2015 Tesla Model S Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 6%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the visibility of the 2015 Tesla Model S, 6% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Mcu shuts down while going down the road. You lose defrost and other major factors that effect safety. Cannot name a particular day but Tesla has this information. I text the tech on 09/03/2020 he told me it is a common problem. If it happens in winter, I will wreck if I cannot see.”
NHTSA complaint #11359864, filed 2020-09, 60,000 miles“I put the car in reverse and the screen was black. All the controls were stuck...fan/AC...back up camera did not work. My turning signals did not work. Tesla service center was closed so all the AC did not turn off and drained the battery all the way to 0 range. Took a lot of trouble to get to the service center the next day. They concluded the mcu was dead and had to be replaced claiming that it was wear and tear. …”
NHTSA complaint #11344076, filed 2020-08, 52,889 miles“My mcu stopped working and I was unable to use a lot of the cars functions. When my screen went dark I was unable to see any display of the reverse camera and was unable to adjust suspension settings. This happened as I put the car in reverse in my driveway with family members walking around the area. The car was towed to a Tesla repair facility and I was told they were able to get my mcu working but the problem will likely return.”
NHTSA complaint #11339613, filed 2020-07, 69,000 miles“The media control unit (mcu) touchscreen failed (completely dark/non-operable) and greatly reduced my rear visibility when putting the car in reverse given the loss of the rear camera display. This occurred upon leaving work and getting into my parked car.”
NHTSA complaint #11348626, filed 2020-08, 55,000 miles“Tesla upgraded the infotainment system on my car and as a result the screen's view of the backup camera is now extremely dark when used at night. My wife narrowly avoided hitting a tree the first night. The upgraded system's backup camera is almost useless now and a real safety hazard as one can no-longer see the road or any obstacles when reversing at night. Previously, it was a very well performing system. Tesla has not firm timeline to rectify this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11385106, filed 2020-12, 130,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V035000Jan 29, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor…Covers: Tesla Model S 2012–2018, Model X 2016–2018
Related service bulletins
- 10153806Dec 11, 2018On some Model X vehicles traveling at highway speeds, the washer fluid spray might not sufficiently cover the driver's lower windshield.
- 10142978Dec 14, 2017On Model S, the windshield wiper motor bracket might become loose, resulting in a popping or clicking noise during windshield wiper operation.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 7% |
| 2018 | 4 | 2% |
| 2017 | 25 | 6% |
| 2016 | 39 | 6% |
| 2015 | 39 | 6% |
| 2014 | 17 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 5% |
| 2012 | 6 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2015 Tesla Model S
266 complaintsOther or unknown
189 complaintsSuspension
149 complaintsSteering
51 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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