2017 Tesla Model S visibility problems

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 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 11, 2023 · Visibility · NC

After the latest software update, the intermittent settings on the windshield wipers no longer work. At 10:15am on December 11, the Tesla Service group confirmed in a message that this is a known firmware characteristic. There is no ETA on a new firmware update to correct the issue. There notice states that it is an issue with the auto wiper feature, but the wiper does not work in manual mode either. Initially, they stated that they could inspect the car in a few days. Now they have pushed my appointment 2+ weeks.

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 Oct 30, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · TX

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 $1438.33. My vehicle is 4 years old and has been through. 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.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Driver assistance, Lights · 13,715 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that he received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) and the vehicle was taken to the local Tesla Service Center for recall repair however, upon picking up the vehicle, the center display screen turned black and was no longer operative. The vehicle was taken back to the Tesla Service Center where it was diagnosed that the computer chip that allowed the vehicle audio and radio to operate needed to be updated. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay out-of-pocket for the repair. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,715.

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 Dec 30, 2021 · Visibility · CA

Wiper motor failing

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Electrical, Visibility · 55,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the center display would inadvertently turn blank and the dashboard lights would turn off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to turn off the center display and turn it back on. The contact stated that the center display software was reset but failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

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