Tesla recalls over 218,000 cars due to a rearview camera problem that could lead to accidents

Tesla Issues Recall for Over 218,000 Vehicles Over Rearview Camera Delay

Tesla is recalling upwards of 218,000 vehicles because of a delay in the rearview camera images. This issue could potentially heighten the risk of accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall was announced on Wednesday.

The vehicles involved include around 218,868 units of the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X.

The specific models affected comprise the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Tesla Model Y; the 2021 and 2022 Model 3; the 2020 Model Y; and the 2022 and 2023 Model S and Model X. Additionally, the recall extends to some 2017 Model 3 vehicles.

These vehicles are equipped with hardware version 3, which Tesla stopped using as of January 2024.

NHTSA pointed out that the rearview camera’s display might lag when a vehicle is shifted into reverse. This delay could make it more challenging for drivers to see what’s behind them.

In the recall notice, NHTSA warned, “The loss of rearview camera images can impact the driver’s rear visibility and increase the risk of a collision.” While the agency noted that drivers might still check their surroundings using mirrors or by looking outside, the main concern remains the potential visibility problem.

So far, Tesla has not reported any accidents, deaths, or injuries directly linked to this malfunction. However, there have been 27 warranty claims and two field reports that may be associated with the camera delay.

The company has stated that it will deploy free over-the-air software updates to rectify the issue.

The problematic software version is noted as 2026.8.6, while the updated version intended to fix the issue will be 2026.8.6.1. Tesla has mentioned that over 99.92% of the affected vehicles have successfully installed the repair firmware.

This recall follows a previous investigation by NHTSA, which concluded last month on about 2.6 million Tesla vehicles. The investigation centered on a feature that lets cars be moved remotely, determining that it was mostly related to minor accidents.