Tesla Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Rearview Camera Glitch

by Chris Teague

Published: January 26th, 2024

tesla recalls 200 000 vehicles for rearview camera glitch

Tesla recently recalled almost every vehicle it has sold to update the Autopilot system with new driver monitoring features and safeguards. We’re now learning of another significant recall, this time involving almost 200,000 cars for issues with the backup camera software that could obstruct visibility.

The recall affects Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with the full self-driving computer system version 4 and a specific version of Tesla’s operating system. All affected models are from 2023. Recall documentation states that the software may cause the camera image to appear blank when the vehicle is in reverse.

The visibility reduction could increase the risk of a crash, but Tesla said owners could continue driving the vehicle using the old-school backup method, which requires the driver to turn their head and use the mirrors to see behind the car. Teslas have several cameras, some of which are integrated with vehicle safety systems and driver assistance features, so joking aside, they’re an essential part of everyday operation.

Tesla has received 81 warranty claims related to the problem but said it’s not aware of crashes, injuries, or deaths. The automaker has already released a software update to fix the camera issue, which began rolling out in late December. Tesla stores and owners will be notified by mail, but the software update is free and does not require a trip to a service center.

[Image: Sylv1Rob1 via Shutterstock]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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16 of 25 comments

EBFlex on Jan 27, 2024

Imagine just doing it right the first time. How many other things will break because of this software update?

1 Reply
- VoGhost on Jan 27, 2024
  
  Only someone who doesn't own a piece of electronics from the last 20 years would say something this stupid. It's an over-the-air software updates. They happen all the time. But since the words 'Tesla' and 'recall' were in the same sentence, big oil simps are in a tizzy.
  
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Real Talk on Jan 27, 2024

BIDEN TESLAS

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VoGhost on Jan 27, 2024

Oh no! Another software release, just like Tesla does every week. How will Tesla survive????

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- See 10 previous
- EBFlex on Jan 27, 2024
  
  Says a lot about the quality of your software engineers if you have to issue updates and fixes every week. Why can’t they just do it right the first time?
  
  1
- 28-Cars-Later on Jan 27, 2024
  
  @EB
  Because "agile".
  
  1
- 1995_SC on Jan 28, 2024
  
  You should try a AAA PC game.
  
  1
- Theflyersfan on Jan 28, 2024
  
  Rule of thumb with every bit of new software I seem to get: You are the beta tester. We call them scream tests. Change or launch something and then wait for the aftermath. But there's a massive difference in updating a firewall vs OTA updates of a 5,000 pound vehicle. One might knock out outside access to the internet and outside servers for an hour while rolling things back. The other might plow into a person or garage. And each month that goes by, it's looking like more that Tesla treats their buyers as rolling testers and one can imagine ongoing litigation when that really hits the fan.
  
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- EBFlex on Jan 28, 2024
  
  “Because "agile".”
  Ah yes. The trendy word for doing things half a$$ed.
  
  1
- VoGhost on Jan 28, 2024
  
  Until you own a Tesla, I guess you just don't get it. Having continuous OTA SW updates means the car stays fresh, like it's new. In fact, a 6 year old Tesla is still decades ahead of many new cars. I sure hope some day the doubters some day hit the lottery so they can see what Tesla ownership is really like.
  
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- Theflyersfan on Jan 29, 2024
  
  If I hit the lottery and buy an EV, sign me up for a Lucid Air.
  
  1
- EBFlex on Jan 29, 2024
  
  "Until you own a Tesla, I guess you just don't get it."
  I don't care to "get" amazingly low quality and profound inferiority compared to other vehicles. I wouldn't want that for free let alone being stupid enough to actually pay for it.
  And TheFlyersFan is right. If I won the lottery I would get the Lucid Air Sapphire. Far more advanced than any Tesla. Lucid makes Tesla look like they were carved out of rocks.
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Jan 29, 2024
  
  You have clearly never worked in technology of critical systems, VoGo. Nor do you grasp the simple fact if it can be accessed from the outside it is inherently insecure from both third party hackers and the dystopian society being built around you.
  
  1
- VoGhost on Jan 29, 2024
  
  Finally, exhaust breather realizes EVs are superior. It sure took long enough. Enjoy your fantasy of some day being wealthy enough to own an EV.
  28CL, We're talking about a backup camera. If that is what you think of as a critical system, perhaps you'd appreciate learning the purpose of that mirror attached to the upper middle of your windshield. Dude, you used to have actual insight - what happened to you?
  
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- 1995 SC on Jan 30, 2024
  
  The biggest car vulnerabilities have been exploited via USB though
  
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Akear on Jan 29, 2024

For incompetent Tesla can't beat GM and their hapless Blazer EV, which had an astounding 23 software errors when tested by Edmunds. The Blazer is still not for sale.

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