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Tesla Model S Recall 21V035: Center Display Can Fail, Losing Rearview Camera and Turn Signals

NHTSA campaign 21V035, reported January 29, 2021, 134,951 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The center display's storage memory can wear out over time. When it reaches the end of its life, the display can lose functions such as the rearview camera image, defrost and defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting. Losing these reduces your visibility and raises the risk of a crash.

To address this, update your vehicle to firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer. This update alerts owners when the memory is approaching the end of its life. Tesla will also notify owners and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one that has an enhanced memory controller, at no cost. Contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752, referencing recall SB-21-21-001, and check your VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 21V035Tesla, Inc.
Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Problem
Tesla, 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 and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Risk
The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Tesla Model S2012201320142015201620172018
Tesla Model X201620172018