2016 Tesla Model S Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 6%of 649 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,400miles
- 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 2016 Tesla Model S, 6% of the 649 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,400 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.
“My 2016 Tesla (manufactured in 01/2017, mileage of 60,400) had the issues with the instrument screen blackout several times. Each time, I lost control of the touch screen, which caused the loss of rear camera view, AC, light and drive control, etc., especially the fogged up on windshield. This is a dangerous issue. I sent my car to Tesla service center (tsc) in matthews, nc on 1/16/21 and they refused to repair my emmc as my car's instrument screen could restart up and was not completely dead. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390978, filed 2021-02, 60,569 miles“The car has a defect mcu. All safety feature of the car has been disabled. I can not control climate control. I have lost my rear view camera. I can not make any changes to any setting to my car. I cannot turn off my car and my car is constantly on. I have to pull fuses to shut off certain aspects of my car or my battery will have significant drain while parked. I have brought my car into the a Tesla service center to have the issue repaired. They do not have the parts and keep delaying the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11367069, filed 2020-10, 40,800 miles“My mcu failed which caused a series of safety issues. The backup camera no longer works. I can not control exterior lights. I cannot use the front or rear defroster which is problematic since the AC is stuck on the on position which causes condensation to form on the windshield, but without defrost control I cannot effectively clear the window. In additional all sounds are disabled which means safety systems such as turn signals and other warnings such as forward collision warning do not work nor can these systems be adjusted.”
NHTSA complaint #11338958, filed 2020-07, 88,000 miles“Center screen shut off while driving due to a 'mcu' failure (diagnosed by Tesla service). I lost ability to control taillights, rearview camera, high beams, climate control, charging information, navigation, passenger airbag indicator. I was driving on a multi lane highway when it failed. Drivetrain, brakes and steering seem unaffected. At Tesla service they tried to diagnose, and one of the resets disabled turn signals, which is a legal issue in addition to safety. The screen had rebooted several times on its own in the preceding weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11337637, filed 2020-07, 40,000 miles“The only manual for operation of my car is on screen. The car computer will not load the screen for the manual so we have been unable to access any safety or operation manuals for months. I again took my car to Tesla service this week and the service department said they have no fix. There is no other operation manual and to wait for a firmware update they may help but they are not sure. They refused to replace the mcu. My car is still under full warranty. We suspect the issues with loading the manual is related to failure of the touchscreen/mcu. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377842, filed 2020-12, 36,333 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
- 10173429Mar 17, 2020On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar applique, potentially obscuring the B-pillar camera. This condition might cause…
- 10142978Dec 14, 2017On Model S, the windshield wiper motor bracket might become loose, resulting in a popping or clicking noise during windshield wiper operation.
- 10110750Apr 24, 2017On some Model S vehicles, the leading edge of the glass roof might be a source of wind noise.
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 2016 Tesla Model S
211 complaintsOther or unknown
150 complaintsElectrical system
149 complaintsSteering
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsExterior lighting
49 complaintsForward collision avoidance
39 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsFuel system
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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