2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 Electrical Software Recall (22V050)
Tesla, Inc. · 26,681 vehicles · Reported February 2, 2022
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 26,681 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2022 Tesla Model S; 2021-2022 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems." Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 22V050 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V050000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-22-18-002 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 2, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2022 Tesla Model S; 2021-2022 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 26,681 |
| Component | Electrical System > Software |
| Safety risk | Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 in recall 22V050?
A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Model 3 with recall 22V050?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Model 3 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V050?
Recall 22V050 covers 26,681 vehicles: 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2022 Tesla Model S; 2021-2022 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 26,681 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model X |
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model 3 electrical software recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
When was recall 22V050 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 22V050 to NHTSA on February 2, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 1, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2022 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V050000. |
| April 1, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 56 months ago. If your Model 3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model 3 is part of recall 22V050?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V050 is open on your Model 3, 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 2021-2022 Model 3 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 3 owners do about recall 22V050?
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 22V050000 applies to your Model 3.
- 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 software 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 problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Model 3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 3,858 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 395 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 22V050 was reported on February 2, 2022, owners have filed 342 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 49 of them (14%) 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 electrical system and were received on or after February 2, 2022, 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 electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 3,858 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 395 of them involve the electrical system. 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, 125 about the electrical system
- 2022 Tesla Model Y: 865 complaints in total, 95 about the electrical system
- 2022 Tesla Model 3: 765 complaints in total, 50 about the electrical system
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 65 about the electrical system
- 2021 Tesla Model S: 179 complaints in total, 22 about the electrical system
- 2022 Tesla Model S: 138 complaints in total, 15 about the electrical system
- 2022 Tesla Model X: 127 complaints in total, 16 about the electrical system
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 7 about the electrical system
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was connected to the charging port and independently went into Race mode. The contact stated that the charge increased from 0 to 60 instantly.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11678451, filed August 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V045000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11722975, filed March 9, 2026
Rear parking safety camera failing with green line, brand new car.happens in motion and stationary, in street and in driveway. Happens multiple times, have caught on video. Long known issue dating back on same model at least to 2018, see https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/green-line-on-screen-when-camera-is-on-at-dark.129223/ for identical issue.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11375608, filed November 20, 2020
Can recall 22V050 make my Model 3 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)).
Intermittent electrical problems are a frequent source of repeat repair visits: the dealer cannot reproduce the fault, the owner brings the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 back, and the problem shows up again.
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 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 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.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Model 3 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to 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 3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V050
Did the recall 22V050 fix work?
Since recall 22V050 was reported on February 2, 2022, owners have filed 342 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 49 of them (14%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 1, 2022.
Is the 22V050000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model 3 is part of recall 22V050000?
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.
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 22V050000 (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.