NHTSA Asks Tesla to Recall Model S and Model X Over Touch Screen Safety Issues
Problems with the screen can prevent driver access to key controls and safety systems, potentially affecting 158,000 vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked Tesla to recall approximately 158,000 Model S and Model X EVs that could have a problem related to their display screen, backup camera, window defogger and defroster, and other safety-related functions, the agency said in a letter sent to Tesla.
NHTSA says that failure of the backup camera or window defroster and defogger can lead to injury or death. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
“Tesla needs to step up and put the safety of its customers first, and, failing that, at least follow the law, which makes clear they must recall these vehicles and fix the defect right away,” says David Friedman, Consumer Reports’ vice president for advocacy and also a former NHTSA Deputy and Acting Administrator. “NHTSA should use its full resources to secure the recall and hold Tesla accountable for its failure to do so, since the records clearly show the automaker knew about this defect for a long time.”
According to NHTSA, its Office of Defects Investigation found that the problem stems from a faulty screen system that—when it fails—causes a failure of the vehicle’s media control unit (MCU) on certain 2012–2018 Model S and 2016–2018 Model X vehicles.
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The screen issues could create unique risks for drivers, should the system experience problems, as highlighted by some Consumer Reports member comments in our surveys, including our Auto Reliability Surveys: A 2018 Model S owner from New Jersey wrote: "Driving along and the entire display and dashboard goes black. Cannot monitor speed or anything else, but the car continues to operate.”
An owner in Michigan shared the experience he had with his screen: "It just goes blank and none of the features are accessible."
A screen problem can limit the driver’s ability to control many systems. A California owner of a 2017 Model S told us in a CR survey: "After one of Tesla's automatic software updates, my screen stopped working correctly, froze sometimes, would turn off and on every 10 seconds, GPS would freeze, music would play for 10 seconds, stop and then start again, etc. Because it also controls the climate, it's problematic. And worst of all, took a month to get an appointment to have someone look at it. Not what I expect from a $100,000+ car."
Another 2017 Model S owner wrote in a recent survey: "On start the central display failed to boot up. In fact after several attempts, the service people had to replace the entire central console (screen)."
As these examples illustrate, problems can and do happen with the screens. (You can find ratings of 17 reliability trouble spots and comments from owners on the car model pages at CR.org/cars.) Looking at the history of in-car electronics for these vehicles, we find a track record of below-average reliability for the Model S and a rocky one for the Model X.
The need to replace hardware in a new, expensive vehicle can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially if it has to be done more than once. Another owner from Washington state told Consumer Reports he had the MCU replaced three times on a 2012 Model S with 41,000 miles, and had to pay $2,200 for the last repair because it was out of warranty.
“It is good to see NHTSA acting on this, and we hope to see the agency lean into its role as an aggressive watchdog for consumers in the weeks, months, and years ahead,” says Friedman. “This is part of a long pattern of Tesla refusing to address safety issues and issue recalls.”
Consumers who experience this problem should seek immediate repairs from their local Tesla service center. Ideally, the automaker will provide repairs without charge. If not, make sure to hold on to the billing paperwork. As the automaker works through this with NHTSA, there may be an opportunity to be reimbursed for work performed outside of warranty.
Motorists who experience a serious safety issue with any vehicle should file a complaint with NHTSA using the agency's online tool. This allows the safety agency to discover emerging problems and work to address them with the automaker, if appropriate.
Photo: Consumer Reports Photo: Consumer Reports
