2016 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 169owner reports
- 50,361median miles
- $1,700median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
286 of the 647 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 169 of those describe infotainment. Only suspension is reported more often on this car.
Narrower sheets: Infotainment screen freezes or goes black (68 reports) · Backup camera goes black or freezes (57 reports)
Tick what matches of 169 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 (130 reports), the camera (77 reports), the software (25 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2016 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 "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.
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 10 recalls on the 2016 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
29 of the 169 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $2,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 35,000 and 65,000 miles, from the 101 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 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 ...
On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar applique, potentially obscuring the B-pillar camera.
What owners wrote
“The screen frequently locks up, during which time the defrost controls and backup camera are inoperable. Tesla Seaside initially agreed to perform the EMMC recall, but now with my car in the shop and me stranded an hour from home, they will not agree to perform the recall unless I agree to pay $2200 for a new screen as well, as the adhesive holding the screen is failing.”
Filed Oct 4, 2023
“touch screen melting and leaking substance worried it will shut down dealer says not under warranty no warning or messages about leak”
Filed Jun 11, 2023
“Speedometer went completely blank and not able to see anything on that which includes safety features like blind spot monitoring and land departure. Also multiple time screen freezing issue causing absence of rear view camera.”
Filed May 13, 2023
“The glue that was used on the screen of the Tesla has been leaking and the service center refused to pay for the repairs. The glue is now exposed into the car and outside of the screen and is toxic. I am now breathing toxic glue and its giving me and my family headaches when we are inside of the Tesla.”
Filed Feb 22, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 169 reports involved a crash and 2 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
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 209 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 54 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 29 reports