2017 TESLA MODEL S Exterior Lighting Problems

I have documented examples of 3 total incidents now where a Tesla OTA "Update" on my vehicle caused a safety issue. Event 1: Nov 27, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my left turn light non-functional for ~24 hours. Resolution per forums only was to not touch the card for 24 hours to allow it to shift into "sleep" mode which would resolve the issue. Instructions were that only a service center could resolve the issue. Event 2: Sept 3, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my car unable to charge. The issue is resolved following a ~24 hour "sleep" cycle which allows my car to somehow resume charging. Telsa advised the only resolution was to come in for service and to replace a $3000 part. Event 3: Sept 23, 2025. Tesla OTA Update once again renders my car unable to use it's left turn light. Power cycling the vehicle was able to resolve the issue but once again the instructions was only that service could resolve the issue. Each "update" risks sigificant "safety" related issues and Tesla's only resolution is to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to "troubleshoot" that which shouldn't be a problem.

Tesla originally confirmed issues with the MCU1 system in my vehicle and upgraded it to MCU2. I Paid $1,599 for the repair/upgrade. Since then, the center screen has continued shutting off while driving. When this happens, the instrument cluster and controls go dark, I cannot see my speed, use the blinkers to signal, operate the AC/defroster, or access other critical vehicle functions. This has occurred multiple times on highways, including US-22 in New Jersey, which created serious danger because I could not monitor speed or signal properly. Although Tesla addressed the MCU1 problem by upgrading me to MCU2, they told me afterward the vehicle was still “safe to drive,” despite the failures continuing. I believe this is unsafe because I lose visibility of all driving information and access to basic controls. Tesla now refuses to repair these ongoing problems. After I raised complaints about the severity of the issue, I was dismissed and mocked for my speech disability during phone calls, and Tesla placed me on a service restriction. As a result, I am unable to obtain further repairs for this safety defect. I am afraid to drive the car. No Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Parking Collision Warning, or Rear Cross Traffic Warning features were involved in this failure.

I don't have this problem anymore because I had the circuit board replaced. The issue I have observed is the auto high beam feature doesn't work properly. They get stuck in the high setting and don't adapt to on-coming traffic. It's primarily in model y cars but all models have been observed. This might be as simple as needing the adaptive setting to be default or in my case a new control board replaced. The remedy before I got it fixed was to not have high engaged with the stock. I don't think there is a manual solution with the y or any newer teslas.

Daylight Running Lights (DRLs) burned out, and Tesla charges exorbitant amounts to repair each DRL and headlight assembly, over $3,500 for each side. This is apparently a known issue with all 2017-2021 Tesla Model S vehicles, as it is widely discussed on Tesla owner forums. The DRLs are prone to repeated failures even after being replaced. Tesla will replace the DRL and headlight assembly as long as the vehicle is under warranty, but will not replace the failed DRL and headlight assembly after the warranty expires unless the vehicle owner pays for the replacement. This would seem to be a known chronic failure item, and since the DRLs are a safety feature, it would seem that Tesla should stand behind their vehicles and resolve this failure as a recall.

The daytime running lights dim and burn out after only a few year late and happen repeatedly even after the warranty has expired. It is a very expensive fix but is clearly a design problem because it looks to be happening across all models S’s

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.

Mileage: 86,000

The eyebrow on the drivers side needs to be replaced for the third time within 3 years. This is a safety issue for visibility.

Right Headlight and running light failed. Can or replace bulbs. Tesla wants $1500 Ro replace a headlight!

Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to fail. The lights dim then eventually no longer work. Tesla's solution is to have the customer purchase a brand new headlight at $1438.33. My vehicle is 4 years old and has been through. Tesla should either goodwill swap out these headlights for a non-built to fail component, or offer a repair for a quality LED strip with proper heat distribution. Without daytime running lights safety is a major concern on foggy, rainy, and low light situations. I have attached an image showing how the failure begins on top then slowly goes all the way down to the side of the headlight which fails later.

Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The day

Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to fail. The lights dim then eventually no longer work. Tesla's solution is to have the customer purchase a brand new headlight at $1500. My vehicle is 4 years old and has been through 3 pairs of headlights already, when the last set burnt out I just left them as is. Tesla should either goodwill swap out these headlights for a non-built to fail component, or offer a repair for a quality LED strip with proper heat distribution. Without daytime running lights safety is a major concern on foggy, rainy, and low light situations. I have attached an image showing how the failure begins on top then slowly goes all the way down to the side of the headlight which fails later.

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.

Mileage: 13,715

Unknown My daytime driving lights for safety have begun to go out. It has been a long standing complaint but they refuse to fix mine under an expired warranty and I was quoted $1650 each to replace. I was told they would do a good will replacement but they will not. There are many complaints on the Tesla forums.

The LED daytime running lights are failing for the second time on my vehicle. By failing, I mean they are burning out and no longer effective. This is a well-known issue with Tesla vehicles, however Tesla is doing nothing to resolve the problem. The only solution offered is to pay for an entire set of new headlights which costs nearly $2,600. The replacement headlights eventually fail within 24 months. Not having daytime running lights could be a safety issue. Tesla is aware of the component failure however no recalls for this defective part has been issued. I believe most Tesla owners of the "refreshed" Model S experience a degradation of the LED portion of the headlights, which are the daytime running lights. Today I was quoted $2,582 to replace both headlights. My lights were previously replaced in 2019 under the original vehicle warranty. Is there anything that can be done to have the lights replaced under a recall or have Tesla cover the cost of the repair?

Headlight premature failure

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

Mileage: 58,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 18,000

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.

Mileage: 40,000

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.

SINCE LAST YEAR, I'VE BEEN HAVING FREQUENT(6-8WEEKS) ISSUES WITH THIS CAR ALL CENTRAL TOUCHSCREEN RELATED. IT STARTED SMALL BUT KEEPS GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER. I DON'T DRIVE MUCH SINCE COVID AND I THINK IF THAT WASN'T THE CASE THE ISSUE WOULD'VE BEEN UNBEARABLE. LAST NOVEMBER IT WAS JUST THE SCREEN SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS JAN/FEB THE ISSUE WORSENED WHERE THE SCREEN/LIGHTS ACTED LIKE THEY WERE POSSESSED, THE CENTRAL SCREEN DISPLAY SHOWED A BATTERY WARNING TO PULL OVER AS THE CAR IS ABOUT TO DIE EVEN THE OTHER SCREEN SHOWED OVER 200MILES LEFT. THE WORST OF IT ALL, I WAS ON A NARROW STREET(1LANE EACH) GOING HOME, I HAD NO NOISE NO MUSIC IN THE CAR. THE CAR WENT FROM SILENT TO EXTREMELY LOUD ON ITS OWN. EVERY SINGLE ALARM WARNING SOUND IN THE CAR STARTED AT THE EXACT SAME TIME AT FULL VOLUME. STARTLED, I VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND QUICKLY PULLED OVER. IF THERE WERE OTHER CARS NEARBY I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TESLA HIGHLIGHTING MOST OF THE ISSUES EXCEPT THE SOUND COMPONENT. THE SERVICE CENTER REFUSED TO FIX ISSUES STATING THAT IT DOESN'T AFFECT DRIVING. EXCEPT THAT IT DOES BY STARTLING YOU TO CRASH. NO OTHER CAR DOES THAT. BOTH THE RECALL LETTER AND THE 1800# CONFIRM THAT THESE ISSUES STEM FROM A PIECE OF HARDWARE THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER DOES NOT WANT TO FIX OR REPLACE THE TOUCHSCREEN. HE SAYS IT'LL BE 1500$ TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNDER WARRANTY AND ASSURED ME NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE PROBLEMS WILL THEN STOP. HE KEPT SAYING THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL TEMPORARILY PATCH THINGS UP UNTIL THE NEXT BREAKDOWN WHICH IS GUARANTEED AND USUALLY EVERY 2 MONTHS OR SO. SERIOUSLY HOW CAN A SOFTWARE UPDATE FIX A HARDWARE ISSUE(THAT HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE EVEN THOUGH HIS COMPANY HAS). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A BETTER PART OF A YEAR. I SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO PAY FOR SAFETY AT THIS POINT THE SERVICE CTR IS IGNORING ME

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.

Mileage: 45,000

I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER REPEATEDLY REGARDING THE EMMC UNIT FAILURE WHERE IT HAS GONE COMPLETELY BLANK AND TURNS OFF DURING MY DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES. I LOSE ALL AIR CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, REARVIEW CAMERA, AND EVERYTHING THAT THE MAIN MCU UNIT CONTROLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE DURING THE NIGHT WHEN I LOST VISIBILITY DUE TO THE FOGGING INSIDE AND NO DEFOGGING CONTROL AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY ON DECEMBER 22, 2020 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT, WHICH THEY DIAGNOSED VIA LOGS ON THEIR END AND NEVER AGREED TO PHYSICALLY DIAGNOSE MY CAR IN PERSON. THEY KEEP CLAIMING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A FUTURE FIRMWARE UPGRADE, FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT KNOW THE TIMELINE AT ALL SINCE THE ENGINEERS ARE STILL WORKING ON IT, AND THAT THIS IS NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE. I DETAILED ALL THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING WHERE EITHER MY SCREEN WOULD FREEZE UP OR GO BLACK AND TURN OFF COMPLETELY AND GAVE THEM EXACT DATES/TIMESTAMPS. EACH TIME THEY SAW THERE WAS AN ERROR AND VERIFIED THAT THE LOGS SHOWED AN ISSUE BUT THAT THIS WAS STILL NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE AND I HAVE TO JUST PUT UP WITH THIS UNTIL THE FIRMWARE UPGRADE IS ROLLED OUT. THIS WAS THEIR JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT REPLACING MY UNIT UNDER THE WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM, AND NOW I DON'T SEE MY VIN IN THE RECALL DATABASE EITHER. I AM FRUSTRATED AND EXPRESSED TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES THAT I AM HONESTLY SCARED DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE LOGGED ALL THE MESSAGING CONVERSATION WITH THEM AS PROOF, AND I HAVE VIDEOS, PICTURES SHOWING THE FAILURES AS THEY OCCURRED. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THESE ISSUES OCCURRED TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM BEFORE I FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN, OR I HAVE HAD TO SIT IN PARK WHEN I START MY CAR AND WAIT UNTIL I REBOOT BEFORE I CAN START DRIVING.

Mileage: 58,000

TOUCH SCREEN IS COMPLETELY BLACK MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK. USUALLY AT BEGINNING OF TRIPS, BUT OCCASIONALLY SUDDENLY OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRIPS. BLACK OUT CAN LAST UPWARDS OF 10 MINUTES (PER SMARTPHONE STOP WATCH). TOUCHSCREEN BLACKOUT LIMITS ACCESS TO FOG LIGHT CONTROLS, BACK UP CAMERA, GARAGE CONTROLS, PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR, AND ALL AUDIBLE WARNINGS INCLUDING EMERGENCY BRAKE ALERT AND TURN SIGNAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER TESLA'S NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY. I REQUESTED SERVICE ON 10/17. WAS SCHEDULED TO BRING CAR IN ON 11/12 (NEXT AVAILABLE). THEY SAID IT WAS DONE ON 11/13 AFTER ONLY COMPLETING A DIAGNOSTIC AND A FIRMWARE FLASH. NO HARDWARE MODIFICATIONS WERE COMPLETED. SAME SYMPTOMS REOCCURRED ON 11/23. I CONTACTED THEM THAT SAME DAY AND THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT OF 12/18. TODAY (11/24) THEY CONTACTED ME TO RECOMMEND I CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT AS THE ISSUE IS (THEY SAY) SOFTWARE BASED AND THEY "FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE HARDWARE" VIA REMOTE DIAGNOSTIC. VIDEO LINK BELOW OF A RECENT 7 MINUTE BLACK OUT. HTTPS://PHOTOS.APP.GOO.GL/3BDBAFQ7YLVJTXFU7 I HAVE ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE FORMS OF RESET/REBOOT WHEN THIS OCCURS WITH NO NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS.

Mileage: 61,000

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.

Mileage: 108,000

MY CAR'S MCU (MEDIA CONTROL UNIT TOUCHSCREEN) IS NEAR DEATH AND 900 MILES FROM BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SCREEN WENT BLACK ON ME FOR AN ENTIRE DAY BEFORE COMING BACK AND CONSTANTLY FREEZES AND NEEDS REBOOTS. DURING THIS TIME, I LOST ABILITY TO TURN ON AND OFF THE HEADLIGHTS, MUST RELY ON AUTO. LOST ABILITY TO CONTROL THE HVAC AND DEFROST. LOST ABILITY TO ADJUST AIR SUSPENSION. LOST ABILITY TO USE BACKUP CAMERA.

Mileage: 49,000