Tesla recalls 220,000 U.S. vehicles

Tesla has recalled 218,868 vehicles in the United States after a software issue could delay the rearview camera image when drivers shift into reverse, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall covers certain 2017 and 2021-2023 Model 3 vehicles, 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles, and 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with Hardware version 3. Tesla said the problem stemmed from software version 2026.8.6 and could leave the camera image blank for up to 11 seconds after the vehicle wakes. The company said it began sending an over-the-air software fix on April 11. ### Which vehicles are included in the U.S. recall? The May 4 safety recall report filed with NHTSA lists 218,868 potentially affected vehicles. Tesla said the population includes certain model-year 2017 and 2021-2023 Model 3 vehicles, 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles, and 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles manufactured between Nov. 29, 2017, and Jan. 3, 2024. The filing says the affected vehicles were equipped with Hardware version 3 and were operating, or had operated, with the software version tied to the issue. (static.nhtsa.gov) Tesla's support page says owners can check whether a specific vehicle is covered through Tesla's VIN recall search or NHTSA's VIN recall search. The company said no service visit is required if the vehicle has already received software release 2026.8.6.1 or a later version. ### What exactly was the camera problem? Tesla said a software configuration could prevent camera streams from being sent to the vehicle's media control unit for up to 11 seconds after power-up. (static.nhtsa.gov) In practice, that meant the rearview image could appear blank for up to 11 seconds if a driver shifted into reverse during that window, according to Tesla's recall filing and support notice. (tesla.com) NHTSA's filing says the condition does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111, the U.S. rule covering rear visibility. Tesla said the loss of the rearview image "may affect the driver's rear view and increase the risk of a collision." ### When did Tesla find the issue and what did it do next? Tesla told NHTSA that its firmware engineering team was notified on April 10, 2026, after an engineering vehicle running software version 2026.8.6 experienced a delayed rearview image display after vehicle wake. (static.nhtsa.gov) The company said it halted further release of that firmware to customers the same day while it investigated the problem. April 11 is the date Tesla says it began pushing software version 2026.8.6.1 to the customer fleet over the air to correct the delay. Tesla's support page says the remedy was provided at no cost to customers. ### Has Tesla reported any crashes or injuries? Tesla said on its support page that it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths related to the condition. The company also said drivers could continue reversing by using mirrors and a shoulder check, though the recall filing says the missing image increases collision risk. (static.nhtsa.gov) ### What happened in Canada? Transport Canada posted recall 2026221 and updated it on May 14, saying the same software problem affected certain 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles, 2021-2023 Model 3 vehicles, 2021-2023 Model S vehicles and 2022-2023 Model X vehicles. (static.nhtsa.gov) The Canadian notice says rearview images must appear within two seconds of shifting into reverse under Canadian regulations. Transport Canada said Tesla will notify owners by email and has already released an over-the-air software update. The notice says there is no further action required for vehicles running software release 2026.8.6.1 or a later release. ### What should owners do now? Tesla says owners can confirm the vehicle's software version on the touchscreen under "Controls" and "Software," or in the Tesla app. (recalls-rappels.canada.ca) NHTSA says drivers can also use its recall lookup tools to check whether a VIN is included in an open recall. The next step for affected owners is straightforward: install software release 2026.8.6.1 or later if it has not already been applied, and watch for recall notices from Tesla by email in Canada or through VIN lookup tools in the United States. (recalls-rappels.canada.ca) (tesla.com)