Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system; exterior lighting: turn signal; back over prevention: software (Tesla)
Vehicle recall 21V-035. NHTSA received Tesla, Inc.’s report on Jan 29, 2021.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Tesla, Inc.’s report on Jan 29, 2021. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 21, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla, Inc.
(Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device.
When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: turn signal.
- NHTSA’s part: Back over prevention: software.
What should you do?
Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 134,951 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Tesla, Inc..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 21, 2026 and checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 21, 2026.