2016 Tesla Model X Exterior lighting Problems

MCU1 onboard computer system becomes overloaded with data that eventually and periodically causes the computer system to "crash" and requires a reboot, even with 8 GB eMMC replacement having already been installed. This means that vehicles with MCU1 (generally model S and X manufactured pre-2019) are increasingly becoming safety risks on the road because the MCU1 system crash can occur at any time, even while driving (not just when the car is going through it's start-up cycle). Whenever this occurs, it means the driver is unable to change the headlights which is especially harmful during dawn and dusk hours since these models do not have daytime running headlights. Drivers may be unable to use turn signals, unlock power doors (the Model X has power-driven doors on all sides) and advanced systems may be inoperable during the MCU1 rebooting process. This issue can be resolved by replacing the MCU1 operating system with the MCU2 operating system, but Tesla requires MCU1 owners with Auto Pilot Computer version 1.0 to pay $1,750 for what they are calling an "infotainment upgrade." This is disingenuous terminology used by Tesla because the MCU1 operating system is not just for "infotainment" - it is beyond that and includes significant safety features as mentioned above (headlights, doors, locks, windows, ADAS, and more). Tesla needs to cover the cost of replacing MCU1 with MCU2 or a new system that is stable and does not experience frequent data crashes. In other words, there must be a fix beyond the 8GB eMMC "band aid" that has not resolved the chronic failure of MCU1 systems. This is a continuing safety issue and driving hazard for all Tesla owners with MCU1 until a recall is issued.

NHTSA ID

11523874

Incident

May 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model-X. 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 center display intermittently turned blank while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon engaging the turn signals, there was no indication that the turn signals were engaged. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11504666

Incident

Dec 15, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

If breaks you to change the entire head light at the cost of about 2500USD

NHTSA ID

11491511

Incident

Sep 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that his vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the main computer screen would intermittently fail to operate as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a service center where it remained in their possession. The contact was informed that dealer was unable to install a chip needed to perform the recall repair. The contact was then informed that the entire computer system needed to be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11480161

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the display screen went blank while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the display screen functionality returned; however, the failure recurred soon after restart. The contact then received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact took the vehicle to a service center and was informed that there was a limited amount of parts to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not on the priority list for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11428915

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL X. 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 WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CENTER DISPLAY SCREEN WOULD NOT TURN ON OR WOULD BLACK OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN THE HARDWARE EMMC UPGRADE WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11414183

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL X. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUCTION SCREEN FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY OR TURN ON. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. 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 CONTACT CALLED TESLA (6701 AMADOR PLAZA RD, DUBLIN, CA 94568, (925) 361-1173) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ID

11407088

Incident

Feb 5, 2021

Mileage

57,000 mi

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...

NHTSA ID

11394301

Incident

Dec 12, 2020

Mileage

67,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11390716

Incident

Jan 29, 2021

Mileage

43,399 mi

REAR VIEW CAMERA IS TOO DARK IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS (PARTICULARLY NIGHT TIME). ONLY OCCURS ON CARS WITH UPDATED INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS (REFERRED TO AS "MCU2"). IMAGE IS VERY HARD TO MAKE OUT, EXHIBITING HIGH LEVELS OF BLACK CRUSH, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN PARKING OR DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11387082

Incident

Jan 7, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

CENTER CONSULE WENT COMPLETELY DARK AFTER MCU FAILED. SIDE MIRRORS COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED AND BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ID

11361880

Incident

Sep 28, 2020

MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM DIED. ALL SCREENS STOPPED FUNCTIONING (INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER). CAR WOULDNT LOCK/UNLOCK. TESLA SAID THE MCU HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME BECAUSE IT WAS 5 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11342632

Incident

Jul 27, 2020

Mileage

47,000 mi

WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING THE MAIN MCU FROZE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER KNOWN MEMORY CORRUPTION DEFECT AND WOULD NOT REBOOT. THIS DEFECT FAILURE IMPACTS ACCESS AND CONTROL OF THE FOLLOWING SAFETY FEATURES, TURN SIGNALS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, EMERGENCY BATTERY DISCONNECT, FOG LIGHTS (FRONT AND REAR), AUTO HIGH BEAMS, REAR PEDESTRIAN CAMERA, SUSPENSION (INABILITY TO DISABLE AUTO LEVELING FOR TIRE CHANGING OR TOWING), TRACTION CONTROL SLIP START, SIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS. BATTERY SAFETY LIMITS FOR ACCELERATION AND REGEN BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE SAFETY LIMITS ARE ALSO DISABLED. THIS MCU FAILURE ALSO PREVENTS REFUELING (L3 DCFC STATIONS). AS WELL AS THE HVAC SYSTEM FROM BEING TURNED OFF WHILE PARKED. WHICH CONTINUED TO DRAIN THE PRIMARY BATTERY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE ODOMETER IS ALSO NOT AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS THE HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH FEATURE AND OTHER NON SAFETY FEATURES. THE INITIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER SWITCHED TO A BACKUP MEMORY PARTITION TO REPAIR OR WORKAROUND THE DEFECT ISSUE TEMPORARILY. WITHIN 3 MONTHS, LESS THAN 1,000 MILES LATER, THE BACKUP PARTITION ALSO BECAME PERMANENTLY CORRUPTED AND REQUIRED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE UNIT, OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11337992

Incident

Feb 10, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi