Wiper Problems of Tesla Model S - part 1

This issue involves critical safety systems, including the rearview camera, front camera, and autopilot/driver assistance features. The vehicle was taken to Tesla for a recall related to the mcu system. Tesla marked the recall as completed, but no effective repair was performed. The rearview camera remains unavailable, the front camera system is not functioning properly, and driver assistance features continue to be disabled. Tesla returned the vehicle without resolving the safety issue. This condition poses a serious safety risk, as essential visibility and safety systems are not operational despite a completed recall.

See all problems of the 2015 Tesla Model S 🔎.

My 2016 Tesla Model S (45,500 miles) is experiencing a complete failure of the media control unit (mcu1), resulting in a total loss of the rearview camera display and defrost/defogging controls. This is a critical safety hazard. The unit was previously replaced by Tesla in 2021 under NHTSA recall 21v-035. However, this replacement part has failed again after only a few years of low-mileage use. Tesla service is refusing to provide a free repair or a goodwill discount for an mcu2 upgrade, claiming the 'recall repair' only had a 1-year warranty. It is unacceptable that a safety-critical component replaced under a federal recall fails twice in 45,000 miles. Tesla has failed to provide a permanent fix for the emmc defect identified by NHTSA. By refusing to restore the camera functionality without charging full price, Tesla is knowingly allowing a safety defect to persist. I request an investigation into these premature failures of recall-replaced components.

See all problems of the 2016 Tesla Model S 🔎.

I am the current owner of a 2014 Tesla Model S equipped with mcu1. While driving, including at freeway speeds, the center touchscreen has rebooted unexpectedly, showing only the Tesla logo before recovering. During these reboots, critical vehicle functions are unavailable, including the rearview camera, hvac/defrost controls, and other essential features. This failure matches the exact safety defect described in NHTSA recall 21v-035 related to the mcu/emmc failure. I reported this safety issue to Tesla service and provided photo evidence of the screen rebooting while driving. Tesla has refused to address this as a recall or safety repair. Tesla claims the recall was previously completed under a prior owner but refuses to provide any documentation proving that the recall repair was actually performed, citing prior owner privacy. Tesla has further stated that diagnosis of this active safety defect would be customer-paid due to the basic warranty being expired and has indicated that the only path forward is a paid infotainment upgrade. Tesla is effectively requiring payment to diagnose and resolve a known safety defect. As the safety defect is actively occurring while driving and Tesla has marked the recall as complete without providing proof or correcting the issue, I am requesting NHTSA review whether Tesla is improperly closing out recalls without ensuring the defect has been remedied and whether charging customers to diagnose known safety defects is appropriate. After entering my VIN into NHTSA’s recall lookup, NHTSA shows recall 21v-035 (mcu/emmc failure) as recall incomplete for my vehicle. This directly contradicts Tesla’s claim that the recall was previously completed. Tesla has refused to provide documentation and is requiring paid diagnosis and a paid infotainment upgrade despite the recall being listed by NHTSA as unresolved.

See all problems of the 2014 Tesla Model S 🔎.

After a recent Tesla firmware update, the backup camera (fmvss 111 rear visibility function) stopped working. When shifting into reverse, the display shows a black/blank screen instead of the required rearview image. However, the rear camera preview feed still functions, indicating the camera hardware is intact and the failure is likely in the mcu/deserializer routing or software handling of the reverse camera mode. Tesla service refused to investigate the firmware or signal-routing path and instead recommended a full mcu replacement at my expense without providing diagnostic logs or evidence that the update was not the cause. They closed the case and declined further review while the federally required safety feature remains inoperative. This appears to be a software- or firmware-triggered failure of a federally mandated safety system following a Tesla-pushed update, and I request NHTSA review.

See all problems of the 2019 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The main touchscreen (mcu1) and instrument cluster on my 2014 Tesla Model S frequently freeze, reboot, or go blank while driving. When this happens, I lose access to defrost, turn signals, backup camera, and speed display. I contacted Tesla service, but they refused to repair or replace the unit under recall ea20-003 or the extended warranty, even though the symptoms match the known emmc 8gb memory failure. The black screen and frozen instrument cluster create a clear safety risk. Tesla should cover this issue under the recall or provide an equivalent mcu2 replacement if mcu1 parts are unavailable.

The center touchscreen in my Tesla Model S developed a yellow discoloration and later began leaking a sticky fluid from the edges of the display. This fluid appears to be seeping from inside the screen and emits a noticeable odor. The touchscreen is the primary interface for controlling most of the vehicle’s safety-critical systems, including the backup camera, gear selection, climate control, lights, and driver assistance settings. The leak causes visible streaking and distortion on the display. This directly impacts the rearview camera feed — making it harder to see obstacles or pedestrians when reversing — which is a federally mandated safety feature under fmvss 111. The problem worsens in hot weather and may result in fluid dripping onto electronics below, creating an electrical hazard or sudden display failure while driving. This appears to be a known design flaw in which the adhesive or seal inside the display fails over time. The issue can impair visibility of safety alerts, rearview camera images, and vehicle status, posing a significant safety risk to occupants and others.

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.

See all problems of the 2017 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Tesla’s automatic wipers are unreliable. This vehicle lacks a dedicated rain sensor and instead uses the forward-facing camera and neural net to detect moisture. In light rain, the system often fails to activate. More critically, it frequently triggers false wipes during dry conditions—sometimes multiple times per day. Each dry swipe smears debris (e. G. , bugs, sap), reducing visibility and risking permanent windshield scratches. This directly compromises driver safety and optics for the fsd/autopilot system. Tesla has acknowledged the issue but suggests turning off automatic wipers. However, this isn’t possible when fsd or autopilot is active—they re-enable automatically. Proposed solution: if a wipe is triggered, the system should first activate the windshield washer. This would prevent dry swipes and maintain camera and driver visibility. The current logic is overly aggressive and lacks basic safeguards. Tesla must revise this behavior—both for user safety and hardware longevity.

See all problems of the 2025 Tesla Model S 🔎.

While driving at approximately 5 mph, the front passenger side window spontaneously shattered without any external or internal impact. I was alone in the vehicle and no one was seated in the front passenger seat. There were no objects in the car that could have made contact with the glass, and there was no indication of any road debris or other outside force. The window failure caused microshards of glass to scatter into the cabin, creating a potential safety hazard to the driver and any possible occupants. There were no warning lights, alerts, or symptoms before the failure occurred. The vehicle was inspected by a manufacturer service center, but the request for an engineering-level inspection was denied. The service center did not identify any external cause for the failure but still refused warranty coverage and did not escalate the issue for further analysis. The issue has not been reproduced but has not been properly investigated by the manufacturer either. Given the complete absence of impact and the sudden nature of the failure, this appears to be a glass defect or an installation issue. The broken component is available for inspection.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model S 🔎.

There is a design flaw in the functionality of the windshield wipers. Instead of the functionality being on a stalk like every other car, Tesla decided to make it a 2 step process. To operate the windshield wipers, you first have to press a capacitive button on the steering wheel and then you have to scroll a wheel on the steering wheel. The first problem is that the button to turn on the windshield wipers is a capacitive button that is not raised on the steering wheel - so the button moves as you turn the steering wheel and thus it is not in the same place all the time. This makes it very difficult and practically impossible to find the button without taking your eyes off the road to find the button on the steering wheel. The second problem is that once you find that button, you then have to find the scroll wheel on the other side of the steering wheel to then adjust the speed. So picture you are driving into a downpour. You instantly can't see because of the rain. Because you are turning slightly on the highway, you have to take your eyes off the road to find the button on the steering wheel. That will activate the wipers but only in intermittent mode. You then have to use the scroll wheel on the other side of the steering wheel to adjust the speed so it is continuous. And while the car does have an "auto" mode, I've owned 3 different Teslas over 9 years and it has never worked properly - often turning on the wipers on a day that is 100% sunny. The auto mode also doesn't work well when it is raining because it often doesn't sense the correct speed (so staying in auto mode is not a great solution). The correct solution would be to return the wiper functionality to a stalk on the steering column and most definitely not require 2 separate buttons/functions to use it. It is very dangerous having to take your eyes off the road when you enter a downpour or when you are in a drizzle situation and then it starts pouring because you need to do 2 things.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Experienced severe phantom breaking on [xxx] in route to las vegas at 70mph September 2024. In heavy rain, while windshield wipers set to auto. . . . . . . . . . . Wipers have stopped momentarily blinding the driver, a problem Tesla hasn't fixed on my neighbors 2019 model 3. The stalkless design prevents safe use of turn signals, horn and gear shifts. Wife who only drives an ice car can not safely operate turn signals, horn and gear shifts in my 2023 Tesla Model S. Camera system constantly renders 'blinded' error messages halting autopilot features. Tesla's resolution is to clean camera's before initiating autopilot. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Tesla removed the blinker stalk and replaced it with capacitive buttons on the steering wheel. This is very dangerous because the buttons move as you turn the wheel. To make it worse, they used capacitive buttons that are not raised so sometimes the only way to turn your blinker on is to look away from the road and at the steering wheel to find the button. The buttons would be more useful had they simply been a rocker button like a lot of vehicles have on their steering wheel for volume control of the radio. But the real problem is that on multiple occasions, the turn signal button simply does not work. They do work 99% of the time but there have been several occasions where I have pressed the capacitive button and the blinker does not go on. I then have to look away from the road to confirm I am pressing the button but it still does not work. On a couple of occasions, if I press the other blinker button and then press the original blinker button, it will work. Other times if I press it enough times (I. E. Over 5 times), it will then work. After the 1st complaint, Tesla replaced the component but it continues to happen. I believe it is a software bug and despite seeing other people report this problem to the NHTSA, Tesla told me no one else is reporting it. They suggested when I pick up the car that they show me how to press the button. What is more likely, that I don't know how to press a button or that there is a problem in their design? I know there is probably no rule against not having a blinker stalk because why would anyone ever design a car that would have moving buttons on a steering wheel but I think it is time for a rule and to require Tesla to fix this. If you can't require a blinker stalk, which would be the correct fix, then require the buttons to not be capacitive and to be raised. And who would design left and right buttons to be one on top of the other instead of being side by side. Terrible design and very unsafe.

Windshield with distortions causing driving distractions and headaches. I am on my third windshield with the same problem. This seems to be a widespread issue in reviewing online forums.

See all problems of the 2024 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The mcu that controls the climate and advanced driver assistance systems stops working while driving. I sent a service request to Tesla and they replied that my older mcu1 is failing because of the new software updates. It isn't the emmc card hardware failure, but the symptoms and safety concerns are the same. None of the controls work, as the main screen goes blank and resets while driving. Tesla told me the fix for this problem is to upgrade to mcu2, which they fail to provide for free as a safety recall. There was already a recall for the mcu memory chip failing and causing the same safety concern. The car disables the advanced driver assistance systems when this problem occurs. It happens about once or twice a month for the last year.

My new car has severe distortion of the windshield and the tailgate glass which could make driving the car unsafe by distorting the lane markings, cars and streets, and/or by inducing dizziness. I took the car to Tesla service and was told that the issue is within specifications and that all other similar Teslas have the same glass issue and replacing the glass would not help the issue. It seems that the glass supplier that Tesla is using has a poor manufacturing quality. The company does not seem to care. I hope you can investigate the issue and request that Tesla address the defective glass with the current supplier or switch to a better quality supplier.

Driving in a snow storm, and it requires complete visual attention to remain in lane and maintain a safe distance behind car in front. But you also need to manage wipers and defrost controls. Since this car has no console buttons and no stalk controls, adjusting anything requires looking away from the road for a significant length of time. Changing wiper setting requires using the right hand to press the correct steering wheel button (which requires looking at it) and then adjusting the settings with a scroll wheel using the left hand while watching the dashboard screen. Changing defrost setting requires invoking a menu button on the main screen, then visually locating the correct control on the screen. Again, significant time is spent looking away from the road, which in these conditions is hazardous. A second issue is with turn signals. Since there is no stalk control, turn signals are controlled using buttons on the steering wheel. When navigating a round-a-bout, the driver is required to use the turn signal to indicate the desire to exit. But the steering wheel is upside down, so the correct turn signal button cannot be located. I believe that this car is hazardous due to its lack of stalk controls and reliance on screen menus for normal operations. I am not allowed to do things on my phone screen when driving, yet this car requires me to do essentially that.

I received a letter from Tesla in Jan 2024 detailing recall 24v-035 for my Model S 2023 vehicle. This recall indicates the vehicle is not in compliance with fmvss no. 111, s5. 5. 3. And promised an over-the-air software update to remedy the issue. However, it is now June 2024 and my vehicle continues to show no updates are available to fix this safety issue. My vehicle continues to run software version 2023. 44. 30. 6 while the fix is only available in version 2023. 44. 30. 7 and later. I am concerned the Tesla is either incapable of fixing the problem via software updates and is dragging its feet, or lacks the expertise to fix the problem via said software update.

When vehicle is placed in park the wipers engage continuously on the intermittent setting. This occurs every time the car is put in park regardless of the weather. These uncontrolled wipes on a dry windshield are causing damage to my windshield and the wipers.

The intermittent wipers do not work at all. I created a service ticket with Tesla and they informed me that this is a known bug affecting Model S & x vehicles and that there is currently no known date for a fix to be released.

There are several safety related issues with the 2023 Tesla Model S 1) the horn is a tiny raised marking on the steering wheel (right side), and not like in "normal" car where pushing/hitting the center of the steering wheel will activate the horn. This is unsafe, since in emergency the driver automatically hits the center, and does not have time to look for the time horn "button" 2) the turn signals are also "buttons" on the steering wheel. It's ok when the car drives straight, but if you turn the wheel to either side, the driver must look at the wheel, find the turn signal and then press it. 3) the parking warning system works intermittently. I already have three big scratches on my car which I bought in June 2023, when the system was silence when I was getting out of a parking space, and I hit the car next to me. 4) the auto wipers don't always work. I was driving at 60mph in heavy rain. The wipers were working fine when all of a sudden they stopped and my field of vision was totally obstructed.

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.

Today I parked my car front of my house after couple ours I heard the voice and when I come close to my car I see the airbag is deployed I want you know the car doesn’t have any impact any accident when the airbag is deployed the car was off.

The screen frequently locks up, during which time the defrost controls and backup camera are inoperable. Tesla seaside initially agreed to perform the emmc recall, but now with my car in the shop and me stranded an hour from home, they will not agree to perform the recall unless I agree to pay $2200 for a new screen as well, as the adhesive holding the screen is failing.

Tesla provided a software update, and now two of the four speeds of my windshield wipers don’t work. This is a visibility and safety issue and software updates need better qc before being pushed to the public.

See all problems of the 2018 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Recently I had an accident while I was driving my car (Tesla Model S) with my wife and daughter in the car. The reason for accident was the front hood popped up in the middle of the county highway due to the secondary latch malfunction leaving us completely blinded as the hood fully blocked our vision. Luckily we were not met with a collision and had no bodily injuries, but the hood of the car got damaged. The repairs are running in thousands of dollars but Tesla is not covering. When we reached out to Tesla they informed there is a recall for the latch malfunction and sent us the recall, unfortunately they were sitting on this recall for 3 years and only sent us when we actually reached out. Still they denied any coverage owning no responsibility and even refused to fix the latch until we get the hood fixed by ourselves leaving it in unsafe condition as the hood might pop up again if we drive.

My mcu (onboard computer system) glitched out and the screen began flickering. I lost all of the advanced driver assistance systems, navigation, music, phone link, sunroof venting, climate control, including defrost. The screen froze and I had no functions. This has happened 4 times, possibly a 5th time, while driving in the last 6000 miles. I put in a service request to Tesla and they ran a remote diagnosis, and told me that the old mcu1 is overwhelmed by the new software updates. Their solution was for me to upgrade to the newer mcu2 at my cost. I am afraid to drive my car as it will malfunction while I need the safety features, like basic defrost or ac in the 105 degree heat in phoenix. Tesla acknowledged that the previous mcu1 failure due to the emmc chip was a recall, but this is a new problem that has not yet been acknowledged by Tesla as a recall problem.

The main screen has been going black approximately every 2 minutes while I am driving. It flashes off and then back on. I lose my backup camera, and all access to other features such as defrost, which can be scary, not to mention distracting. This issue started in may 2023, and I brought the car in. An upgrade to the 64gb emmc (originally was an 8gb chip) was performed in may. I believe Tesla was asked to, but would not, recall cars with this issue; they would only upgrade the chip. In August, 2023 we had issues again. They "reflashed" the unit and it was ok, but only for a couple of weeks. In addition to the recall, I have a warranty, but they will not replace the the computer unit without charging repairs to me. They tell me the hardware is outdated and the only true fix is to upgrade (at my cost - $2,000) to the "infotainment" system. Since the upgrade to the 64mb chip has not worked, I believe they are required to do more, but they are telling me they will not, unless I pay. For some owners, I believe the upgrade was sufficient, but it has not been my experience. I have tried to reach someone above the service center manager, but it is impossible to get to a person. I have filled out contact forms on their website, with no response. I believe Tesla is putting my safety at risk because they will not perform what they know is the only true remedy.

All of a sudden my 2 driver side windows wouldn't fully close yesterday. I reported it to Tesla via the app and they thought it was their existing safety recall due to software issue, but service rep said it wasn't. Instead the window trim off the vehicle is very fragile and typically they noticed it needs to be fixed within 12 months of ownership. This is an obvious defect that can cause many issues with flooding, theft, and more if left as is. Getting a service appointment typically takes a week currently but I stressed the issue and that I don't have covered parking so they moved up my appointment. Regardless this needs to be addressed ASAP and customers shouldn't have to lose a work day or pay for resolving the defect. . . Which I did reluctantly.

See all problems of the 2021 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Yesterday while my car was supercharging. Loud arcing and electrical sounds were heard. I was inside the car with my seatbelt on as I was only planning on supercharging for about 10 minutes. Approximately 2 minutes after charging started I heard loud electrical sounds similar like when a transfer explodes. I was getting ready to get out of the car and it stop. Within 30 seconds or so my hvac stop working and "cabin climate control system requires service-cabin heating/cooling limited or unavailable" caution message was displayed. The cabin heating stop working completely and it was about 29 degrees f in chicago. I went a little deeper into settings and more than 10 faults were showing relating to high voltage condition detected. I call roadside assistance for a tow and I was told I could still drive the car home which I did. Car sat overnight and faults remained and did not cleared. I had to drive in below freezing temperatures this morning to work and I had to wipe my windshield clean and it resulted in me not being able to see outside due to being completly fog up. It looks like my heat pump stop working completely which shutdown the hvac in the car. This is a safety hazard due to visibility outside car getting possibly blocked due to no a/c.

Tesla has, by design, altered a safety feature in existing cars (via a software update) that decreases safety when defogging is needed. When I purchased my 2014 Tesla Model S, the defog could be turned on or off with the press of a button that was always visible on the touchscreen. Recently, Tesla made a major change to the user interface (version 11), that cannot be reverted, which removed the defog button. It now takes about 4-7 steps to activate and then turn off the defog. The new system also requires viewing pop-up window(s) while driving. Now, when you notice visibility is decreasing due to a fogged up windshield, you have to press the temperature (e. G. "70") twice, which brings up the full climate control window (if you press slightly high/low, a "climate popup" instead appears, with button located in different locations). You then have to scan for the defog button and press it. To turn it off, if it has been less than 10 seconds since you turned it on (often all you need), the window will still be there, and you can press the "climate off" button to turn it off. After 10 seconds, you have to repeat the same 2-3 steps used to turn it on. However, if the climate popup appears rather than the full window, you need to start over again to turn the climate control off (otherwise, a bug causes the climate control to stay on when you turn the defog off). A new version (not available for my car) reportedly has a workaround, but the defog button needs to have a permanent location on the screen like before, by default. My concern is that this software update will get people into (or has gotten people into) "distracted driving" accidents as they have to look at the screen about 4-7 times while driving, rather than the minimal 2 times that the old user interface allowed.

I tried to start the car and got the “center display unavailable” message. Reset the computer doesn’t help. I have to wait for more than 5 minutes for the system to be on.

See all problems of the 2012 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Distortion within windshield. Appears to be manufactured this way. Employee within service center is a typical problem. Upon check-in the service writer even noticed it. I got a message from service later advising vehicle is ready to be picked up and the windshield is within Tesla specs. How can something that distracts a driver within the windshield be within specs and how is Tesla not liable if it causes driver distraction or even a collision and they refuse to fix?.

Distortion within windshield glass. Appears as if looking through magnifying glass. Causes driver distraction. Appears to be manufactured this way.

On November 1, I terminated my 3 year lease on a 2019 Tesla s for a new lease on a 2022 Tesla Model S. I was very happy with my original lease. During this week of driving I learned of the many changes that were made for this new model. So far most of them are only a matter of adjusting to these new/modified features. But some of them are definitely a safety hazard. This is the deletion of the left stalk on the steering wheel to indicate a planned change of direction and blink the appropriate turn signals. It is replaced by two “touch” buttons on the left side of the steering wheel, one for a left turn indicated by a left arrow and one below it for a right turn. Possibly one may memorize their location but until they are memorized the driver will have to take his/her eyes off the road for the few seconds to it takes to find the button. Neither of these buttons feel different by touch compared to the nearby surface. They can only be selected by looking at them. Of course if the steering wheel is not in its default position such as when the driver is making a turn, he/she has to take the eyes off the road for a few seconds. At 60 mph the car travels about 440 feet in 5 seconds. I looked up the massachusetts drivers manual, on the web, about the use of the directional signals. I copied those sections below. . Read more...

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.