2021 Tesla Model Y: windshield wiper failure

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Driver assistance, Visibility · CA

My 2021 Tesla Model Y (Autopilot Hardware 3) had a malfunction of its camera system and automatic windshield wipers after an over-the-air software update. The update was version 2026.38.5.1, which included FSD (Supervised) v14.3 Lite, and it installed on Oct 17. The vehicle had no problems with these systems before the update. After the update, the rearview camera did not display when shifting into reverse, the passenger side rear camera feeds stopped working, the automatic wipers did not activate in rain. Tesla’s automatic wipers depend on the vehicle’s cameras rather than a separate rain sensor, so both failures point to the camera or Autopilot computer system. Safety risk: Without a working rearview camera, I could not reliably see pedestrians, children, or objects behind the vehicle when reversing. Without working automatic wipers, visibility in rain depended entirely on manual control. Camera-dependent safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning may also have been affected. The problem first appeared immediately after the 2026.38.5.1 update. I went to the Tesla service center and they are charging an exorbitant to even diagnose the issue ($265 per issue). Current status: On Oct 26, Tesla installed a newer update, 2026.38.5.11. However, the problem persists. The passenger side rear camera briefly worked before going dark again.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Driver assistance · FL

The vehicle's Autopilot/Full Self-Driving (HW3) computer has failed at approximately 70,000 miles. Tesla Service has diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the HW3 computer. As a result of this failure, multiple safety related systems are inoperative, including collision avoidance, lane assist, lane departure warning, automatic wipers, and other driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control. The vehicle is also unable to receive over-the-air software updates, including potential safety updates. In addition, the vehicle experiences system lag, including delay when shifting into Drive or Reverse. The center display is slow to respond, and certain media and software features are no longer functional due to inability to update. This condition increases safety risk because active safety systems designed to assist with collision prevention are disabled. The failure appears to be hardware-related and not due to normal wear. Tesla has confirmed the need for computer replacement but has declined coverage as the vehicle is outside warranty. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request.

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Driver assistance, Visibility · CA

The rear view camera didn't work, neither did the windshield wiper. When turning left or right, the sensors did not display anything, the display no longer displayed any distances to other cars, proximity lines, nor speed limits. GPS also did not work. The problems were confirmed by the dealer (and fixed), but they charged us even though the incident involved a software update on their part that made most advanced safety features unavailable available. When we tried to reverse, we could not see anything. When we tried to make a left or right turn, there were no sensors available to sense blind spots. When we tried to understand the speed limit or change lanes, the information was not available. Wipers were patchy in use Auto pilot also did not work. Warnings kept beeping while driving, but we could not turn it off, serving as a distraction to driver, but Tesla was unable to address the repair due to their mass recall of other cars (with similar issues).

Filed Jun 2, 2024 · Visibility · NJ

The automated wipers will stop working when it is raining making it very difficult to see the road and traffic, and they will start working when the windshield is dry. The speed that the wipers work at is also inconsistent - speeding up and slowing down even though the rate of precipitation has not changed. This happens randomly, and after learning that other Tesla Y owners have also had this happen to them, I suspect that this is a common issue in the Tesla Y’s wiper system / software. This has been ongoing since we bought our car in Nov 2021.

Filed Dec 18, 2023 · Visibility · NJ

The automatic windshield wiper function never works properly. It does not engage even when the windshield is soaked, and often engages when windshield is dry. This reduces visibility so much, that it is sometimes extremely dangerous.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Visibility · WI

The windshield wipers are difficult to engage. Doing so while driving requires me to take my eyes off the road

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Visibility · WI

There are two concerns-first the phantom breaking using cruise control and the other is poor functionality of using the windshield wipers. I have experienced the phantom braking since shortly after ownership to as recent as 2 weeks ago. This has caused me to no longer use the cruise control. It is very difficult to engaged the windshield wipers. During nighttime driving and sudden heavy rain I could not locate how to turn the wipers on so I used the voice command button to do so. Thus had verying results it may not work at all, maybtake obe swipe or make continue to have wipers work until returning home. Thank you for your time.

Filed Oct 29, 2022 · Acceleration, Steering · FL

At night the wipers run when cruise control is engaged even though the windshield is clean and there is no precipitation. This situation also occurs when Autopilot is engaged. I've complained to Tesla's service center about this issue. I have text documentation to attach as evidence. A web search indicates there are many Tesla owners complaining about these issues for years. I've owned the car for 16 months and only in the last 2 months has this problem started. My daughter has the same car and does not have this problem. Years of complaints by other owners indicates this is a major problem why hasn't the federal safety agency pressured Tesla Motors to address and repair these issues?

Filed Jun 4, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

My Model Y Tesla, while driving on the freeway using full self driving, would abruptly slow down from 70mph to 40 mph in matter of seconds without warning and luckily there was nobody around me. I did a bug report on it many times but Tesla discounted that. Also my front windshield wipers would come on for no reason even on a sunny day. Sometime on a raining day when going into a tunnel the windshield wipers would stop and would not come back on when I get out of the tunnel and that is really scarily as I was unable to see during heavy rain. I had to manually turn it on and that took a few seconds and in the meantime I could not see anything due to heavy rain. I brought this to Tesla and they told me that the windshield wiper control and the headlight use the same sensor and there is nothing I can do except to place the windshield wiper on manual mode. The rain detection wipers are on many different model cars without issues. I am not sure why Tesla could not add an additional sensor just for the windshield wipers.

Filed Apr 9, 2022 · Visibility · VA

Tesla’s automatic wipers does not always work and it’s a serious safety concerns. I have videos of the automatic wipers not working during a light and heavy rain and it hindered visibilities on the road. Sometimes I traveled for 2 mins without the wiper sweeping water from the windshield. Due to Tesla’s bully tactics, and retributions, please do not share my name or phone number with Tesla, thank you.

Filed Mar 31, 2022 · Electrical, Visibility · OH

Cameras did not work with turn signals. WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. Then the screen went blank. I don’t know if the hazard lights worked initially when pressed. This occurred in a rainstorm going over 60mph. We almost were in a wreck due to not being able to see and needing to exit highway immediately. Stopped car. Rebooted. Difficultly opening charging dock 15 minutes later. Have called Tesla in Columbus, Ohio and left message.

Filed Mar 26, 2022 · Acceleration, Lights · TN

The Tesla’s operating system on the center screen froze. I was unable to view speed. I was also unable to turn on wipers, blinkers, or switch headlight beam setting. The operating system had to be rebooted while driving. This has happened twice. The first time was 2/11/2022, on I40 W in TN. The second time, noted below, was on I65 S in AL.