2021 Tesla Model 3 Visibility & Wipers Problems
NHTSA lists 31 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model 3, about 5% of its 663 total complaints. No crashes, fires, or injuries were reported, and one related recall (22V702000) covers the automatic window reversal system.
- Visibility & Wipers complaints
- 31
- 5% of 663
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 1,900 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report
- Owners report the V11 software update buried defrost and wiper controls under touchscreen sub-menus, requiring multiple taps and long glances away from the road.
- Some drivers say the automatic wiper setting failed to activate in rain, leaving the windshield obscured until manually adjusted.
- Others describe windshield ghosting or vertical reflections from headlights and brake lights that reduced visual clarity, which the service center called within tolerance.
- Several owners noted the rear backup camera sometimes failed to display or showed up only after a delay following the V11 update.
- One owner reported a delay in getting the recall part for the automatic window reversal system after receiving the recall notice.
When 2021 Tesla Model 3 visibility and wiper complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 20, 2021, latest Sep 16, 2026.
Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2021 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.
Visibility & Wipers complaints by Model 3 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Visibility & Wipers complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
- NHTSA lists 31 complaints in this category for the 2021 Model 3, which is 5% of the 663 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to visibility issues on the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
- Yes. Recall 22V702000, reported September 19, 2022, covers the automatic window reversal system, which may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. Tesla issued a free over-the-air software update as the remedy.
- Did any of these visibility complaints involve crashes or injuries?
- No. NHTSA data shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries linked to the 31 Visibility & Wipers complaints for this model year.
- At what mileage did owners report these problems?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this category on the 2021 Model 3 is 1,900 miles.
- How does 2021 compare to other Model 3 years for this issue?
- The 2021 Model 3 had 31 Visibility & Wipers complaints (5% share), lower in share than 2017 (15%) and 2018 (6%), but similar to 2019 and 2020 (6% each), and higher than 2022-2025 (3% each).