Home · 2017 Tesla Model S 75d · Complaints

What 379 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 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 (379)Crash / fire / injury (50)Electrical system (104)Suspension (104)Steering (42)Driver assistance (41)Speed control (33)Lights (24)Visibility & wipers (23)Brakes (20)Lane Departure (19)Backup camera & sensors (17)

17 of 379 complaints match · Backup camera & sensors · clear filters

Mar 20, 2025Backup camera & sensors

Car auto accelerated in parking lot structure. Hit column; air bags did not deploy so no injury to me, the driver. Dealer refuses to confirm the data to support their conclusion that driver was at fault. Vehicle inspected by dealer owned collision center and dealer related insurance company. No warning or messages prior to auto acceleration.

NHTSA ODI 11649563

Jan 28, 2025Backup camera & sensors

Computer software failure. Intermittent problem that started with a recent software update. When backing out of a parking space, car will move a few feet then go into park and set the parking brake. Putting car back into reverse allows the car to move about 2 feet then the parking brake re engages. This has repeated more than 6 times in the process of backing out of a parking space. (There was at lease 3' of clearance to the sides of the vehicle and nothing behind the vehicle.) This is very dangerous when backing out of a diagonal parking space that is along the side of a busy road. I have scheduled Tesla service for the soonest appointment which is 2 weeks from now.

NHTSA ODI 11639082

Aug 5, 2024Backup camera & sensors

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11606460

Aug 28, 2023Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

The screen that shows the rear view camera turns on intermittently when engaged. It will often not turn on when shipped to reverse. The sentry system has stopped working as well as the main screen will shut off while driving from time to time, which removes the ability to turn on any heat or air, defroster etc... This was a previous recall and I am a new purchaser of the vehicle. I notified Tesla, they stated that they see where it is having issues but it was already recalled and fixed and any new fixes are no longer under the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11541254

Aug 7, 2023Backup camera & sensorsLightsVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 MPH, the back over prevention camera showed a completely black screen. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11536935

Jul 7, 2022LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) and the vehicle was taken to the local Tesla Service Center for recall repair however, upon picking up the vehicle, the center display screen turned black and was no longer operative. The vehicle was taken back to the Tesla Service Center where it was diagnosed that the computer chip that allowed the vehicle audio and radio to operate needed to be updated. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay out-of-pocket for the repair. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,715.

NHTSA ODI 11472815

Oct 13, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, an unknown dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 55-65 MPH, the navigation screen inadvertently turned blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rearview camera would turn on with delay while reversing. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. Parts distribution disconnect

NHTSA ODI 11436612

Aug 13, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the center console and display screen would go completely black. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11428960

Jun 10, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced an unstated the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11420419

May 27, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the instrument panel went blank and the contact was unable to control any electronic features inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the Back Over Prevention warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he experienced the failure several times per week. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the software needed to be updated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed the vehicle was not eligible for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418717

Apr 14, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TESLA LOCATED AT 3248 LIONSHEAD AVE, CARLSBAD, CA 92010, (760) 305-4041) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11408148

Mar 9, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREEN WENT BLACK OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11400017

Jan 28, 2021Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

THE TESLA MODEL S MAIN SCREEN BLACKED OUT, CAUSING ME TO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ANY OF THE CAR'S CONTROL SYSTEM OTHER THAN TO DRIVE IT (NO BACKUP CAMERA, CLIMATE CONTROL, MUSIC, DOOR LOCKING, SUSPENSION ADJUSTING, TURN SIGNAL CHIMING, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SAFETY FEATUES). WHEN I TOOK IT TO TESLA, THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM BUT TOLD ME TO FIX THE ROOT OF IT, I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR AN "MCU2 UPGRADE" OF OVER $1000 EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE COMPUTER CHIP IS BAD (AND WILL GO BAD AGAIN). THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND OTHER TIMES WHEN IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11390558

Jan 19, 2021Visibility & wipersLane DepartureBackup camera & sensors

MY TESLA IS EXPERIENCING THE MCU PROBLEMS OUTLINED IN NHTSA EA20-003 FROM 13 JAN 21 AND PRIOR. WHILE IN MOTION, ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, AND REGARDLESS OF SPEED, MY VEHICLE'S MCU WILL SPONTANEOUSLY AND AT RANDOM INTERVALS FREEZE. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF HEAT/COOLING, FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTERS, INFOTAINMENT/GPS, ADAS SAFETY FEATURES AND CONVENIENCE, ALL CAMERAS INCLUDING BACKUP CAMERA, AND TURN SIGNAL AUDIO INDICATORS. THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO STOP MY VEHICLE, ISSUE A REBOOT COMMAND, AND WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR SYSTEMS TO RESTORE. TESLA INITIALLY DENIED THE ISSUE, BUT THEN UNDER TESLA'S 9 NOV 2020 "WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM" REPLACED THE MCU DAUGHTERBOARD. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. TESLA NOW STATES THE MCU IS OPERATING NORMALLY BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A FIX IS REQUIRED IN SOFTWARE THAT WILL, AT AN INDETERMINATE TIME, BECOME AVAILABLE AND THAT UNTIL SUCH A FIX IS RELEASED, SYSTEM REBOOTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED AS NEEDED. THE MCU CONTINUES TO FREEZE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE THE DAUGHTERBOARD REPLACEMENT. THE RECOMMENDED SOLUTION TO REBOOT CANNOT BE PERFORMED WHILE DRIVING BUT MUST BE PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY TO RESTORE SAFETY FUNCTIONALITY. TESLA HAS OFFERED A $2,500 MCU REPLACEMENT/UPGRADE THAT PROMISES TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SINCE THE NEWER MCU HAS MORE STORAGE AND AN INTEL ATOM CPU INSTEAD OF A SLOWER NVIDIA CPU. TESLA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING MCU WITH A SIMILAR PART IN THE MEANTIME, DESPITE INITIALLY ACKNOWLEDGING AN ISSUE AND ATTEMPTING A FIX BY REPLACING THE DAUGHTERBOARD, AND ERASING THE SYSTEM DUE TO POSSIBLE "CORRUPTION" TWICE.

NHTSA ODI 11388822

Jan 14, 2021Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

MY VEHICLES MAIN SCREEN CONSISTENTLY DOES NOT WORK. THE SCREEN IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HOSTS MY BACK UP CAMERA, THE PIN CODE NEEDED TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE TO PUT IT DRIVE, MY BLUETOOTH SETTINGS, AC FUNCTIONALITY, ETC. THE SCREEN HAS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FROZE ( WHILE PROVIDING NAVIGATION) SIMPLY NOT TURNED ON AND HAD TO BE RESET USING MANUAL CONTROLS, AND RESTARTED WHILE MID DRIVING AND THEREFORE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE DIRECTIONS MID DRIVE. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO TESLA AND THEY SIMPLY DID A FIRMWARE RESET WHICH RESOLVED NO ISSUE. THESE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, PARKED, ON FREEWAY, CITY DRIVING, ALL SITUATIONS. I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE BACK IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES OTHER THAN THIS. BUT THIS ISSUES HAS BEEN REOCCURRING THROUGHOUT MY SHORT TIME OWNING THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11388110

Nov 18, 2020Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

THE MCU SCREEN GOES BLANK REPEATEDLY. IT REQUIRES A REBOOT. WHEN THIS OCCURS LOSS OF NUMEROUS VEHICLE FUNCTIONS OCCURS WHICH CREATES SAFETY ISSUES. CONTROL OF DEFOGGING, REAR BACK UP CAMERA ETC ARE SOME OF THE LAST SAFETY FEATURES. CURRENTLY HAS ONLY OCCURRED IN STATIONARY VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11375164

Nov 17, 2020Electrical systemLightsBackup camera & sensors

THE MCU TOUCHSCREEN FAILS CONSTANTLY CAUSING NO ACCESS TO REAR VIEW CAMERA, AC CONTROLS, NAVIGATION, AND LOSS OF PRESET SETTINGS FOR MIRRORS AND DRIVE SEAT POSITION. REBOOT TAKES OVER 5 MINS WHILE CAR IS IN OPERATION TO NO AC WORKING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OVER 10 TIMES DUE TO BURNED OUT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I HAVE PAID FOR THE LAST REPLACEMENT ONLY FOR IT TO FAIL AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11375158

Working with the data? Download all 379 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 2017 Tesla Model S 75d verdict →