2015 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 256owner reports
- 61,000median miles
- $1,872median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
404 of the 668 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 256 of those describe infotainment, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 Model S.
Narrower sheets: Infotainment screen freezes or goes black (80 reports) · Backup camera goes black or freezes (76 reports)
Tick what matches of 256 reports
Infotainment on other Model S 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: 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023.
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 (190 reports), the camera (119 reports) and the software (26 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2015 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.
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.
All 9 recalls on the 2015 Tesla Model S, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Model S
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.
Loss of rearview camera. Closed may 2, 2024, led to recall 21V-035.
Loss of rearview camera. Closed nov 22, 2020.
Sudden unintended acceleration. Closed jan 8, 2021.
Battery management software updates. Closed sep 28, 2021.
Fire - propulsion battery - road debris. Closed mar 26, 2014.
What owners paid
56 of the 256 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,429 to $2,250.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 47,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 200 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2015 Tesla Model S 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 ...
What owners wrote
“The screen behind the steering wheel on the TESLA forms bubbles on the screen which is a common problem with these vehicles. The screen behind has controls of the vehicle and there is a fluid that leaks behind and is causing this issue. Tesla doesnât want to accept it and repair it but so many customers with models prior to 2016 have the same problem.”
Filed Aug 26, 2022
“Driver side display is distorted due to glue leak at cconsole. This is a known issue for Tesla and they are directing customers to replace their entertainment console fully at $1,500. This issue causes distortion in sunlight conditions and the following cannot be viewed clearly: Miles avail, driver gauge (park, Reverse, Neutral, drive), mph, car status, car position and warnings.”
Filed Jul 27, 2022
“A recall for my main media control unit was announced in March 2021. I have STILL not received the replacement unit from Tesla. My main screen goes black while driving. I lose ability to control HVAC, navigation, music, suspension, security etc. I also am unable sometimes to drive the vehicle from standing as the car will "reboot" unexpectedly.”
Filed Nov 25, 2021
“I have developed bubbles in my central LED display. The car was being serviced. They were repairing a recalled eMMC chip. When I receive the car back, the central touchscreen had bubbles. They tell me that I need to replace it for a cost of $797. I am told that this is a safety issue oh, a fact that I can readily believe”
Filed Oct 28, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 256 reports involved a crash. 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
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 149 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 55 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 52 reports