2017 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 109owner reports
- 33,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Aug 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
202 of the 424 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 109 of those describe infotainment, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Model S.
Narrower sheets: Infotainment screen freezes or goes black (50 reports) · Backup camera goes black or freezes (34 reports)
Tick what matches of 109 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 (85 reports), the camera (49 reports) and the software (25 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2017 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 9 recalls on the 2017 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
15 of the 109 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,000 and 49,000 miles, from the 70 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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
“I have a video taken from the front camera of my Tesla S showing the entire incident that I can upload. On Dec 26, 2022 my beta FSD was engaged. The Tesla made a left hand turn onto the highway and then erratically ran off the road jumping the curb on a university sidewalk damaging wheels and tires. I suffered a right knee contusion from the impact of the hit.”
Filed Feb 17, 2023
“My car hardly functions anymore and the Tesla service center is saying I need a new Infotainment Upgrade. This issue causes the car to not function properly.”
Filed Nov 28, 2022
“Went to back into charger and back up camera still showed photo from where car was parked at home before I started my trip. I noticed a car behind me in mirror but picture showed no cars (and wrong location).”
Filed Jun 20, 2022
“The backup camera stopped working. I took the vehicle to the Tesla dealership and had to have the camera replaced. I am aware that there is a recall on Model 3 Teslaâs for a camera issue. I have also seen multiple sites online where Tesla drivers report issues with the backup camera for Model S vehicles.”
Filed Mar 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 109 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 107 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 34 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 25 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports