2019 Tesla Model S Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 7%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2019 Tesla Model S, 7% of the 44 complaints for this model year.
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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11561188, filed 2023-12“driving down the road on a 25 degree day. i turned on the front defroster and the entire windshield cracked across the entire windshield. i've heard of other tesla owners having the same problem. cheap untested glass. all teslas need new glass. two weeks later i was driving on a 20 degree day, turned on the rear defrost and the entire rear glass cracked. zero chance that either of these problems were cause by external issues. both occured on sunny days with no other traffic anywhere near me. purely poor material and poor engineering and/or inadequate testing.”
NHTSA complaint #11446265, filed 2022-01“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11701794, filed 2025-11Related 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…
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 2019 Tesla Model S
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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