2017 Tesla Model S: backup camera failure

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Electrical · GA

2017 Tesla Model S P100D. Vehicle received a paid MCU2 infotainment upgrade (MCU1 to MCU2), which replaced both the center touchscreen computer and the instrument cluster. The original MCU1 architecture used an independent computer for the instrument cluster, providing redundancy. The MCU2 retrofit consolidated both displays onto a single processor with no fallback mode. The first MCU2 replacement unit experienced a touchscreen digitizer failure — touch input stopped responding but the displays remained powered and the instrument cluster continued to function. Tesla replaced it with a second MCU2 unit. The second MCU2 unit has experienced three complete blackout events where both the center display and the instrument cluster simultaneously lose all power — no backlight, no image, no data. One of these events occurred while driving at speed on the road. I lost all instrumentation: speedometer, gear indicator, turn signal feedback, warning lamps, backup camera, and climate controls. I had to pull over with no way to confirm my speed or signal to other drivers. The vehicle remained mechanically drivable — steering, brakes, and motor continued to function. During the recent blackout a few days back, the vehicle had been stored in a closed garage and was not heat-soaked. I have video evidence of the car with both screens completely dead while the vehicle is in gear and moving. A scroll-wheel reboot restored the screens each time. This is my fourth service visit to Tesla for this upgrade. The MCU2 architecture provides no independent fallback display for critical safety information such as speed, gear state, or warning indicators during a processor crash. The prior MCU1 system maintained instrument cluster functionality independently of the infotainment computer.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · ID

The screen that shows the rear view camera turns on intermittently when engaged. It will often not turn on when shipped to reverse. The sentry system has stopped working as well as the main screen will shut off while driving from time to time, which removes the ability to turn on any heat or air, defroster etc... This was a previous recall and I am a new purchaser of the vehicle. I notified Tesla, they stated that they see where it is having issues but it was already recalled and fixed and any new fixes are no longer under the recall.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Electrical · MA

The back-up camera is not functioning. I get a black screen whenever I put the car in reverse. I can use the mirrors but the visibility behind the car is not very good. This makes it much ch more difficult to back out and avoid other cars and pedestrians. I have tried to reset/restart the various software systems with no improvement. I understand there is a recall for other Model 3 and Model S cars, I don’t u sweats d how my VIN is not covered as it has tb exact same issue as reported for the recall.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Electrical, Visibility · VA

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).

Filed Mar 17, 2022 · IL

The backup camera stopped working. I took the vehicle to the Tesla dealership and had to have the camera replaced. I am aware that there is a recall on Model 3 Tesla’s for a camera issue. I have also seen multiple sites online where Tesla drivers report issues with the backup camera for Model S vehicles.

Filed Mar 11, 2022 · Electrical · CA

On March 22, 2021 Tesla announced a recall of the 8GB MultimediaCard (eMMC) for my 2017 Tesla Model S. It causes the main touchscreen to go fail, rear camera to fail, lose of control of radio/defrost and all other commands that require this touch screen. Tesla said they would replace the eMMC. That was almost a year ago. My vehicle has experienced this failure multiple times both before and after the notice and yet still nothing. I actually took my car in for this failure in Nov 2020 and was told nothing was wrong. Its an intermittent failure which requires a reboot to fix temporarily.

Filed Oct 17, 2021 · Electrical · CA

I am asking [XXX] a mgr. at Centinela Tesla for a refund of the money I spent on an upgrade for the model S which after being installed began shutting down intermittently. Tesla's system records all shutdowns of the cars screens, so If Tesla does not have records of the cars screens shutting down prior to the upgrade, this would indicate it did begin with the upgrade. the federal safety agency made a recall for an issue with the back up cameras which was when TESLA offered me a 1500.00 dollar upgrade instead of the free the federal safety agency recall fix, saying it was better. A [XXX] at Torrance Tesla said he saw 2 shutdowns recorded in the week prior and did not have time to look up beyond that week.. [XXX] gave me a free accessory saying sorry for your problems but this is all I can do. The receipt for the free accessory states it was given at no charge for the troubles with the screens. Tesla's mechanic explained once the upgrade was completed to make the dash cams functional the system must shutdown & restart to rid it self of data accumulation. The cars screens did not shut down prior to having the upgrade because the dash cams only became active as a result of the upgrade hence creating the data which must be expelled by shutting down. Once this issue becomes evident to the customer Tesla simply tells you we don't have a workaround for this issue and sends you on your way. Befoe agreeing to the upgrade I asked [XXX] a manager at Centinela Tesla that preformed the installation if this upgrade would make the on board camera system function as dashcams, which she said yes. We communicated through text so there is a record of our conversation. After four months with the issue I sold the car. [XXX] please make my refund, so I don't need to take this issue to small claims court. [XXX] date is 09-13-2021 Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Driver assistance, Lights · 58,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency 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 that the rearview camera would turn on with delay while reversing. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. Parts distribution disconnect

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Electrical · CA

The main screen will go blank, turn off and not reboot up. The rear camera will not turn on, or turn off during backing up. Car will not boot up for several minutes.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 58,000 miles · GA

I have been reaching out to tesla service center repeatedly regarding the emmc unit failure where it has gone completely blank and turns off during my drive several times. I lose all air control, bluetooth, rearview camera, and everything that the main mcu unit controls. I have had this happen when it was very cold outside during the night when I lost visibility due to the fogging inside and no defogging control available. I contacted the service center immediately on december 22, 2020 and made an appointment, which they diagnosed via logs on their end and never agreed to physically diagnose my car in person. They keep claiming that this is an issue that will be addressed in a future firmware upgrade, for which they do not know the timeline at all since the engineers are still working on it, and that this is not a hardware issue. I detailed all the issues I was having where either my screen would freeze up or go black and turn off completely and gave them exact dates/timestamps. Each time they saw there was an error and verified that the logs showed an issue but that this was still not a hardware issue and I have to just put up with this until the firmware upgrade is rolled out. This was their justification for not replacing my unit under the warranty adjustment program, and now I don't see my VIN in the recall database either. I am frustrated and expressed to them several times that I am honestly scared driving the car. I have logged all the messaging conversation with them as proof, and I have videos, pictures showing the failures as they occurred. I have had to pull over several times when these issues occurred to reboot the system before I feel safe to drive again, or I have had to sit in park when I start my car and wait until I reboot before I can start driving.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 22,000 miles · IL

The tesla model s main screen blacked out, causing me to not have access to any of the car's control system other than to drive it (no backup camera, climate control, music, door locking, suspension adjusting, turn signal chiming, and other essential safety featues). When I took it to tesla, they identified the problem but told me to fix the root of it, I'd have to pay for an "mcu2 upgrade" of over $1000 even though they know the computer chip is bad (and will go bad again). This happens sometimes while the car is parked and other times when in motion.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 24,500 miles · CA

My screen keeps freezing and is black causing a safety hazard and I can't drive the car anymore. I have taken the car to tesla several times but they won't fix it. The computer is broken and the chip has failed. The AC doesn't work, I can't control my radio, my back up camera doesn't work, turn signals don't work, hands free system doesn't work, nav system doesn't work. Tesla needs to replace my entire nav, entertainment computer to return the car to what I actually paid for. The clock doesn't work, and I can't tell how much battery life I have left. This is a dangerous situation and they have refused to repair then computer. This is an electric car and 100% relies on the computer to control even the smallest details. I cannot drive the car and try to reboot the car while I'm driving. Nothing has worked. Tesla knows about this situation and I am not the only owner who has this problem.