2020 Tesla Model 3 Back-over prevention (rear camera) Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the back-over prevention of the 2020 Tesla Model 3, 3% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was parking at a trader joe's when the car suddenly accelerated by itself without giving me any chance to break to avoid colliding with the curb. My car got scratched underneath.”
NHTSA complaint #11416389, filed 2021-05, 4,050 miles“I bought a Tesla MODEL 3 on 9/19/20. On 9/23/20 I was waiting in my car in a line of cars at a fast food delivery window, stopped 8-10 ft behind a large vehicle with my foot on the brake as well as in the park mode because of the slow service ahead. After a while I realized that my Tesla had started moving slowly towards the vehicle in front. Pumping the brake, trying to change the gear to reverse did not stop the car. The screen data disappeared and a message flashed saying that all safety features were off. I opened the door which is supposed to stop the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373812, filed 2020-11, 50 miles“I recently brought my car in for routine servicing and informed the Tesla service technician that I’ve been experiencing significant lag with the rear (reverse) camera video feed since roughly early-December 2021. The rear (reverse) camera lag makes reversing hazardous, as any reliance by the driver on the the rear (reverse) camera feed can cause serious (potentially fatal) injury and/or property damage. I asked the technician to look into and address the issue; I told him I was aware there had been a recall and that I received a notice. …”
NHTSA complaint #11451552, filed 2022-02“Software update was pushed onto my car, after the update the car autopilot ECU no longer works. When the ECU finally failed these features were stuck or are completely broken/not working: - Auto dim rear view mirrors (these were stuck in dim mode, preventing me from seeing in rain or darkened environments such as at night or under shade, 0% visibility under these conditions when changing lanes or reversing) - Rear view camera completely stopped functioning, as did all cameras on the car - Forward collision warning no longer works - Autopilot (ADAS features in general) no longer functioning…”
NHTSA complaint #11673796, filed 2025-07“The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while attempting to exit a parking lot, the rear sensors failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that the rearview sensor failed to provide an audible warning, which resulted in the vehicle bumping into another vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,238.”
NHTSA complaint #11682956, filed 2025-08, 68,238 milesRelated recalls
- 22V169000Mar 18, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2020, Model X 2018–2019, Model S 2018–2019
Related service bulletins
- 10212801Dec 8, 2021On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the LH side repeater camera may lose electrical continuity over time…
- 10208327Dec 8, 2021On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the RH side repeater camera may lose electrical continuity over time…
- 10208326Dec 8, 2021On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the LH side repeater camera may lose electrical continuity over time…
- 10173427Mar 9, 2020On certain Model 3 vehicles, the image from the rear facing camera might not be displayed on the touchscreen.
Back-over prevention (rear camera): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 5 | 2% |
| 2023 | 9 | 2% |
| 2022 | 8 | 1% |
| 2021 | 9 | 1% |
| 2020 | 14 | 3% |
| 2019 | 19 | 3% |
| 2018 | 24 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2020 Tesla Model 3
157 complaintsOther or unknown
81 complaintsVehicle speed control
69 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSuspension
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsLane departure
35 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSeats
23 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology