Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Tesla Model S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the digital screen intermittently blacked out and several safety features were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the resort block remained at 90%, and the same EMMC ID that should have been covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated she was unable to start the vehicle and the battery was replaced. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was unknown.
My 2014 Tesla Model S is an unsafe vehicle as my dash goes black constantly and I lose control of the car safety items included in the dash panel such as speed, back up camera, visibility and power train. I have complained many times but Tesla does not respond with results that will make the car safe again.
Motor suddenly failed after a required update while driving, nearly causing a crash with multiple commercial vehicles and pedestrians, leaving brake lights dangerously always on and alarm sounding, killed 12v as well.
I am the current owner of a 2014 Tesla Model S equipped with MCU1. While driving, including at freeway speeds, the center touchscreen has rebooted unexpectedly, showing only the Tesla logo before recovering. During these reboots, critical vehicle functions are unavailable, including the rearview camera, HVAC/defrost controls, and other essential features. This failure matches the exact safety defect described in NHTSA Recall 21V-035 related to the MCU/eMMC failure. I reported this safety issue to Tesla Service and provided photo evidence of the screen rebooting while driving. Tesla has refused to address this as a recall or safety repair. Tesla claims the recall was previously completed under a prior owner but refuses to provide any documentation proving that the recall repair was actually performed, citing prior owner privacy. …
My Tesla did an uncommanded acceleration, jumped the curb and hit a chick-fil-a restaurant on 9/04/2019: 1) first and most importantly, I am 100% certain that I did not touch the accelerator or in any way cause the uncommanded and unintentional acceleration of the vehicle. I have driven cars and trucks well over a million miles and never once accidentally pressed an accelerator or jumped a curb when parking. 2) I have been driving my Tesla daily for four months and I am very familiar with the vehicle and it's systems and controls. I am also very familiar with the specific parking space where the accident occurred. I have parked there many times in the past, and mostly in the Tesla during the last four months. 3) the details of what took place immediately preceding the accident are as follows: the weather was clear and sunny. …
The main screen on my 2014 Tesla s recently went out and some research online shows that many others experienced the same issues. Tesla sent a technician and said it is the mcu (media control unit) chip that went bad and a replacement will cost $1,500+ the Tesla technician said the car is drivable but the blinkers do not work, along with the back up camera and parking sensors. He stated those things are integrated with the main mcu unit and when the mcu goes out, those things will not function. I am concerned about driving my vehicle without the function of the blinkers as it could present a hazard. There has been reports similar to mine where Tesla added a finite memory chip to the mcu system that deteriorate and will fail after a length of time and because Tesla update the software in the car very frequently, the wear on the memory chip deteriorate at an accelerated rate. …
The Tesla Model s has a bad mcu unit (media control unit) every car made suffers from a programming overload that ruins the tegra 3 emmc flash memory. Once the memory corrupts, the media control unit shuts off permanently. A driver can end up stranded because the car will also stop charging or limit the charge to 21%. The safety systems attached to the media control unit are all off and no longer function. Safety backup cameras, audible alerts and perimeter alarms that would tell you if a person/object is in proximity to the car, all no longer function. The inability to know and react to these safety systems presents a life/safety issue. A child could be behind the car and the car will not alert the driver and the driver cannot see because the camera is also off. The cars media control unit also shuts off mid-drive. The unit turning off without warning, presents a life safety issue.
See NHTSA action # 20010. Media control unit failed 7/8/2020 @ 5:04 pm when returning to the car after a brief stop, in a parking lot. Car took several minutes to "reboot" to drivability, but center screen is still down. Backup camera and blinkers (inside or outside, confirmed) are not working. Additional items down include defrosters, auto tilt mirrors for reversing, seat heaters are stuck on (from when I had last used them), sunroof won't open (it ignores steering wheel controls). Brake lights are still functional, so I drove it home. Called Tesla and was told that the replacement module is out of stock and is not expected for many weeks. In the meantime, the car is undrivable.
The center screen turned off, and the climate control system, traction control, steering control, and most others systems could no longer be changed from what appears to be random settings. I believe this is referred to as either the emmc or mcu failure. Tesla's roadside assistance would not tow the car and told me to drive it to the service center. The service center says the repair is not covered by the 8 year unlimited mile warranty because the drive train is not affected however you cannot control the drive train or suspension system without the center screen. Tesla wants $1400 to replace the mcu with one they admit will eventually fail.
Headlight complaints in other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2014 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the lights of the 2014 Tesla Model S, 7% of the model year's 366 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Tesla Model S headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2014 Tesla Model S, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Tesla Model S headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.