2020 Tesla Model S Back-over prevention (rear camera) Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the back-over prevention of the 2020 Tesla Model S, 3% of the 80 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping carts are housed). 2.Instead of stopping or rerouting safely, the car collided with the structure, causing visible damage to the front of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11689122, filed 2025-09“When backing up, multiple systems failed at the same time including backup camera, backup sensor distance visuals, backup sensor audio alerts, writing data to flash drive, GPS sensors. Tesla was unable to diagnose the sysfiles to identify the hardware issue behind the simultaneous failures because they are deleted after seven days. Scheduling a service appointment takes much longer than seven days. No one at Tesla can tell me why this happened. No one can assure me that it will not happen again. I hope this is not a widespread issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11437487, filed 2021-10Related 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…
Back-over prevention (rear camera): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 20 | 5% |
| 2016 | 21 | 3% |
| 2015 | 13 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2020 Tesla Model S
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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