The main vertical display which shows rear view camera when car is in reverse is extremely slow. My rear view camera at times doesn’t show up until 15-20 seconds of putting the car in reverse and sometimes, the camera doesn’t even come up. This happens frequently on a weekly basis. I think the unit needs to be replaced for the camera and the entire car to be responsive. Now to answer your questions: 1. Yes it is available for inspection upon request 2. By the rear view camera not turning on the second the car is in reverse. This puts everyone’s safety at risk. 3. I have not gone anywhere to show it. It’s just a very slow computer, everything on it works very slow, needs replacement. 4. No it has not been. 5. No.
Tesla Model X backup camera problems
67 of the 1,560 owner complaints about the Tesla Model X describe backup camera failure, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 67
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 44,246
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Screen failure 13Headlights 4Warning lights 1Power steering loss 1Overheating 1Lane assist 1Door locks 1Collision warning 1
What owners say
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.
Issue Description GPS freeze: The navigation system remains stuck at one location even when the vehicle is moving. Park Assist not available. FSD not available. Rear camera shows black screen, completely disabling reverse visibility. These issues occur intermittently, often lasting for days, and then resolve themselves unexpectedly. Unfortunately, when scheduling service, the problem often disappears by the appointment date, making diagnosis inconsistent. However, the failures have already occurred more than three times, and each time they severely impact both safety and usability. Safety Concerns Lack of rear camera visibility creates a direct safety hazard during reversing. Disabled Park Assist and FSD compromise Tesla’s advertised safety features. GPS malfunction affects navigation and system reliability.
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.
When shifting into Reverse the rear camera is delayed to be displayed. This to me is a safety concern.
The rear camera freezes when backing up the car. The issue is noted in the latest model years but this issues applies to this model year as well. Please issue a safety recall. Thank you.
The rear camera failed as I tried to reverse into a parking spot. the whole system froze up and took over 20+ second to finally load happened twice in one day
1.Tesla failed to adequately warn us that the 6 sensors in the front and back of the 2023 Model have been removed. Comment from Tesla Collision Center team in Carlsbad: "We both understand the calibration issue won’t be fixed overnight. A program should be in place to educate customers on the change from sensors to cameras." 2. Objects and images in the rear camera are much closer than they appear and the camera sensors do not work properly. Where was this warning when we bought this car? From Jared's Tesla Service report: "There are certain feature limitations which can trigger warning messages and cause some inaccuracies when using this feature. Service Engineering is aware of these issues and is working towards implementing improvements via future firmware updates." 3. As a result of Tesla's failure to warn us, I relied on the rear camera and camera "sensors" and backed into the corner of my neighbor's open garage causing $6,322 in damage.
Ever since a recent software update, when turn signal is activated, right fender camera feed appears on screen but is completely black instead of showing a visual of the right blind spot. Due to this other features such as Autopilot, Automatic Emergency Braking, and likely most of the ADAS functions are also disabled. Due to the vehicle's poor natural visibility, there is a high reliance on the camera systems functioning properly. Not having a blind spot camera endangers turns and lane changes, especially if one has become accustomed to their usage. With most if not all the ADAS features disabled, we are returning to a 1990's level of auto safety. The problem remains unresolved despite a recent 2 week stint in Tesla service. Since this is most likely a software issue (possibly a regression introduced with the recent rear camera recall fix) there is no recourse except for Tesla to issue a bug fix. The car was returned to me without resolution. I'm not the only party experiencing this problem. It seems the only constant is it's a problem with the fender cameras however whether it's the right or left side is variable. See this Reddit discussion: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tesla’s entire car function (rear view camera, windshield heating, rear defrost) is supported by the center screen system. In Gen1 model X it uses a Gen 1 computer. Over the last 4 months. The screen blanks out while driving. I can’t access car functions. This happens while driving so it’s super dangerous. Only way to resolve the issue is to press a few more UI buttons on the screen. This impairs all car functions. I’ve submitted this a couple times to Tesla now and they say that this is a software issue they have not been able to resolve and they’re asking me to pay $2000 to get their next generation center console. I’ve mentioned that this is a safety risk as this can happen while driving, which makes me take my eyes off the road to fix the problem on the center console. They don’t seem to care about it. This is happened to multiple drivers according to the technician I spoke to, and they have not solved the issue. I recorded my last service with Tesla, and I have proof of them speaking of this issue.
Related recalls
Electrical system: horn
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
- Risk
- An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Recall number 25V172000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Risk
- An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Recall number 24V554000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Recall number 24V051000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
- Risk
- An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.
Recall number 23V862000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ADAS: driver monitoring: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Risk
- In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Recall number 23V838000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
- Risk
- Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V‑063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V‑063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
Recall number 22V235000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
- Risk
- Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
Recall number 22V050000 · Recall details
Questions about the Tesla Model X backup camera
Which Tesla Model X years have backup camera failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (32 complaints), 2017 (22 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix backup camera failure on the Tesla Model X?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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