2013 Tesla Model S: backup camera failure

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2013 Tesla Model S (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX] in Barrow County, Georgia when the instrument cluster/speedometer display went completely blank while driving. This is an intermittent issue that occurs without warning - the display turns off and sometimes freezes. Because the speedometer was not displaying, I had no way to know my actual speed. I was pulled over by Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and cited for speeding. I explained the instrument cluster malfunction to the officer at the scene and showed him the blank display. I took my vehicle to Tesla Service Center in Duluth, GA (3380 Satellite Blvd) on November 4, 2025 - as soon as I could get an appointment after the incident. Tesla cleared the filesystem caches but did NOT inform me about the existing eMMC recall (SB-21-21-001) that affects my vehicle, nor did they perform the recall repair. My 2013 Model S is equipped with the MCU1 with the 8GB eMMC that is subject to the federal safety agency Recall 21V‑119. This is a known defect that the federal safety agency determined to be a safety issue because it affects critical displays including the speedometer, backup camera, and turn signal indicators. I have video evidence of the malfunction occurring and the Tesla service receipt documenting the issue. The fact that Tesla’s service center did not notify me of the applicable recall or perform the free recall repair. This defect directly resulted in me receiving a traffic citation because I could not see my speedometer while driving INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 19, 2023 · CA

The central display computer goes blank while driving or when the car heats up. Suddenly the car does not respond to any touch screen. AC cannot be managed, rear camera is not available and the car is undrivable. The screen comes back when the car cools down completely. This happens everytime the car heats up -whether it is parked outside for couple of hours or inside the garage on a hot day or when I am driving for over an hour. This incident has occurred multiple times and I have to take it in to be repaired

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Driver assistance, Visibility · 95,500 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the center display screen malfunctioned, causing the rearview camera to intermittently fail. Additionally, the failure caused a delay while switching gears to drive(D) and to park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined through the Tesla App that the VCM daughterboard needed to be replaced with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.

Filed Feb 23, 2022 · Electrical · CA

On September 30th, 2021 I brought my car in to Tesla Carlsbad for an issue with the navigation. The Tesla rep also included the eMMC recall. In doing so my car is not slower to wake up and drive when I get in, the center display works intermittently which is a safety issue that the back up camera is disabled. Additionally as a result my walk away locking was disabled and and I had items stolen in the middle of the night (Feb 10, 2022). When brought to Tesla's attention they suggested a $1500-2000 fix to upgrade the chip from MCU1 to MCU2. Not only is this a safety issue but its fraud.

Filed Jan 6, 2022 · Electrical · MA

Screen went totally blank and I can’t control anything. No access to heating, backup camera, navigation, etc.

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 45,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive and electrical power. A warning message stating that the vehicle was about to shut off was illuminated. The contact swerved to the right, attempting to veer to the side of the road on the right lane; however, the vehicle stopped midway and a semi-truck almost crashed into the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact pushed the vehicle into a nearby parking lot with assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that they had replaced the battery with a new battery; however, the failure reoccurred, and the battery was replaced for a second time. The Department of Auto Motor Repair of California investigated and informed the contact that the dealer had kept his original battery and the third battery that the dealer installed in the vehicle was not new. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the third battery with the original one; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer replaced the original battery with an upgraded battery. The contact also stated that the hood would not close securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer; Tesla (7077 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117) who repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door would fail to close. The vehicle was towed twice to the second dealer and was finally repaired. The contact stated that the center display of the vehicle would inadvertently turn off while driving. The contact stated that the failure had prevented him from using the rearview camera or have control of the door switches and some features of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Electrical · NC · crash · 1 injury

The rear view camera did not deploy when I was backing out of a driveway and I was struck by another vehicle. The police determined it was a no-fault accident. My insurance company deemed me primarily responsible. I was unable to see any oncoming traffic because the camera was not working and there were obstacles to seeing oncoming traffic. The car was deemed totaled by the mechanic and my insurance company. The car battery died soon after the accident and the vehicle remains in my garage and is immovable. I sustained minor head, neck and back injuries.

Filed Jun 28, 2021 · CA

The Tesla's main central LCD screen, in which many major car functions operate, leaks liquid (what Tesla refers to as glue or adhesive), which causes the level to decrease behind the screen and which, Tesla, says, will lead to the screen becoming in operable. Safety features like back up cameras, unlocking doors, window de-fog and de-frost, charging limits, and others, are operated through this screen. As you can see from the pics attached, the level has decreased and is leaking out near the passenger side front seat. Yes, the federal safety agency can come inspect if they'd like. I showed the dealer this problem, they said they were aware of it, that it happens to other Teslas, and will result in the screen becoming inoperable. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to or during this issue.

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · Electrical · CA

Tesla has had a mandatory recall for the MCU and the screen. I went to get my car repaired, and they only fixed the MCU. They said my screen was not under the recall, but the whole point of the recall was to fix it. Now, with the screen not working, I am unable to control 95% of the functions of the car, including safety features like seeing the rear camera. They wish to charge me 800$ to replace the screen, which is not right when the original recall was the fix the screen issue.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · 40,000 miles · CA

I was notified by tesla that my car was included in the feb 2 2021 recall regarding touchscreen failures. I had previously reached out to tesla regarding such failures, but they said I had to give them specific dates & times of failures for them to take action, which I did not have. When notified of the feb 2021 recall. I contacted them with 3 dates/times of touchscreen failures. During these failures, the car could drive, but I could not use back-up cameras, or use most of the car's features included defoggers, etc. After contacting tesla on feb 2, 2021, they scheduled an appointment for me to come in to address the recall. I brought my car into tesla this week, and they kept it for 2 days. When I came to pick up the car, they said they did not do any repairs related to the recall (even though I had shown them dates and times of repeated touchscreen failures). They said that that their investigation into the memory issue indicated the problem was not severe enough to address (despite telling me previously this was all covered under the federal safety agency recall and that it would be fixed). The invoice they gave me says the following: "performed mcu diagnosis, and results were not within concerning bounds. Proactively inspected vehicles memory and found space still available, cleared out navigation files, map tiles, and media cache to free up additional space. Due note to routinely clear trips as it also takes up memory space. No repairs recommended at this time." they also tried to charge me for diagnosing the problem remotely but I told them that was inappropriate as this was covered under the recall and that tesla's email specifically noted that cars under 8 years old (which my car is) would be addressed at no cost.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · CA

Backing up mcu fail backup camera failed almost back on a kid ran behind my car while I was looking down at a disabled screen. Driving to tesla service department main screen failed due to computer car crippled to minimal safety control. Car now in service tesla require me to pay $1500 for new mcu2 instead of recalling and replace the defective mcu.

Filed Jan 22, 2021 · Electrical · 107,890 miles · WA

The main touch screen controlling backup camera, nav, air-con /heat and defrost systems goes dark. I have no control over those items making driving unsafe. The speedo and gear indicator on the driver side allows you to drive but it is not safe. I have video of the car driving to prove it operates without the controls.