2017 Tesla Model S Visibility Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11682696

Incident

Jul 26, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11559450

Incident

Dec 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11536935

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

Mileage

86,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11491517

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11472815

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Mileage

13,715 mi

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).

NHTSA ID

11470066

Incident

Jun 20, 2022

Wiper motor failing

NHTSA ID

11445587

Incident

Dec 25, 2021

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11443358

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware of NHTSA 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

NHTSA ID

11436612

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

Mileage

58,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the center console and display screen would go completely black. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11428960

Incident

Jun 14, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced an unstated the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11420419

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

18,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the instrument panel went blank and the contact was unable to control any electronic features inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the Back Over Prevention warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he experienced the failure several times per week. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the software needed to be updated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed the vehicle was not eligible for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11418717

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

FOR MANY MONTHS, MY TESLA'S COMPUTER WOULD REBOOT OR JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THAT WOULD STOP THE DEFROSTER, THE ABILITY TO BACK UP, AND MULTIPLE DRIVING ISSUE. TESLA SUUGGESTEC THAT I REPLACE THE CHIP AND THE SCREEN, I PAID$2500. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT DESPITE A RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC ISSUE. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH TESLS

NHTSA ID

11413253

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 TESLA LOCATED AT 3248 LIONSHEAD AVE, CARLSBAD, CA 92010, (760) 305-4041) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11408148

Incident

Apr 13, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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 SCREEN WENT BLACK OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11400017

Incident

Mar 9, 2021

Mileage

45,000 mi

PURCHASED A USED TESLA, TODAY (ON 2ND DAY) DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET, IT WAS RAINING A BIT, TURNED ON WIPERS, DIDN'T WORK, PULLED OVER AND ATTEPMTED FEW MORE TIMES, NO LUCK. TESLA ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE REMOTELY THROUGH BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING BUT NO LUCK. WHEN WIPERS WERE TURNED ON, IT WAS PULLING DOWNWARD INSTEAD OF GOING UP. THEY ENDED UP TOWING CAR, CURRENTLY IN SERVICE CENTER.

NHTSA ID

11396127

Incident

Feb 13, 2021

Mileage

39,045 mi

I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER REPEATEDLY REGARDING THE EMMC UNIT FAILURE WHERE IT HAS GONE COMPLETELY BLANK AND TURNS OFF DURING MY DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES. I LOSE ALL AIR CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, REARVIEW CAMERA, AND EVERYTHING THAT THE MAIN MCU UNIT CONTROLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE DURING THE NIGHT WHEN I LOST VISIBILITY DUE TO THE FOGGING INSIDE AND NO DEFOGGING CONTROL AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY ON DECEMBER 22, 2020 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT, WHICH THEY DIAGNOSED VIA LOGS ON THEIR END AND NEVER AGREED TO PHYSICALLY DIAGNOSE MY CAR IN PERSON. THEY KEEP CLAIMING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A FUTURE FIRMWARE UPGRADE, FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT KNOW THE TIMELINE AT ALL SINCE THE ENGINEERS ARE STILL WORKING ON IT, AND THAT THIS IS NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE. I DETAILED ALL THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING WHERE EITHER MY SCREEN WOULD FREEZE UP OR GO BLACK AND TURN OFF COMPLETELY AND GAVE THEM EXACT DATES/TIMESTAMPS. EACH TIME THEY SAW THERE WAS AN ERROR AND VERIFIED THAT THE LOGS SHOWED AN ISSUE BUT THAT THIS WAS STILL NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE AND I HAVE TO JUST PUT UP WITH THIS UNTIL THE FIRMWARE UPGRADE IS ROLLED OUT. THIS WAS THEIR JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT REPLACING MY UNIT UNDER THE WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM, AND NOW I DON'T SEE MY VIN IN THE RECALL DATABASE EITHER. I AM FRUSTRATED AND EXPRESSED TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES THAT I AM HONESTLY SCARED DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE LOGGED ALL THE MESSAGING CONVERSATION WITH THEM AS PROOF, AND I HAVE VIDEOS, PICTURES SHOWING THE FAILURES AS THEY OCCURRED. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THESE ISSUES OCCURRED TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM BEFORE I FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN, OR I HAVE HAD TO SIT IN PARK WHEN I START MY CAR AND WAIT UNTIL I REBOOT BEFORE I CAN START DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11391175

Incident

Dec 22, 2020

Mileage

58,000 mi

MY TESLA IS EXPERIENCING THE MCU PROBLEMS OUTLINED IN NHTSA EA20-003 FROM 13 JAN 21 AND PRIOR. WHILE IN MOTION, ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND REGARDLESS OF SPEED, MY VEHICLE'S MCU WILL SPONTANEOUSLY AND AT RANDOM INTERVALS FREEZE. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF HEAT/COOLING, FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTERS, INFOTAINMENT/GPS, ADAS SAFETY FEATURES AND CONVENIENCE, ALL CAMERAS INCLUDING BACKUP CAMERA, AND TURN SIGNAL AUDIO INDICATORS. THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO STOP MY VEHICLE, ISSUE A REBOOT COMMAND, AND WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR SYSTEMS TO RESTORE. TESLA INITIALLY DENIED THE ISSUE, BUT THEN UNDER TESLA'S 9 NOV 2020 "WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM" REPLACED THE MCU DAUGHTERBOARD. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. TESLA NOW STATES THE MCU IS OPERATING NORMALLY BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A FIX IS REQUIRED IN SOFTWARE THAT WILL, AT AN INDETERMINATE TIME, BECOME AVAILABLE AND THAT UNTIL SUCH A FIX IS RELEASED, SYSTEM REBOOTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED AS NEEDED. THE MCU CONTINUES TO FREEZE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE THE DAUGHTERBOARD REPLACEMENT. THE RECOMMENDED SOLUTION TO REBOOT CANNOT BE PERFORMED WHILE DRIVING BUT MUST BE PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY TO RESTORE SAFETY FUNCTIONALITY. TESLA HAS OFFERED A $2,500 MCU REPLACEMENT/UPGRADE THAT PROMISES TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SINCE THE NEWER MCU HAS MORE STORAGE AND AN INTEL ATOM CPU INSTEAD OF A SLOWER NVIDIA CPU. TESLA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING MCU WITH A SIMILAR PART IN THE MEANTIME, DESPITE INITIALLY ACKNOWLEDGING AN ISSUE AND ATTEMPTING A FIX BY REPLACING THE DAUGHTERBOARD, AND ERASING THE SYSTEM DUE TO POSSIBLE "CORRUPTION" TWICE.

NHTSA ID

11388822

Incident

Nov 12, 2020

Mileage

25,000 mi

TOUCHSCREEN WENT BLANK AND WOULD NOT START UP. HAS TO DRIVE WITHOUT CLIMATE CONTROL, DEFROSTING AND BACKUP CAMERA FOR 45 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

11388288

Incident

Dec 16, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

CENTER DISPLAY FREQUENTLY GOES BLANK OR DOES NOT ACTIVATE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, WHEN STARTING THE CAR, DISABLING THE DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 30 TIMES. TESLA SENT A LETTER SAYING OWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM (EMMC FAILURE) ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE REPAIR, YET THEY DECLINED TO REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE THEIR REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS COULD NOT DETERMINE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THIS OCCURS, MOST VEHICLE COMFORT FEATURES ARE DISABLED, INCLUDING CLIMATE CONTROL. IT IS A VERY LARGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER WHEN THE SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILS LIKE THIS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11376510

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

20,000 mi

CENTRAL SCREEN (MEDIA CONTROL UNIT - MCU) CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN AND RESTART WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF AIR BAG, CLIMATE (INCLUDING DE-FOGGING), REAR CAMERA AS WELL AS MEDIA CONTROLS/GPS. TESLA REPAIR INDICATES THAT IT IS A DEFECT THAT CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY UPGRADING TO THEIR NEW MCU2 AT A LARGE COST. REPLACING WITH SAME SYSTEM WILL NOT FIX ISSUE. THIS RESTARTING/REBOOTING OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN IDLE WITH NO WARNING. TESLA CLAIMS IT DOES NOT AFFECT DRIVING BUT IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN ABILITY TO CHARGE, USE CLIMATE CONTROL(INCLUDING WINDOW CLEARING) AND SAFETY CONTROLS LIKE AIRBAGS. THIS HAPPENS APPROXIMATELY 1X DAILY WHEN DRIVING CAR STARTING AFTER TESLA INSTALLED SOMETHING RELATED TO FULL SELF DRIVING OPTION.

NHTSA ID

11366476

Incident

Oct 26, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

MAIN COMPUTER EXPERIENCED THE EMMC FAILURE WHICH IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, AMONGST OTHERS. I COULD TELL IT WAS IMMINENT FOR FAILURE, HOWEVER WE DID NOT REALIZE THE VEHICLE NEEDS THIS COMPUTER FOR TURN SIGNAL CONTROL. THUS, MY WIFE DROVE HOME FROM WORK WITH A DEAD COMPUTER AND THOUGHT SHE HAS TURN SIGNALS WHEN SHE DID NOT. FORTUNATELY SHE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE WE REALIZED THIS SAFETY CONCERN. FUFTHERMORE, THE BACKUP CAMERA ALSO IS UNUSABLE IN THIS STATE. I WENT AHEAD AND SCHEDULED FOR THE NEWER COMPUTER (WITHOUT THIS KNOWN ISSUE) TO BE INSTALLED AS SOON AS I SAW THE SYMPTOMS OF IMMINENT FAILURE, BUT IT DIED A COUPLE DAYS LATER, AND IS CURRENTLY NOT SAFELY DRIVABLE WHILE AWAITING THE PART.

NHTSA ID

11342189

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

Mileage

78,000 mi

MCU SPORADICALLY FREEZES AND/OR REBOOTS (WHILE IN MOTION) WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM US. THIS RENDERS THE DEFROST CONTROLS AND THE BACKUP CAMERA INOPERABLE UNTIL THE SYSTEM RESTARTS, WHICH TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN MCU FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERROR ON THE PART OF TESLA CAUSING MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11331880

Incident

Jun 10, 2020

Mileage

34,000 mi

RECENTLY REPLACED TESLA WINDSHIELD HAS GHOSTING ISSUES. WHEN REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER, TESLA SAYS ITS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS, NO TEST RESULTS OR THE TYPE OF TEST COMPLETED WAS PROVIDED AS PROOF.

NHTSA ID

11289612

Incident

Jun 17, 2019