2020 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 50owner reports
- 11,121median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Jul 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
135 of the 451 complaints on this car are about other. 50 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 50 reports
Infotainment on other Model 3 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (24 reports), the camera (22 reports) and the software (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
10 recalls on other cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
All 21 recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model 3, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into other on the Model 3
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Open.
Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged. Open.
Compliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements. Open.
Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.. Closed apr 3, 2026.
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Closed mar 18, 2026.
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness. Open.
Defect petition interlock request. Closed mar 18, 2026.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Autopilot system driver controls. Closed apr 25, 2024, led to recall 23V-085.
Tesla passenger play. Closed may 26, 2023.
Autopilot & first responder scenes. Closed jun 8, 2022.
Sudden unintended acceleration. Closed jan 8, 2021.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Tesla Model 3 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is ...
On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the LH and RH side repeater cameras may lose electrical continuity over time, resulting in premature failure of the cameras.
On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the LH side repeater camera may lose electrical continuity over time, resulting in premature failure of the camera.
On certain Model S, Model X, and Fremont-built Model 3 vehicles, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the RH side repeater camera may lose electrical continuity over time, resulting in premature failure of the camera.
What owners wrote
“Car was sitting at a red light while in Full Self Driving (supervised). The screen showed at least four red lights. Suddenly the car started to move forward while the lights were still red. I was able to stop it from going further. This has happened before and I reported it then. If I had not had my foot near the brake pedal the car might have just run through the light.”
Filed Jul 21, 2026
“Car radio goes so loud it damaged my ear nerves. This results in pain especially when exposed to loud sounds”
Filed Feb 4, 2025
“Rear camera works intermittently. It says it's temporarily unavailable and then it restores when car is started next time after exiting. Seems to be a sensor or camera cable issues because camera works fine when it does.”
Filed Nov 25, 2024
“Concern: message appeared on the tesla screen "DIR_a126 Power reduced" Repair solution: Internal seal in battery coolant bottle was faulty and not letting coolant flow properly to rear drive unit. Tesla warranty: states that battery coolant does not need to be replaced for the life of the vehicle.”
Filed Aug 29, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 50 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 95 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 91 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 48 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 46 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 27 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 25 reports