Tesla Recalls Nearly 219,000 Vehicles Over Rearview Camera Display Delay

Tesla Inc. has issued a recall of 218,868 vehicles that may be affected by a delayed rearview camera image, which could increase the risk of an accident.

According to a notice the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted on X on May 6, the recall includes certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles with the operating software version 2026.8.6. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the image may be delayed, possibly causing harm to an individual or another vehicle.

Of the vehicles affected, a particular software configuration may delay camera streams from being sent to the media control unit when the vehicle is powered up. That delay, of up to 11 seconds, could cause a loss of rearview images while drivers shift into reverse.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by July 3, and Tesla will be offering an over-the-air software update free of charge. Vehicle owners may also contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752, using the recall number SB-26-00-016.

The automaker first became aware of the issue in early April, when its engineering teams were notified of the possible glitch with software version 2026.8.6. Tesla immediately halted any further release of that software version to its customers, instead sending an earlier version, 2026.8.6.1, to its consumers.

After completing its investigation, Tesla issued the recall. To date, it has identified 27 warranty claims and two field reports that may be related to the rearview camera issue.

Rearview camera issues appear to have plagued the auto industry over the past few years. In March 2026, the Ford Motor Company recalled over 254,600 vehicles due to software malfunctions that included a loss of rearview camera images.

In October 2025, a Ford recall on similar rearview camera issues included more than 1.44 million vehicles. At the same time, Toyota North America recalled nearly 400,000 Tundra trucks and Sequoia sport utility vehicles due to software problems involving rearview cameras.

Nextgen Technology, an international smart products test services firm, confirmed that rearview camera recalls from major automakers are becoming increasingly more common. The firm attributes the rise in these glitches to the complexity of integrating advanced software and hardware systems to function together effortlessly.

“In the past, rearview cameras operated through simple mechanical switches, but today’s rearview camera systems are deeply intertwined with the vehicle’s electronic architecture,” its website states.

It also notes that today’s rear camera systems are no longer reserved for just parking assistance, but are becoming standard safety features. Car manufacturers now face significant technical challenges to meet requirements that live rearview camera footage must appear on the display within two seconds of the driver shifting into reverse.

“The increasing number of rearview camera recalls serves as a stark reminder of the challenges automakers face in ensuring these systems work seamlessly,” the website states.