2017 Tesla Model S lights problems

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · IL

day time running light on driver side headlight burned out, it cannot be replaced, you have to replace the whole headlight assembly which costs about $1,000.00 plus labor, I think this is not right , on my other. cars I can change the running light myself and only cost a couple. of dollars

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Driver assistance, Lights · 123,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving, attempting to park or reverse the vehicle, the screen froze or went blank. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · MA

I have documented examples of 3 total incidents now where a Tesla OTA "Update" on my vehicle caused a safety issue. Event 1: Nov 27, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my left turn light non-functional for ~24 hours. Resolution per forums only was to not touch the card for 24 hours to allow it to shift into "sleep" mode which would resolve the issue. Instructions were that only a service center could resolve the issue. Event 2: Sept 3, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my car unable to charge. The issue is resolved following a ~24 hour "sleep" cycle which allows my car to somehow resume charging. Telsa advised the only resolution was to come in for service and to replace a $3000 part. Event 3: Sept 23, 2025. Tesla OTA Update once again renders my car unable to use it's left turn light. Power cycling the vehicle was able to resolve the issue but once again the instructions was only that service could resolve the issue. Each "update" risks sigificant "safety" related issues and Tesla's only resolution is to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to "troubleshoot" that which shouldn't be a problem.

Filed Aug 24, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · NJ

Tesla originally confirmed issues with the MCU1 system in my vehicle and upgraded it to MCU2. I Paid $1,599 for the repair/upgrade. Since then, the center screen has continued shutting off while driving. When this happens, the instrument cluster and controls go dark, I cannot see my speed, use the blinkers to signal, operate the AC/defroster, or access other critical vehicle functions. This has occurred multiple times on highways, including US-22 in New Jersey, which created serious danger because I could not monitor speed or signal properly. Although Tesla addressed the MCU1 problem by upgrading me to MCU2, they told me afterward the vehicle was still “safe to drive,” despite the failures continuing. I believe this is unsafe because I lose visibility of all driving information and access to basic controls. Tesla now refuses to repair these ongoing problems. After I raised complaints about the severity of the issue, I was dismissed and mocked for my speech disability during phone calls, and Tesla placed me on a service restriction. As a result, I am unable to obtain further repairs for this safety defect. I am afraid to drive the car. No Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Parking Collision Warning, or Rear Cross Traffic Warning features were involved in this failure.

Filed Dec 24, 2024 · Lights · CA

I don't have this problem anymore because I had the circuit board replaced. The issue I have observed is the auto high beam feature doesn't work properly. They get stuck in the high setting and don't adapt to on-coming traffic. It's primarily in model y cars but all models have been observed. This might be as simple as needing the adaptive setting to be default or in my case a new control board replaced. The remedy before I got it fixed was to not have high engaged with the stock. I don't think there is a manual solution with the y or any newer teslas.

Filed Oct 29, 2024 · Lights · GA

Daylight Running Lights (DRLs) burned out, and Tesla charges exorbitant amounts to repair each DRL and headlight assembly, over $3,500 for each side. This is apparently a known issue with all 2017-2021 Tesla Model S vehicles, as it is widely discussed on Tesla owner forums. The DRLs are prone to repeated failures even after being replaced. Tesla will replace the DRL and headlight assembly as long as the vehicle is under warranty, but will not replace the failed DRL and headlight assembly after the warranty expires unless the vehicle owner pays for the replacement. This would seem to be a known chronic failure item, and since the DRLs are a safety feature, it would seem that Tesla should stand behind their vehicles and resolve this failure as a recall.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Lights · MN

The daytime running lights dim and burn out after only a few year late and happen repeatedly even after the warranty has expired. It is a very expensive fix but is clearly a design problem because it looks to be happening across all models S’s

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Driver assistance, Lights · 86,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 MPH, the back over prevention camera showed a completely black screen. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2023 · Lights · TX

The eyebrow on the drivers side needs to be replaced for the third time within 3 years. This is a safety issue for visibility.

Filed Oct 30, 2022 · Lights · IL

Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to fail. The lights dim then eventually no longer work. Tesla's solution is to have the customer purchase a brand new headlight at $1500. My vehicle is 4 years old and has been through 3 pairs of headlights already, when the last set burnt out I just left them as is. Tesla should either goodwill swap out these headlights for a non-built to fail component, or offer a repair for a quality LED strip with proper heat distribution. Without daytime running lights safety is a major concern on foggy, rainy, and low light situations. I have attached an image showing how the failure begins on top then slowly goes all the way down to the side of the headlight which fails later.