2021 Tesla Model S Backup Camera Recall (21V846)
Tesla, Inc. · 11,728 vehicles · Reported October 29, 2021
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 11,728 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles. 36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system. Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 21V846 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V846000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-21-00-004 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 29, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 11,728 |
| Component | Forward Collision Avoidance > Sensing System > Camera |
| Safety risk | Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model S in recall 21V846?
36.5.2.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Model S with recall 21V846?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the camera.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V846?
Recall 21V846 covers 11,728 vehicles: 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 11,728 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model X |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model S backup camera recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
When was recall 21V846 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 21V846 to NHTSA on October 29, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2021 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V846000. |
This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your Model S was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model S is part of recall 21V846?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V846 is open on your Model S, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Model S vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Model S owners do about recall 21V846?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V846000 applies to your Model S.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Tesla dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any camera symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Model S owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,963 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 304 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 21V846 was reported on October 29, 2021, owners have filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 63 of them (22%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the driver assistance and were received on or after October 29, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,963 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 304 of them involve the driver assistance. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Tesla Model Y: 1,079 complaints in total, 160 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 125 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model S: 179 complaints in total, 15 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 4 about the driver assistance
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Since delivery in December 2020 the computer MCU has shut down for two minutes while driving over a dozen times. The computer reboots after a couple of minutes but during this time it disables all instrumentation, turn signals and other driver information.
2021 Tesla Model X owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11423571, filed July 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 8 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and jumped the curb. The contact depressed the brakes pedal to the floorboard; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a wall where the vehicle came to a stop.
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11474990, filed July 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V235000 (Electrical System, Forward Collison Avoidance) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11498674, filed December 23, 2022
Can recall 21V846 make my Model S a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
This recall is handled by an over-the-air software update, so many owners never visit a dealer. If the problem returns after the update, take the 2021 Tesla Model S to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up on a repair order. An update that does not work is still a failed repair.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Model S been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model S recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V846
Did the recall 21V846 fix work?
Since recall 21V846 was reported on October 29, 2021, owners have filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 63 of them (22%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V846000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model S is part of recall 21V846000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V846000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.