There are 5 owner-reported visibility & wipers complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model Xin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Beginning in a recent software update, the windshield wipers in (at least early model) Tesla Model S and X cars with FSD beta no longer function in intermittent mode. Only the faster wiper speeds are functional. This regression results in unacceptable levels of driver distraction manually triggering the wipers with the button, and should have been fixed weeks ago. We're requesting a formal recall. It really isn't acceptable for their testing processes to be so flawed that something this serious could make it into released builds, beta or not. As a software engineer by trade, I find Tesla's testing to be nothing short of incompetent, even by iOS app standards, much less car standards, and they should really be fined every time they screw up this badly.
Headlights will not work. Due to the vehicle not having a method of turning on headlights without access to a properly working media control unit which happens to be of all touch screen functionality a blackout of the screen will cause the driver to have no other access to the headlights or other vital safety features. This issue has been ongoing with Tesla for a long period of time and it continuously put the occupants of the vehicle at risk for injury both severe or fatal. Repeatedly addressed this malfunction of the vehicle with the repair facility and it has failed to be corrected or repaired.
During hard rainfall the software of the vehicle issues an error: the windshield wipers, headlights, taillights and turn signal all stop working. Lane assist and parking assist fail as well. Sometimes the vehicle shifts into park when you stop. After stopping the vehicle, the doors won't open so you cannot exit the car. It does not matter if the car is moving or stationary when the software fails. You have to reboot the car and hope it resolves, usually it doesn't, or most often just wait to time the software glitch for the moment when the functions are temporarily enabled, specifically when trying to exit the car. We have taken this vehicle to Tesla for this issue multiple times and they have not solved it. This vehicle is a safety hazard, and a legal issue since the headlights and taillights go out, leaving you to drive without them in the dark.
The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the center display would inadvertently turn blank or reset on its own. The contact stated that the rear-view camera would inadvertently turn blank and the center display would take more than five minutes to reset while driving. The contact also stated that the audio sound of the vehicle would fail to work, including the turn signal beeping sound. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla service center who reset the software; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second Tesla service center, Tesla (320 W Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195) several times and the software was reloaded; however, the failure persisted. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated it appears the chips are available, and Tesla has chosen to sell an upgrade rather than comply with the recall.
The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated the MCU home screen intermittently failed to operate while driving at various speeds. The contact then received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026