2023 Tesla Model Y visibility problems

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · LA

After purchase, the vehicle’s camera system behaved intermittently and unreliably. Camera views would malfunction or fail to display properly on the vehicle screen. This affects visibility while reversing and parking and may affect camera-based driver-assistance features. I am concerned because the vehicle was later identified by Tesla as salvage, and I do not know whether prior damage or repairs contributed to the camera/electrical malfunction. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred. Audi Lafayette currently has the vehicle and is transporting it to a Tesla Service Center in New Orleans for a safety inspection. The vehicle is therefore available for inspection through Audi Lafayette and Tesla. Video evidence of the intermittent camera malfunction is available upon request but could not be uploaded with this submission.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Body, Visibility · CA

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Driver assistance, Visibility · GA

The windshield fogs up in front of the front facing camera. It can get dirty such that it is not just a matter of waiting for it to defog. During this time the self driving feature is impaired. The camera should be sealed to the window such that it can not fog up on the inside. The date of incident is the day tesla technician cleaned my camera and I learned how fragile this system is.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Visibility · CA

The car is providing an error message while driving with FSD that the glass in-front of the forward-looking cameras used for full self driving have become obstructed by a film building up between the interior glass and the camera housing. I have opened a repair ticket with Tesla and they replied that they expect this area will need to be cleaned every 6 to 12 months at my own expense. The car is never exposed to smoke or vape fumes, but instead humidity appears to be causing the issue since the compartment is not fully sealed. The first time this happened Tesla offered to clean the compartment for free and indicated they sealed it in a way that would keep this from happening in the future that turns out not to be true and their technician now says the cost will be $60 per cleaning every 6 to 12 months their documentation further recommends against attempting to clean this area without their professional assistance.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Visibility · NC

The full self driving system has malfunctioned and is failing. I was put in incredibly dangerous situations that were near potentially fatal accidents. Had someone been a little bit closer when following me, I would not have had enough time to counter the issue. Yes it has been confirmed but not nearly to the extent that I have experienced it It has been inspected by a local service center from the company. There have been some visibility warnings but nothing else.

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Visibility · AZ

Washer fluid indicated low washer fluid. Refilled washer fluid, but shortly after washer fluid leaked out underneath the vehicle. Took the vehicle in for repair at an Tesla Service Center and service advisor indicated that the reservoir had cracked at the seam (an obvious defect of the reservoir). They stated it was not considered a defect even though it was obvious the crack was at the seam. Given the age of the vehicle and the fact that the vehicle is constantly garaged when parked this seems to be an abnormal issue. Had I not taken this in to get serviced there could have been an issue with not having any washer fluid in the reservoir when needing to clean the windshield which would pose a visibility hazard and could potentially lead to a collision.

Filed Dec 28, 2025 · Visibility · WA

We were driving and had the circulation on to make sure that no outside air was being circulated in so that condensation does not build up on the inside of the cabin. The circulation button auto turned off without us knowing. We then had all four windows, and our windshield and back window completely covered in condensation and it would not resolve. I had to manually wipe it away. We were traveling down a highway going 70mph when this happened. This is extremely dangerous and that circulation button should not have been auto shut off.

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

On November 16, 2025, my Tesla Model Y experienced a complete and dangerous failure while driving. The touchscreen went totally blank and stopped responding. All essential driving information and safety functions were lost, including speedometer, gear selection, turn signals, HVAC/defrost, and vehicle controls. At the same time, the car made a continuous loud humming/buzzing sound and displayed a low coolant warning. This made the vehicle unsafe to operate because I could not see my speed, cannot shift properly, and could not access any safety controls. This is the second time my vehicle has experienced a critical malfunction. The first major incident occurred on July 28, 2025. A complaint has been filed with the federal safety agency under tracking number 11676662. Both failures involved sudden loss of essential functions, raising serious concerns about electrical, cooling system, or display system defects. I am reporting this because it is a serious safety risk and could lead to vehicle loss of control, inability to signal, or inability to see speed or gear position. The problem has been reported to Tesla and is pending evaluation at a Tesla service center. Warning messages and symptoms appeared at the moment of failure with no prior signs.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · SC

First cold day of the year and the heater stopped working. With the heater not available the windshield couldn’t be cleared it would always fog and cover the windshield blocking the view infront of the vehicle. Next couple days it was even cooler and the windshield was frozen with no way of heating and clearing the view. Yes the issue was reproduced by the service center upon taking the vehicle there once the vehicle was a little warm. Tesla service center mentioned there was an internal fault in the compressor which they can’t be clear so have to replace a compressor, exv valve, pressure temperature sensors and coolant. Vehicle was parked when I tried to turn the heat on in the morning it would just blow cool air. No warning before the failure. Once the compressor faulted it would give a warning “vcfront_a447” cabin climate control system requires service. And just blow cold air everytime the vehicle is started. If turning on heat from the phone app or inside the cabin it would blows cold air for about 10 mins then it will show the warning lamp.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Visibility · NY

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? HVAC heat pump and defrost/defog system failure. The failure caused immediate fogging/condensation on the windshield and door windows. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and no parts have been removed. [Tesla Model/Year, VIN last 8]. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Sudden loss of forward and side visibility made it impossible to see lane markings, surrounding traffic, or mirrors, preventing a safe lane change or pull-over to the shoulder. This created a risk of collision with vehicles ahead or beside me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes but they are not covering it. This is a very common issue reported by many owners Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Tesla, law enforcement, insurance, or third parties. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages appeared. The fogging occurred suddenly while driving on [date, approx. time], immediately after the cabin heat pump failed to clear the glass and visibility dropped to near zero.