Tesla recalls 218,868 vehicles over delayed rearview camera image

Tesla recalled 218,868 vehicles in the United States after regulators said a rearview camera image could lag when drivers shifted into reverse, a defect that could cut visibility and raise the risk of a collision.

The recall covers certain Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tesla said it has already released an over-the-air software update to address the problem, and owners of vehicles that have already received the newer software do not need any additional action unless the car had already experienced the failure condition.

Tesla’s support materials say affected owners can check their vehicle identification number through Tesla’s VIN Recall Search or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s VIN Recall Search to see whether a car is included. If a vehicle was hit by the defect before the update was installed, Tesla said it will replace the car computer at no cost. Tesla also says drivers can continue reversing by using mirrors and performing a shoulder check if the rearview camera display is unavailable.

The recall highlights how heavily Tesla now leans on remote software updates to resolve safety issues, a faster approach than traditional service-center repairs but one that keeps the company under constant regulatory scrutiny. The timing gives the action added weight after regulators recently closed another probe involving about 2.6 million vehicles, a separate investigation tied to a remote-movement feature that the agency linked to low-speed incidents.

Rear visibility is one of the simplest safety systems in a modern car, and failures can matter even at parking-lot speeds. Tesla’s own recall pages say the rearview camera issue may affect rear visibility and increase the risk of a collision. The company’s VIN Recall Search lists recall data as of May 5, 2026, and Tesla says service to address recalls is provided free regardless of age or mileage.

The rear-camera problem is not isolated. Tesla’s support pages also list a December 2024 rearview-camera-related recall for certain Cybertruck vehicles built between November 13, 2023, and September 14, 2024, along with another rearview-camera recall for certain 2023 Model S, Model X and Model 3 vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Computer 4.0 and specific software versions. Together, those notices show that rear-camera compliance has remained an ongoing issue for Tesla as the company expands production and packs more software into its vehicles.