How many Visibility & Wipers complaints does the 2019 Tesla Model 3 have?

NHTSA lists 34 complaints in this area for the 2019 Model 3, which is about 6% of the 614 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall related to visibility or wipers on the 2019 Tesla Model 3?

Yes. NHTSA recall 22V702000 covers the automatic window reversal system on 2017-2022 Model 3 (and other models), and recall 21V00D000 covers a rearview camera cable that can be damaged by the trunk lid on 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles.

At what mileage do these visibility and wiper problems tend to show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 13,428 miles.

Did the visibility and wiper issues cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data ties one crash to this problem area for the 2019 Model 3, with no fires and no injuries reported.

Are wiper and defrost complaints unique to the 2019 model year?

No. NHTSA shows similar complaint shares across other years, including 6% for 2018 and 2020, 5% for 2021, and lower percentages for newer model years.

2019 Tesla Model 3 Visibility & Wipers Problems

NHTSA lists 34 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2019 Tesla Model 3, about 6% of its 614 total complaints that year. One crash and no fires or injuries are tied to this area, with a median failure mileage of 13,428 miles.

Visibility & Wipers complaints: 34; 6% of 614
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 13,428 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report

Auto wipers sometimes fail to activate during heavy rain, forcing drivers to manually select wiper settings through the touchscreen while driving.
Owners report the rear windshield distorts when the rear defroster is turned on, a pattern Tesla told some owners was normal operation.
Some drivers describe the rear glass cracking, which they attribute to heat buildup on the large glass roof and rear window.
Side mirrors are described as too small, limiting the field of view and causing missed vehicles in adjacent lanes.
Software updates, including version 11, moved defrost, defogger, and wiper controls into touchscreen submenus, requiring drivers to look away from the road to find and activate them.
Multiple owners say fogged or icy windshields became harder to clear quickly because the defrost/defog controls were relocated deeper in on-screen menus.

When 2019 Tesla Model 3 visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 3, 2019, latest Mar 29, 2025.

34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2019 to Mar 2025; peak Feb 2022 (5).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2019 Tesla Model 3

NHTSA 22V702000Sep 19, 2022Visibility & Wipers1,096,762 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
NHTSA 21V00D000Dec 21, 2021Visibility & Wipers356,309 vehicles
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:interior
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-17-008.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by Model 3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20174 (15%)
201860 (6%)
201934 (6%)
202028 (6%)
202131 (5%)
202221 (3%)
202313 (3%)
20246 (3%)
20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Visibility & Wipers complaints does the 2019 Tesla Model 3 have?: NHTSA lists 34 complaints in this area for the 2019 Model 3, which is about 6% of the 614 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall related to visibility or wipers on the 2019 Tesla Model 3?: Yes. NHTSA recall 22V702000 covers the automatic window reversal system on 2017-2022 Model 3 (and other models), and recall 21V00D000 covers a rearview camera cable that can be damaged by the trunk lid on 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles.
At what mileage do these visibility and wiper problems tend to show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 13,428 miles.
Did the visibility and wiper issues cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data ties one crash to this problem area for the 2019 Model 3, with no fires and no injuries reported.
Are wiper and defrost complaints unique to the 2019 model year?: No. NHTSA shows similar complaint shares across other years, including 6% for 2018 and 2020, 5% for 2021, and lower percentages for newer model years.