Wiper problems of the 2018 Tesla Model 3 - part 1

The center display (vehicle pad) on my 2018 Tesla Model 3 went completely blank while driving. This eliminated access to all vital driving information including the speedometer, gear selection, and safety indicators. Safety concern: without visible speed data and wipers the vehicle cannot be operated safely or legally. I attempted to reboot the system and power cycle the vehicle but the screen still failed.

The rear camera routine fails to activate. I wonder if this related to the trunk harness issue. I tried contact Tesla, but they want to charge for a repair.

1. There is an open recall since Dec 2021 (21v-00d) which Tesla has still not fixed! 2. The automatic wiper system on the car is unsafe as it takes a long time to activate when its raining, and sometimes it activates without any rain!.

1. Ptc heater, old part is available for inspection 2. Ptc heater failed while driving, experienced loss of power and slow loss of secondary electrical systems (the 12v battery was not able to recharge itself with the ptc heater not functioning). When attempting to restart car after pulling into a parking lot, the entire car died (12v battery was drained so it couldn't start up) and had to get towed to Tesla service center. Ptc heater is critical for car to operate as it is closely linked to 12v battery. Additionally, without ptc heater car cannot defog windshield, resulting in potentially poor visibility. 3. Dealer replaced the defective part (ptc heater) and had to replace 12v battery as well. Was not covered under warranty and I had to pay the cost out of pocket. 4. Inspected by manufacturer and replaced. 5. Got warning signs about reduced power available, and secondary electrical features were limited.

Live in atlanta that seldom we get frost. We had an event in December and noticed my rear defroster would not defrost killing rear visibility. Got Tesla to check if connected which it is but doesn't work. They blamed the ceramic tint that was recently installed. Took car to film installer and he showed me how my car's rear window never had any embedded wire, just painted lines that do not heat up. Showed me newer Tesla Model 3's and showed how Tesla seems to have changed the design and you could feel the defroster wiring so seems I never got defroster wires. Going back to Tesla. All documented in you tube from statement from Tesla glass installer and film installer. Search for xpel vs Tesla defroster in youtube. My glass was recently replaced by Tesla ln December 2022. Noticed the problem the first day we had frost in atlanta.

I got into my car and turned on the climate control as normal. The vehicle is always parked in the garage. It was blowing cold air, no matter the temperature setting, or vent selection. There is a message on screen that reads “climate keeper unavailable due to system fault. ” it’s not just that the cabin has no heat, which is uncomfortable, but terrible in much colder climates than mine. The heat not functioning means the defrost feature is useless. Water sprayed onto my windshield while driving this morning and froze! it stayed frozen because I didn’t have a functioning defroster or a warm enough cabin to melt it off that way either. It’s a known issue for Tesla’s, particularly with Model 3s. Tesla has never done anything to rectify it. My car has a resistive heat system, and this is the first time this has happened to me. There was no warning or indication this would happen. Non working in cabin heat may not be a direct safety flaw, but not being able to defrost my windshield for proper visibility while driving is!.

Recently I noticed that the automatic windshield wipers are completely non-functional on my vehicle. Windshield wipers can still be turned on manually and work normally as expected in all speeds in manual control mode. But in auto control mode, they simply don't turn on at all, even in very heavy rain. This is critical because when driving the vehicle in autopilot mode or full-self-driving mode, the vehicle automatically puts the windshield wipers in auto control mode and the driver cannot change them to manual mode. So when driving using autopilot in the rain, the windshield wipers just stay completely off all the time, even when autopilot is displaying warning messages about severe weather. I contacted Tesla support about this and Tesla support immediately responded that this is a known issue and should be corrected via over-the-air update soon, but no eta available.

The only cabin heating and defrosting mechanism in early Model 3s, a ptc heater, is prone to failure leaving the vehicle without the ability to maintain clear vision through the front and side windows. This occurred on my Model 3 in November of 2023 and Tesla was unable to source parts for several weeks, with a cost of $900. This failure is extremely common among Model 3 in cold weather environments and is well documented online.

Software bug for sure. When car is in autopilot the windshield wipers start and cannot be turned off. This occurrs when the windshield is clean , not raining. The wiper off virtual switches cannot be turned off and the only option is to switch from auto to 1 to slow the wipers. If the car is not in autopilot the issue doesn’t not occur and the wipers operate as they should.

I’ve called twice for Tesla to fix the part for this recall. They tell me they won’t fix because I have an aftermarket truck opener. The back up camera works sometimes but not all times.

The issue is with autostart, enhanced auto pilot and lane departure warning. I paid for enhanced auto pilot. This car totally relies on cameras. 1. In the slightest occurrence of rain, it complains about one or more cameras malfunctioning or out of vision. This doesn't happen often in full self driving version. For early adopters of model3 fsd, manufacturer updated the cameras. However they did not do that for early enhanced autopilot customers. 2. For the same reason, on a 3 lane or more highway, on autopilot when one moves from speed most lane and if there is a truck on the slowest lane, the camera shows somehow that the truck is on the middle lane when it is not, and hence the software assumes an impending crash and pulls you back to the speed most lane, giving no time for anyone behind you to think anyone, and leaves yourself in a dumbfounded state. 3. Without the upgraded cameras, autopilot is prone to accidents. 4. Car tent to automatically brake when sun directly shines on the driver or there is a bridge in front of you while on autopilot. I believe this has something to do with the older version of cameras.

Tesla recently pushed out a significant software update version 2023. 2. 12. Like a similar software upgrade last year, the upgrade wipes out all user profiles and rearranges control settings. The sudden change makes it hard to find simple and necessary control features of the car. The driver is significantly distracted trying to find where the new controls are. Some are hidden. Some are no longer visible. Software update is inherently unsafe especially for older drivers. In addition, the controls panel font is so small that many of the controls cannot be seen by older drivers. We have complained to Tesla that this is inherently unsafe and poses a risk to motor vehicle safety. No response.

The electrochromic rearview mirror will not significantly darken or dim. There is no way to make the mirror less reflective. The vehicle is designed to automatically simultaneously darken the rearview and sideview mirrors at night. The sideview mirrors darken properly* but the rearview mirror only very slightly changes color and does not noticeably reduce reflected light. This appears to be a manufacturing defect with the mirror. From what I understand about how electrochromic mirrors work, I believe there is likely a slight misalignment within the layers of the mirror that result in the mirror providing less than acceptable contrast. I have another Tesla with the exact same mirror and it works as intended. According to various internet message boards, many Tesla owners have the same and the opposite problem (mirror gets too dark). This would lead me to believe this is due to lack of quality control during the mirrors' manufacture. This lack of functionality requires me to suffer temporary blindness (troxler effect) caused by the intense reflection of headlights of the vehicles behind me. My only remedy is to reposition the mirror such that the mirror becomes useless for its intended purpose. This defect has existed since I purchased the vehicle new in September, 2018. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms associated with the defect. I reported this to Tesla multiple times. Tesla technicians inspected and tested the mirror on at least two separate occasions during daytime hours. Both times the technicians stated that the mirror appeared to work properly but the technicians were unable to replicate the issue because the vehicle will only darken the mirrors after sunset. *this is also problematic because the mirrors should also darken on dark, rainy, overcast days when the vehicles behind me are using their headlights. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Heating has malfunctioned and car will not warm up defrost windows in snow storm. This happened shortly after charging the Tesla at a supercharger and the car also seemed to suddenly require a software update. Having performed the update and reboot, the heat has not fixed. The weather is currently 14f and the car is essentially undrivable in the recent snow storms due to no heat. The system will blow air but this will not melt accumulating ice. Unsafe and random.

Many states like florida have a law that headlights need to be on when it is raining, my Tesla has automatic wipers that come on when it senses rain, when this happens, it should also turn on headlights for safety reasons but it does not, they need to be turned on manually, the car does also have automatic headlights, but the automatic headlights on the car only work when it gets dark in the evening. This is a simple programming change that Tesla could do, my repeated requests to Tesla to address this in the app has done nothing, that’s why I’m requesting you force Tesla to do this. Makes sense right?.

After software update 2022. 44. 30 ptc heating failed. No warning lights, just failure to keep cabin warm.

The automatic wiper does not always work. Set to auto but despite poor visibility on the windshield, it failed to start until I manually adjusted the wiper control on the screen. With poor visibility and having to look at the infotainment screen to adjust wiper while vehicle is in motion, my safety was put at risk. Every time it rains, the auto wiper is unreliable and often fails to start or is too slow to start as if there is a huge delay and does not keep up with in heavy rain as it sometimes wipes too slow and I have to look at the screen to find the settings for the wiper to manually override the wiping speed. Also, the adaptive cruse control accelerates too aggressively at stop and go traffic causing hard braking by the car and I worry this will cause rear end collisions. The blind spot side cameras are unusable at night when turn signal is on as the light blinds the camera image and can’t see anything from it, multiple visits to service center and they told me it is normal and refuse to replace but this cannot be normal as the image from the camera is blinded by the turn signal.

Water/liquid entering cabin from behind glovebox. Potentially affecting computer and other electronics. Also could affect the ac system and its intake air filtering. Possibly adding mold growth due to the excess moisture entering from the outside. When it rains, the water will gush through into the front passenger’s feet on occasion. This is possibly from pooling water in the intake within the front trunk. When activating the air conditioning in the car after sitting in the rain, it will spill over into the front passenger’s mat. This issue could additionally damage the floor with rust over time if a weather proof mat is not in place. Tesla service will charge the customer when out of warranty, even though this is an issue that should not occur in any vehicle. Thank you. P. S. Photos of puddling water taken from a video made during the occurrence of the issue.

Tesla no longer automatically turns on headlights when the automatic wipers are enabled, this used to be a functionality of the vehicle. The ability to turn on headlights is extremely difficult and requires going through multiple screens while driving, something that is extremely dangerous. Tesla also does not allow you to turn on headlights with voice command. Proposed fixes #1) restore functionality that turns on headlights when wipers are enabled #2) same as #1, but as a preference setting that requires a driver to enable that setting #3) allow a driver to turn on headlights via voice command. If there is a safety concern that the voice system may turn off headlights, disable the ability to turn off but enable the ability to turn on. Long story short the vehicle needs to automatically turn on the headlights when the wipers are on.

The rear view camera in our Model 3 stopped working in April 2022. This is a known problem related to NHTSA recall number 21v-00d, which was issued in December 2021. It has been over a year & Tesla is still waiting for parts to become available to perform the repairs for this recall. Although our car is still drivable, it is very difficult to use Tesla’s superchargers since they require the car to be backed into the parking space.

My blindspot warning cameras display gets completely washed out at night, (unable to view alongside my vehicle) whenever the directional blinker lights. This causes me to loose view of anything alongside my car. This only happens during darkness. This has been corrected in newer versions of the camera, but Tesla refuses to repair this under warranty. I was instructed to have the cameras replaced at my cost or to disable the feature. They refuse to fix this under warranty. I have included the complete correspondence with Tesla after requesting service.

Consistently reverse backup camera is delayed appearing on screen. Camera views will be black for several seconds before video feed appears. After video feed appears it consistently freezes initially and then stutters when vehicle is in reverse motion. This legally required safety device puts pedestrians or property at risk as visibility is severely hampered. While over the shoulder visual checks can still occur a functional reverse camera provides additional visibility for shorter objects or children. No warnings appear, just degraded ability to view behind vehicle. Has happened over several years with various software versions, but lately has been consistently bad every time the car is put into reverse. Unclear if this is software only or a combo of hardware and software not being able to reliably handle reverse camera video feed. Current software is 2021. 44. 30. 5.

The side repeater cameras become very hazy with a pink shade at nights and the camera view when the turn signal is turned on displays this. This is quite dangerous if we rely on camera view for blink spot checks at nights.

Tesla forced my car to update to v11 software. This software interface is dangerous. It hides the climate control and wiper control off the home screen and requires drivers to dig though menus to do things that were previously doable with one touch, such as enabling the defogger, defroster, wipers, or heated seats. This creates an unnecessary distraction for drivers.

Recent Tesla software versions have hidden vital safety controls (front and rear window defrost) in sub-menus on screen where previously they were always present on the screen bottom row. Furthermore, frequently used controls (seat heaters) have been moved to sub-menus while they were previously on the main screen. Both of these above changes pose a distracted driving hazard. I have not personally installed these updates, but according to Tesla documentation this means I am no longer covered by vehicle warranty. This presents an unfair choice to owners: maintain vehicle warranty or allow Tesla to modify the vehicle in undesirable and fundamentally unsafe ways.

Tesla has upgraded the visual interface of the Model 3 to version 11 of their software. My vehicle is now running version 2021. 44. 30. 7. The new interface hides critical functions of the vehicle required for safe operation of the vehicle, such as windscreen wipers, front and rear window defoggers behind the multiple menus of the user interface meaning unfamiliar drivers are unable to safely operate the vehicle. Previously these items were on the bottom status bar of the display. Telsa have placed entertainment options as the priority for the display versus safety options. Charging rates and associated energy safety options are similary hidden behind multiple menus or require the charge port to be opened to access functionality. The user interface of the vehicle is now more like a smartphone with attention to entertainment versus attention to safety. Critical controls need to be permanently on display on the top or bottom of the display so unfamilar drivers can readily access functionality for safe vehicle operation in all weather conditions. My wife, who drove the vehicle using the previous interface with controls clearly displayed on the bottom bar of the display, now feels completely unsafe in the vehicle, as multiple clicks through menus on the display are required to activate devices versus the single click on a function in the previous version. She now has to concentrate on the menu and divert her attention from the road to the display to active a function such as window defogging or wipers, presenting a serious hazardous situation for her and other road users. Nhtsa and Tesla need to address the now unsafe condition of Tesla vehicles running this new user interface. Tesla in europe has been subject to safety sanctions by government agencies for concealing critical vehicle functions including these.

Tesla released v11 software for its cars on December 24, 2021. The following controls were previously directly accessible on the touchscreen: wipers, front defrost, rear defrost. These high importance safety controls have now been buried under sub-menus. I was shocked driving my car tonight when my windshield started fogging up and the front defrost button was not visible anymore. I could have crashed while searching various ui sub-menus to find it again in a panic.

Tesla recently rolled out version 2021. 44. 25. 2 of their vehicle operating system. This update introduced several major user interface changes. Including moving commonly used “virtual buttons” that had been permanently on the main screen, into buried sub-menus. This requires the driver to take their eyes off the road for a significant amount of time. Among the biggest concern is the windshield wiper controls. But also, seat heaters, and trip data.

Tesla changed the entire user interface with their software update to version 11. I believe that this software update will cause vehicle accidents since they removed quick access to critical features and replaced them with entertainment apps. As the driver of the vehicle I do not need quick access to video games / streaming services, and more importantly I should not have to go through several screens to access key functions like the window defrosters. Tesla removed quick access to the defrosters, the wiper controls, the seat heaters and tire pressure. Even the music player now causes driver distraction. This new update is an accident waiting to happen and is geared toward entertainment instead focusing on a safe driving experience. The windows that pop up on the screen even block critical features like wiper blade control. Tesla claims that since they removed the buttons for wipers and defrosters that I could use the voice command but with this new update the voice command feature usually crashes. The new icons for user interface a so small that they cause eye strain and make difficult to see the road after checking the screen. The bottom of the screen is stuck in night mode which also causes eye strain. Since this vehicle has no buttons just a touch screen this drastic change to the user interface is a serious safety hazard. Tesla needs to add an actual physical wiper control switch to their vehicles. The automatic wiper mode is defective because Tesla did not install rain sensors on their vehicles. Also the new software has a serious bug where the vehicle disables the safety systems (all cameras and the lane departure warning system). The vehicle safety systems were disabled on 12/26/21 and 12/30/21. I informed Tesla on both occasions and they saw this software flaw in my vehicle computer files. Please make sure that Tesla fixes their vehicle interface before someone crashes from distracted driving/difficulty using the touch screen interface.

The Dec 2021 software update changed the touchscreen drastically making it dangerous to use while driving. More time must be spent taking one's eyes off the road to find the icons, and more icons must be touched to control the component (e. G. , turning on the defogger). I worry there will be an accident. Tesla customer service has been unresponsive. The chatbot told me to watch videos (which I did and which were unhelpful). No person has responded to my complaints and queries about how to revert the touchscreen to the previous version.

The latest update of the software (v11) has moved functions that were previously accessible on the main screen to a sub-screen requiring 3 touches compared to 1 before. These functions include the windshield defogger, rear defroster, and the seat heaters. This requires having to look and interact with the screen much longer than before, impacting safety. Prior software (v10) had buttons on the screen emulating those of other cars. These required 1 touch to. Enable/disable the function. It now requires 3 touches: 1 to pull up the sub-panel, 1 to enable/disable, and 1 to dismiss the sub-panel. Also, the prior software allowed you to see the status of these functions on the screen. Now you have to touch the screen to pull up the sub-panel and touch again to dismiss.

Latest update from Tesla moved commonly used features several layers deep into hard to manage screen menus. E. G windshield wipers. This now requires drivers to take their eyes of the road for several seconds to activate the functions.

VIN: [xxx] I had an accident driving my Tesla Model 3 on July 16th. Here is what happened: driving autopilot at highway speed at ~65 mph stray wheel/tire came and hit the front center hood/bumper of the car headon the hood flipped open tearing the hinges/struts on both sides of hood; hood lay flat on the front windshield with hood laying flat covering the whole windshield, front visibility became zero, also covering front windshield cameras airbags popped on driver side (steering and below steering), and deflated right away autopilot did not disengage even after airbags deflated; car continued to drive ~65 mph on autopilot not been able to see anything in the front, with both airbags deflated, and car still on autopilot at ~65mph, I found myself in a very life-threatening situation eventually pulled the car to the shoulder on the left after changing one lane (still not been able to see anything through the windshield at ~65mph). Requesting: 1. Review and identify what Tesla auto-pilot could have done different and make improvements (since car had data on both sides of the car and front and back, as a computer, it should have at the very least slowed down or braked; or better yet avoid the on-coming wheel all together in that split second) 2. Why didn't the autopilot dis-engage and continued driving? 3. Front hood needs to have two front latches as in other cars - I. E. , one main, one backup for situations like these (e. G. , like mercedes); single latch is not enough; both hinges holding the hood are very weak and broke within a second with just the wind. Hinges/struts need to be stronger. Just a wheel and here we are with a totally broken hood? 4. Autopilot is wrongly advertised as auto-pilot information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Rear view camera often does not turn on (or is black, while side view cameras work); rebooting car's software system has no effect, as other owners have advised. Tesla mobile technician replaced camera, still doesn't work. Says it may be software or chip-related issue with media control unit.

Rear camera frequently fails ranging in duration of failure from a few seconds, to hours, to days. Camera occasionally will work, but flicker between on and off. This failure occurs both while in motion and stationary. It presents a hazard whenever reversing/checking surroundings of the car. Multiple service attempts have not been able to resolve this issue.