Tesla Model S Screen Problems: What Owners Report
725 of the 3,219 owner complaints NHTSA has for 2008–2024 Model S models describe center screen or display failures. Here is which years and systems show up most, what owners say, what to check first, and when a mobile mechanic can fix it where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
On many EVs the center screen shows speed, gear and controls. If it fails, pull over when it is safe and follow the manual's reboot steps – defrost and camera views may not work until it comes back.
Which Model S years report it most
Reports peak with the 2015 model year (234). A year with more cars on the road usually has more reports, so use this to know what to ask, not to rank years.
What else these reports mention
Owners filing these complaints most often also named the electrical system and exterior lights – usually where a mechanic starts looking.
| System named | Reports | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 480 | Often in the driveway |
| Exterior lights | 89 | Usually on the spot |
| Wipers, windows and mirrors | 83 | Often in the driveway |
| Driver-assist systems | 83 | Dealer or recall |
| Throttle and cruise control | 29 | Diagnose first |
| Stability control | 24 | Diagnose first |
What Model S owners describe
“I tried to start the car and got the “center display unavailable” message.”
Related Tesla Model S recalls
10 of the 39 recalls for these years mention a related system or symptom. Check your VIN – if one is open, the fix is free at a dealer.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05 | 26V283000 | 2021–2023 | Driver-assist systems | A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2025-01 | 25V002000 | 2024 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-01 | 24V051000 | 2012–2023 | Electrical system | Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-01 | 24V035000 | 2023 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-07 | 23V489000 | 2023 | Driver-assist systems | Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2022-11 | 22E092000 | 2021 | Wipers, windows and mirrors | When using the incorrect mirrors, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2022-05 | 22V296000 | 2021–2022 | Driver-assist systems | A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2022-03 | 22V169000 | 2018–2019 | Driver-assist systems | A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What to check first
- Try the reboot procedure in the owner's manual.
- Note whether it happens in heat, cold or after a software update.
- Check for open recalls and software updates on the VIN.
- Check the 12-volt battery – low voltage can cause random resets.
Full guide: Electric cars: what a mobile mechanic can and can't do
Can a mobile mechanic fix it?
Usually a service center. Screens and the computers behind them are dealer parts and often a software issue. A mobile mechanic can test the 12-volt battery, since low voltage can cause resets.
Get a mechanic to look at your Model S
Tell us where the car is and what it is doing. We pass your request to one local mobile mechanic at a time – never to call centers or marketers. No cost to you.
Tesla Model S screen problems: questions
What causes screen problems on a Tesla Model S?
In 725 owner complaints to NHTSA that describe it, the systems named most often are the electrical system, exterior lights, wipers, windows and mirrors. Only a mechanic who tests your car can say which applies to yours.
Is there a Tesla Model S recall for this problem?
10 recalls for these model years mention a related system. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls – open recall repairs are free at a dealer.
Can a mobile mechanic fix it?
Usually a service center. Screens and the computers behind them are dealer parts and often a software issue. A mobile mechanic can test the 12-volt battery, since low voltage can cause resets.
How much does it cost to fix?
It depends on the cause, and much of this work is priced by the brand's service center. Ask for a written estimate before any work starts, and check the VIN for open recalls – those repairs are free.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Tesla Model S model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.