Home · 2016 Tesla Model S 75d · Complaints

What 604 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S 75d

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (604)Crash / fire / injury (97)Suspension (204)Electrical system (137)Steering (81)Speed control (74)Brakes (52)Lights (49)Visibility & wipers (37)Body & structure (28)Driver assistance (28)Backup camera & sensors (20)

137 of 604 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 2 of 6

Sep 9, 2021Electrical system

Notes from service center: AC will only work when driving found condenser fans were not turning on, found condenser fan relay melted recommend harness replacement and recheck, harness fixed and ac is working at this time, (Possible ac compressor wear/damage due to high ac pressure and high ramp up speeds. Verified Proper Operation at this time ac works on idle now.

NHTSA ODI 11432278

Aug 16, 2021Electrical systemVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel inadvertently turned blank and the defroster became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle; however, the vehicle memory was reset. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who informed the contact that they could not assist and advised him to depress an unknown button on the instrument panel to record the time of occurrence whenever the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred shortly after receiving the recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated he had not been contacted by the dealer for the recall repair as advised in the recall notification he received. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11429248

Jul 21, 2021Electrical system

Tesla refuses to refund my repaid related to NHTSA Recall No: 21V-035. I made a repair because of this issue back in March 2021 and soon after a recall notice came out on March 22, 2021 which I received at a later date due to the pandemic. I requested a formal refund but Tesla refuses to process my claim. I am bringing this to your attention as I believe this is unfair and Tesla should be accountable for the defective part they placed in my car. Please let me know if you need additional details or information. I think you in advance for your help. Best, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11425826

Jun 28, 2021Electrical system

My Tesla Media Control Unit v2 went to a black dark screen while the car was still on. I just put the car in reverse and the instrument cluster and control unit froze, then did 3 cycles of restarts before coming back on. The whole time I had to press the brake pedal because I wasn't sure if the car had been put back into park by default. Should I have released the brake pedal the car may have rolled into the street and caused an accident if the system failed to allow me to depress the break pedal again. Tesla is doing a "remote" diagnostic but is being very secretive and or non-transparent about the cause of the issue. There was no warning and the cluster and media control unit just froze. This has occurred on 2 previous occasions as well, though thankfully those times I was parked and charging the vehicle rather than about to drive. This is extremely unsafe and quite frankly frightening to drive a vehicle that may at any time shut off without warning not allowing me to pull over or avoid a potential collision.

NHTSA ODI 11422711

Jun 9, 2021Electrical systemLightsLane Departure

This automobile has had the Tesla recall completed, replacing the 8GB with the 64GB. However, this fix is temporary and after a few months the control and information screens are malfunctioning and with ever-increasing frequency. I understand Tesla’s recent update ensures basic driving functions will continue to be operational during a screen blackout but it’s at best distracting and at worst plain dangerous depending on how lights/HVAC are set prior to the screen freeze, not to mention distractions associated with a sudden loss of navigation and an inability to control other components. As a frequent highway driver this is dangerous, even after experiencing various versions of this event. Per Service Dept., the only existing actual (non-temporary) repair for this is replacement with the newer version of the MCU, yet Tesla insists on using language as a loophole, calling the MCU2 an upgrade- which it was, but now as the sole remedy to restore previously existing functionality and safe operation of the effected vehicles, this should not be categorized as an option or an upgrade. Owners should have a better course of action than having to pay for an unwanted “upgrade” to regain original functionality.

NHTSA ODI 11420285

May 29, 2021Electrical system

My Tesla regularly has the instrument panel and center display go completely black and turn off while driving. This includes not being able to adjust climate control, access rear view backup camera, use lane indicators and determine speed or status of autopilot and driving safety features. I have noted this to Tesla Service Center on 3 occasions and they refuse to provide thr necessary repair under the applicable recall notice 21V-035.

NHTSA ODI 11418984

Apr 26, 2021Electrical system

2016 TESLA MODEL S. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-035. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DISPLAY SCREEN WOULD TURN BLACK. REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11413798

Apr 10, 2021Electrical system

THE VCM MALFUNCTION IS CAUSING MY CAR TO SOMETIMES NOT EVEN TURN ON AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND STILL IT'S NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11407380

Feb 13, 2021Electrical system

REAR VIEW CAMERA STOPPED WORKING, DO TO MEMORY BEING FULL.

NHTSA ODI 11396111

Feb 3, 2021Electrical system

DISPLAY BLANKED OUT. TURN SIGNALS, SOUND FROM CAR, AND OTHERS DID NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. CAR DROVE OK EXCEPT FOR DOUBT ABOUT WHAT WAS WORKING. WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BY GOING TO INTERNET AT HOME AND PERFORMING VARIOUS TECHNIQUES.

NHTSA ODI 11394536

Feb 2, 2021Electrical system

MY CENTER CONSOLE AND MCU CONTINUES TO LOCK UP AND RESET. I HAVE ALERTED TESLA SERVICE CENTER MANY TIMES TO THIS ISSUE AND THEY TELL ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE UPGRADE OF THE MCU. THEY ACTUALLY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND TELLING ME THAT MY CAR DOES NOT FALL IN THAT CATEGORY FOR A RECALL. I REALLY THINK THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CULL OUT THE FOLKS THAT ARE NOT PERSISTENT, AND FOR SOME REASON THEY STATE THAT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF SAFETY AND ANXIETY BECAUSE MANY OF THE DRIVING FUNCTIONS ARE DISABLE UNTIL I RESET THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE GIVEN THAT THE CAR COST ME OVER $90,000

NHTSA ODI 11391149

Feb 2, 2021Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS JUST ANNOUNCED FOR RECALL - CENTRAL MCU UNIT CAUSES BLACK SCREEN WHICH STOPS MAJORITY OF CAR FUNCTIONS TO OPERATE. HOWEVER - HERE IS A NEW TWIST! MY UNIT WAS REPLACED 2 WEEKS AGO AND WITHIN 48 HOURS THE PROBLEMS ONGOING BLACK SCREEN PROBLEMS RE-APPEARED TWICE (PLEASE, SEE ATTACHED IMAGE). BROUGHT BACK THE VEHICLE TO TESLA REPAIR CENTER AND AFTER A WEEK TESLA'S RESPONSE - "WE RESET ERRORS AND YOU ARE ALL SET". THESE ORIGINAL MCU1 UNITS ARE FLAWED AND ARE A DANGER TO DRIVERS BECAUSE PROBLEMS CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME - WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, BACKING-UP, PARKING OR CHARGING. THESE ISSUES CANNOT BE RECTIFIED ON THE ROAD AND ARE A TOTAL HAZARD. REPLACING ONE DEAD MCU1 WITH ANOTHER ONE IS SIMPLY DELAYING THE INEVITABLE. TESLA IS AWARE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN PROBLEMS WHICH IS WHY THEY NOT ONLY INTRODUCED A MORE STABLE MCU2 BUT ALSO HAVE BEEN VERY PROACTIVELY PUSHING CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11391190

Feb 1, 2021Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

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. ANDY AT TSC TOLD ME THAT I'D HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY CAR TO DIE COMPLETELY AND TOUCH SCREEN BECOMES DEAD AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO SERVICE IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTEE. IRONICALLY, I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM TSC THIS PAST WEEKEND AND ON MY DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY I-85 SOUTH OUTSIDE CHARLOTTE, NC, I LOST MY TOUCH SCREEN AGAIN (SEE ATTACHED PICTURES). IT IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR TESLA TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM. BY ASKING OWNERS TO EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE TOUCH SCREEN FAILURE BEFORE WARRANTEE SERVICES CAN BE ACTIVATED, TESLA IS COMMITTING SERIOUS CRIMES BY PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGER!

NHTSA ODI 11390978

Jan 27, 2021Electrical systemSpeed controlBackup camera & sensors

WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND EVEN TURNING THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE. THE CENTER INFOTAINMENT STACK BECOMES COMPLETELY FROZEN AND UNUSABLE. FOLLOWING THIS, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESTART, HOWEVER DURING THIS ENTIRE TIME, VITAL SAFETY FEATURES CONTROLLED THROUGH THE CENTER INFOTAINMENT STACK ARE UNAVAILABLE, INCLUDING BACK UP CAMERA FUNCTIONALITY. I HAVE APPLIED FOR THE WARRANTY PROGRAM TESLA HAS FOR REPLACING THE MCU1, HOWEVER, EACH TIME THEY INFORM ME MY CAR DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT WITHOUT ELABORATING ANY FURTHER. HOWEVER, THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY ARE IGNORING.

NHTSA ODI 11390231

Jan 21, 2021Electrical systemLights

NO AUDIO WITH TURN SIGNALS. ANIMATION WORKED ON SCREENS, AND TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTUALLY WORKING, JUST NO AUDIO. CHECKED ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND ALL WORKED INCLUDING BACKUP AND BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER REBOOT OF THE MCU1 AUDIO WORKED.

NHTSA ODI 11389236

Jan 20, 2021Electrical system

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2016 TESLA MODEL S 90D THE "CENTER SCREEN" IN THIS CAR IS CENTRAL TO THE USE OF MANY SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE REVERSE CAMERA, HEADLIGHT CONTROLS, DEFROSTER CONTROLS, AND TURN SIGNAL CHIMES. THE SCREEN IN MY CAR HAS BECOME HIGHLY UNRELIABLE, OFTEN LOCKING UP, REBOOTING, OR FAILING TO RESPOND, CAUSING THE AFOREMENTIONED FUNCTIONS TO BE UNAVAILABLE. IT IS MY OBSERVATION THAT THESE FUNCTIONS WORKED WELL IN THE PAST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY DELIVERED, BUT HAVE DEGRADED OVER TIME AS TESLA HAS PUSHED SOFTWARE UPDATES TO MY CAR. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH TESLA AND AM AWARE OF THE PROPOSED NHTSA RECAL OF THE CENTER SCREENS DUE TO A EMMC FLASH WEAR OUT ISSUE. TESLA HAS ASSURED ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR, AND HAS REQUESTED THAT I WAIT FOR FUTURE SOFTWARE UPDATES TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. HOWEVER, IT IS MY OBSERVATION THAT SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE CONTINUOUSLY MADE THIS SITUATION WORSE, AND TESLA HAS OFFERED NO SPECIFIC DATE ON WHICH THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF A VEHICLE. TESLA HAS ALSO MENTIONED THAT I CAN UPGRADE TO "MCU2" AT A COST OF $3500, AND THAT THIS SYSTEM WORKS MUCH BETTER. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY TO MAINTAIN THE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THEIR VEHICLE. I REQUEST THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THE SCALE OF TESLA "MCU1" CENTER SCREEN ISSUES BEYOND THE EMMC FLASH ISSUE AND WORK WITH TESLA TO MAKE SURE THIS IS RESOLVED QUICKLY FOR THE 150,000 OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES

NHTSA ODI 11389034

Jan 18, 2021Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

THE DISPLAY SCREEN HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. SOUNDS INCLUDING VOICE NAVIGATION AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. RESETTING THE SCREEN FOXES THE ISSUE FOR 1 DAY BUT THEN RETURNS. OTHER SAFETY SOUNDS INCLUDING PROXIMITY SENSORS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11388649

Jan 15, 2021Electrical system

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RE-ENTER ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER, THE CENTRAL SCREEN WAS BLANK. ALL THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND CAN NOT DRIVER UNTIL ALL THE WINDOWS CLEAR UP. THE PIN TO DRIVER CAN NOT ENTER SCREEN WAS BLANK, HAS TO USED THE MOBILE APP TO START THE CAR TO DRIVE. ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, THE SCREEN REBOOTED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11388283

Jan 15, 2021Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE ELECTRONIC OWNERS MANUAL COULD NOT BE ACCESSED ON THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. OVER TIME, THE SCREEN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO BLANK AND OTHER FEATURES ON THE HOME SCREEN WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TESLA FACTORY SERVICE CENTER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT A REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT WAS NOT AVAILABLE HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WOULD PROVIDE A SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER SEVERAL SOFTWARE UPDATES, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.*DT CONSUMER HAS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 7+TIMES, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF UPGRADE OF THE SOFTWARE.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11388341

Jan 14, 2021Electrical system

THE 2016 TESLA MODEL S MCU HAD BEEN SLUGGISH AND OFTEN TIMES FREEZES. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A RISK FOR DRIVING AS I CANNOT ACCESS OR SEE ANYTHING ON THE SCREEN. LOTS OF TIMES THE FRONT SCREEN AND THE MCU SCREEN TURNS OFF. I CALLED TESLA AND THEY DELETED THE ENTIRE HISTORY CACHING, BUT THAT WORKED FOR A BIT, BUT THEN WAS SLOW AND SLUGGISH. THE MCU WILL GO OUT A WEEK LATER. OFTEN TIMES, I WOULD GET IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WILL NOT BOOT UP FOR A COUPLE MINUTES. TRYING TO CHANGE SETTINGS ON THE MCU WOULD BE AN SLOW PROCESS. SOMETIMES THERE WERE GLITCHES WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE SCREENS LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH MAKES DRIVING DANGEROUS. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE THE MCU. I ENDED UP PAYING $2700 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MCU. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEN ON LESS THAN A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WHEN I DID THIS. EVEN WITH TESLA EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE MCU WAS NOT COVERED.

NHTSA ODI 11388098

Jan 14, 2021Electrical system

I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES STARTING IN OCTOBER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS MY MEDIA CONTROL UNIT CUTS OUT / GOES BLACK AND RESETS ITSELF. IT DOES THIS RANDOMLY INCLUDING WHEN I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHILE THIS DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY IMPACT MY ABILITY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IT IS DISTRACTING WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING. TESLA HAS ISSUED SOME ADVISORY ABOUT AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MCU, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT A FIRMWARE UPDATE WILL RESOLVE THIS OR TO DO A HARD RESET ON THE SYSTEM TO RESOLVE THIS. THE HARD RESET TAKES 3 - 5 MINUTES TO RESET AND IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION IN MY OPINION. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICES WITH NOTES FROM THE SERVICE CENTER / TECHNICIANS FROM WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI 11388093

Dec 28, 2020Electrical system

TESLA HAS A DAUGHTERBOARD MEMORY CARD RECALL IN PLACE, AND THE DISPLAYS IN MY CARD KEPT GOING BLANK FOR LONG PERIODS WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE MEMORY FAULT. DURING THE RECALL REPLACEMENT PROCESS ON MY CAR (9 DEC 2020) TESLA RAN DIAGNOSTICS THAT SHOWED THAT THE MCU WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THAT DEFECT IMPACTED THE DAUGHTER CARD SO THAT BOTH THE MCU AND DAUGHTERBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPTION TO REPLACE THE DAUGHTER CARD WITHOUT ALSO REPLACING THE MCU. THE DAUGHTER CARD RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED AN MCU REPLACEMENT BECAUSE DEFECTS IN THE LATTER CORRUPT OPERATION OF THE FORMER. I WAS CHANGED FOR THE MCU REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTICS; THE NEW MCU INCLUDES A REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE DAUGHTER CARD, BUT I WAS NOT REFUNDED FOR THE RECALLED DAUGHTER CARD. TESLA CLAIMS A REFUND FOR THE DAUGHTER CARD MAY BE FORTHCOMING. NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THE MCU AND TESLA SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REFUND FOR REPLACED MCUS, LABOR, AND DIAGNOSTIC FEES.

NHTSA ODI 11385312

Dec 27, 2020Electrical systemVisibility & wipersDriver assistance

TESLA MODEL S CENTER TOUCHSCREEN AND ASSOCIATED ASSISTANCE &INFORTAINMENT FEATURES HAVE BECOME UNSTABLE AND PERFORM CORRECTLY ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. WOULD HAVE CHECKED MORE BOXES ABOVE IN TERMS OF SYSTEMS AFFECTED BUT ONLY ALLOWED 3. BACKUP CAMERA SLOW TO COME UP (WHEN WORKING). SYSTEM SHUTDOWNS AND REBOOTS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. BACKUP CAMERA, CLIMATE CONTROL, DEFOGGING SYSTEMS, HEAD LIGHT CONTROL, VEHICLE LOCK/UNLOCK, TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR NOICE, AND ALL DRIVER ASSISTANCE SUCH AS AUTOMATIC BREAKING, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, NAVIGATION ETC ARE AFFECTED WHEN THIS OCCURS. VARIETY OF ERRORS WITH ENTIRE TOUCHSCREEN SYSTEM INCLUDING LACK OF RESPONSE TO VOICE COMMANDS, PHONE CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROLS OCCUR NEARLY EVERY DAY WHETHER CONNECTED TO WIFI, LTE, DRIVING OR STATIONARY. AUDIO SYSTEM WILL SOMETIMES CHANGE VOLUME WHEN THESE ERRORS OCCUR OR WILL BE UNAVAILABLE TO CHANGE TO A SAFER VOLUME. ISSUES HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST YEAR AT LEAST BUT HAVE BECOME MUCH WORSE OVER TIME. HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT UP THESE CONCERNS WITH MANUFACTURER WHO STATES SYSTEM IS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER STANDARDS AND/OR "KNOWN FIRMWARE ISSUE". THESE ISSUES ABSOLUTELY AFFECT DRIVING SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 11385124

Dec 15, 2020Electrical systemLightsLane Departure

MULTIPLE CENTER SCREEN FAILURES EXPERIENCED SINCE OCTOBER 2020. MOST NOTABLE HIGHWAY DRIVING INCIDENTS LISTED BELOW. 18NOV2020 WHILE DRIVING CENTER SCREEN BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS STUCK ON LEVEL 3. THE TURN SIGNAL SOUND CONTINUED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED OFF. CLIMATE CONTROLS COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF. NO RESPONSE TO RADIO SELECTIONS. 10 MINS LATER THE RADIO CAME ON AT A VERY LOUD VOLUME, BUT UNABLE TO REDUCE OR MUTE VOLUME. VOLUME MUTED AFTER 10 MINS. THE SCREEN REBOOTED, NO CELL SIGNAL. 19NOV2020 DRIVING, THE TOUCH SCREEN WENT BLACK. ATTEMPTED TO REBOOT USING THE SCROLL BUTTONS SEVERAL TIMES. IT DID NOT RESPOND. I REBOOTED THE DRIVER'S SCREEN, THEN THE CENTER SCREEN BEGAN TO REBOOT. THE TESLA SYMBOL APPEARED AND DISAPPEARED 4 TIMES OVER 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE CENTER SCREEN CAME ON. CAR UNABLE TO CONNECT TO CELL SERVICES FOR SEVERAL DAYS. 26NOV2020 DRIVING, ALL SYSTEMS APPEAR TO BE NORMAL ACCEPT THERE'S NO VOLUME, AND NO TURN SIGNALS. CENTER SCREEN WENT BLACK. CANNOT STOP VENTILATION. 4 HOURS AFTER PARKING CAR THE VENTILATION IS STILL ON, BUT THE DRIVER SCREEN SHOWS THAT THE VENTILATION IS OFF. CENTER SCREEN DOES NOT RESPOND TO REBOOT ATTEMPTS. BATTERY POWER GETTING LOW. FINALLY RECOVERED CENTER SCREEN AFTER 36 HOURS. 02DEC2020 CENTER SCREEN WENT BLACK AND DID NOT COME BACK ON. REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT WITH TESLA MADE. EARLIEST APPOINTMENT IS 21DEC2020. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REBOOT CENTER SCREEN AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. 12 DAYS LATER AND SCREEN IS STILL NOT RECOVERABLE. WHEN THE CENTER SCREEN GOES BLACK THE FOLLOWING FEATURES ARE OUT OF COMMISSION: TURN SIGNALS BACK UP CAMERA CLIMATE CONTROL & SEAT HEATERS(IF ON, I CANNOT TURN IT OFF) HAZARD LIGHTS TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS AUTOPILOT FEATURES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL LANE DEPARTURE WARNING BLIND SPOT WARNING INFOTAINMENT CHARGING CONTROLS

NHTSA ODI 11383462

Dec 5, 2020Electrical system

MAIN ONBOARD COMPUTER CONSISTENTLY FREEZING AND CRASHING. REGULARLY MUST POWER CYCLE THE VEHICLE TO GET MAIN SCREEN TO BOOT. MAPS, NAVIGATION AND ALL CONTROL FUNCTIONS ACCESSIBLE VIA THE CENTER SCREEN ARE INACCESSIBLE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. BACK UP CAMERA, DEFROSTERS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ALSO BECOME DISABLED WHEN THE SCREEN FREEZES. TESLA TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT MCU AND ORDERED THE PART. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. INSTEAD THEY CLEARED THE DATA CACHE, TURNED OFF MY POWER SAVER MODE FUNCTION(THAT WAS NOT ACTIVE BUT WAS ENABLED) AND TOLD ME TO RESET THE CAR OR BRING IT BACK IN IF IT PERSISTS. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO DIAGNOSE FURTHER. I HAVE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS OPERATING A VEHICLE THAT RELIES ON ITS TECHNOLOGY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I'D LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED MORE CLOSELY. RYAN SMITH, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT TESLA REFUSED TO SHARE THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS, AND SAID THAT IF THE PART (MCU OR ITS COMPONENTS) FAILS THEY WILL REPLACE IT, BUT THAT IT HASN'T FAILED. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WAITING FOR IT TO FAIL BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED. ATTACHED IS THE SERVICE RECEIPT WITH DETAILS OF WHAT WAS DONE. PLEASE ASSIST. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11378027

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 604 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Tesla Model S 75d verdict →