categorized as "failure parts" which need immediate replace under warranty (8 years, unlimited mileage, mine is expiring 12/2020). If the range loss is a precaution method for the fire situation, tesla should notify the affected owners and come up with a permanent solution for this issue. With tesla's attitude of refusing to communicate with the affected owners or providing any information on this matter, I urge the federal safety agency to start an investigation and provide us a definite answer. Sincerely
The right rear door handle became non-functional when attempting to open the car from outside the car. After service by the manufacturer (tesla), the door handle became exteriorly functional, although to a decreased amount compared to optimal performance, but was left in a state of inoperability from the interior of the car. Pulling on the door handle from the inside would not open the door. In the event of a crash from the left side, the passenger in the right rear seat would be trapped without recourse.
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