2016 Tesla Model X: backup camera failure

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Driver assistance · NJ

Description of Problem: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETE FAILURE My 2016 Tesla Model X instrument cluster has completely failed and permanently displays "CAR OFF" regardless of the actual vehicle status, including while actively driving at highway speeds. Critical Information I CANNOT See While Driving: Gear position (P, D, R, N) - I have no visual confirmation of what gear the vehicle is in Vehicle speed/speedometer Warning lights (brake, ABS, tire pressure, etc.) Battery status Any critical safety alerts This is an extremely dangerous condition that prevents me from knowing essential driving information required to operate the vehicle safely. Federal Safety Violations: This defect clearly violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 101 and No. 102. Gear position indicators must be "permanently displayed in view of the driver" Critical safety information must be accessible to a properly seated and belted driver Instrument panels must provide essential vehicle status information Tesla's Pattern of Similar Recalls: Tesla has previously recalled vehicles for similar instrument cluster issues: 2023 Recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V‑404): Tesla recalled 2012-2023 Model S and 2016-2024 Model X vehicles for incorrect instrument panel warning light font size, specifically stating that warning lights with smaller fonts "can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash." 2022 Recall (Multiple campaigns): Tesla recalled Model S and Model X vehicles for touchscreen failures affecting backup camera, window defroster/defogger, and instrument cluster displays.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Driver assistance · NY

Rear camera lags to appear when the car is put in Reverse. At times when switching to Drive the rear camera image stays on the screen. Sometimes it works as inteneded and sometimes it doesn't. The computer has its moments.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Driver assistance · NY

When shifting into Reverse the rear camera is delayed to be displayed. This to me is a safety concern.

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · OR

Severe ongoing issues with the MCU - takes excessive time to power up systems - can be minutes before functions such as navigation, rear back up camera, HVAC, screen and dashboard are fully functional. This has been an issue for years, that was supposed to be fixed with a chip recall - but has become even worse.

Filed Dec 22, 2021 · OH

The media system has been a source of issues since day one. When they finally issued a recall this past summer I was relieved to see that finally the problems would be fixed. I was told of a long wait and put in que until they would be able to get to my car. They didn't have a time frame however my media system crashed so many times I was moved to the top of the list and the recall was completed. I thought that would be the end of my issues nope shortly after they completed the repair the issues started again. After several months of back and forth with Tesla they said that is wasn't a warranty issue and that I would need to have the dash and the large screen replaced and all the processing for $1200. The issue is that my media systems crashes and goes completely dark when driving. When that happens I lose numerous features while I am driving. Sometimes the system reboots itself while I am on the road. When it goes dark all my sensors stop working cruise control stops, auto pilot all warning sounds stop, rear camera, heating cooling any function controlled on the main screen does not work. However the lights still work but I can't control the operations. This does not occur frequently but when iit does it makes driving very dangerous and distracting. The other issue is the streaming on the radio often stops working or you need to continually divert your attention to get the media system back online. All these issues have been present since the I purchased my X. It's been the same with Tesla let's look at the logs and see what we can do. They say my car has had more issues than most but they have never resolved they problem. I really do not want to pay $1200 for a repair that I am leary if it will resolve the issue and disappointed in Tesla that it is their problem and need to take responsibility and repair iit at their expense. I really like my car and enjoy driving it I just want it work they way it was designed.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Driver assistance, Locks · 31,570 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driver’s side door would not completely close or lock securely. The contact then received a message from the manufacturer’s APP, indicating that the vehicle was not locked securely. Also, a gel-like substance was leaking from the monitor display unit onto the monitor screen posing a visibility hazard while using the backup camera. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local service center and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,570.

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · 5 miles · CA

The multimedia unit was black out several times in one year. I can not control all functions of the car except changing gears. It happened during stationary, in motion, on a city street and highway. It is very dangerous. I had contact tesla many times. I scheduled three appts with tesla. The events were verified by tesla. They cancelled appt all three times due to lack of part. It has been one year. My car is out of warranty. They put me at risk of danger. It has been one year. Tesla should not put my life in danger in any minute once they know the problem here is recall info manufacturer recall numbersb2121001 the federal safety agency recall number21v035 recall statusrecall incomplete summary the emmc flash memory device is rated for an industry-standard 3,000 program/erase ('p/e') cycles. Over time, and depending on usage of the affected component, the emmc hardware exhausts cycles for each nand cell. When the emmc nand cell hardware reaches lifetime wear, as measured by the number of p/e cycles and remaining available storage capacity, the emmc controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem. This wear-out condition can cause failures of the center display software components, and may indirectly cause loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 67,000 miles · CA

Touch screen stayed off for more than 30 minuets on a 2 hour freeway drive with no control of the vehicles defroster, climate, navigation or audio controls. Touch screen does not always respond and glitches. Rear view camera does not always respond nor works immediately when in reverse and goes all black. Defrost would not work on freeway multiple times due to black non responsive screen. Rear driver seat sequels/squeaks a lot when sat in. Car often takes a minute or longer for the dashboard and touchscreen to turn on. Battery does not hold correlating charge to miles driven. Loud whirling/grinding when accelerating...

Filed Feb 1, 2021 · Suspension, Visibility · 49,000 miles · TX

Ever since I bought my 2016 tesla model x I have been having problems with the mcu (main screen) it keeps freezing up, it won't respond to my touch commands, I can not change the suspension settings, driving settings, climate control, disabling pin and everything that is related to the screen which is basically all functions of the vehicle. My tesla is under full factory warranty and I have taken it to service for the same problem along with some other issues 4 or 5 times, every time tesla service center tells me that the screen problem is a known issue and engineers are working on a software fix for it. I have never been able to fully get a use out of all features due to this problem. Tesla has not been able to give me a timeframe on when they are going to send the update to fix the issue with the screen. Meanwhile me and my family are at the risk of not being able to start and drive the vehicle if screen is frozen and we would have to reset the system which usually takes several minutes. Backup camera doesn't show the picture, screen gets distorted. I noticed uneven tire wear which I was told by tesla that it was due to suspension settings and I was driving it in low mode. I can't change the settings due to screen not functioning. I have given tesla several opportunities to fix the issue and they failed. My last service they wanted to charge me around $1700 (50% off) to relapse the screen which should be fully covered under warranty. Problem happens during drive or while stationary.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 43,399 miles · TX

My 2016 tesla model x's mcu is often freezing, restarting, or going completely black while driving and while parked. When this happens, I'm unable to access any of the features of the car but more importantly, the rearview camera does not work when the mcu is having an issue. With the small rear window, I cannot see any children or people behind my vehicle. Reversing with no rear view camera is dangerous. I'm also unable to turn on the fog lights when needed. I've brought it into tesla twice already and each time, they have said that they cleared the memory and disconnected the battery for a moment and reconnected. This has not fixed the issue. Just today, the mcu screen and my icc screen shut down for a few minutes without any notice. I recorded the incident. I've spoken to other owners and it seems to be a common issue.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · IL

Display unit goes blank while driving and reboots on its own while driving. Unable to see the rear view camera during reversing the car as the display turns dark

Filed Jan 22, 2021 · Electrical · 35,020 miles · WA

The screen will go black while driving and then needs a reset, takes about 5 minutes to reboot the system all while still driving on the road. Lag with the screen, put the car in reverse and it takes 30 seconds for rear camera to come on. I can never the the internet to work as it should, unable to pull up the owners manual. This has been happing over the last 12 months. I have many videos to show the issue, but tesla says all is normal when its taken in for service even when I show the video of what happened.