2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 Visibility Power Window Recall (22V702)
Tesla, Inc. · 1,096,762 vehicles · Reported September 19, 2022
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 1,096,762 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2022 Tesla Model S; 2021-2022 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems." A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 22V702 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V702000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-22-00-013 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | September 19, 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 | 1,096,762 |
| Component | Visibility > Power Window Devices And Controls |
| Safety risk | A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 in recall 22V702?
The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Model 3 with recall 22V702?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
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 power window devices and controls.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V702?
Recall 22V702 covers 1,096,762 vehicles: 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021-2022 Tesla Model S; 2021-2022 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 1,096,762 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 visibility power window recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
When was recall 22V702 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 22V702 to NHTSA on September 19, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 31, 2032.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 19, 2022 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V702000. |
| March 31, 2032 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 49 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 22V702?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V702 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 22V702?
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 22V702000 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 power window devices and controls 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, 69 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Since recall 22V702 was reported on September 19, 2022, owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the lighting and visibility on these vehicles. 5 of them (11%) 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 lighting and visibility and were received on or after September 19, 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 lighting and visibility 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 69 of them involve the lighting and visibility. 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, 14 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model Y: 865 complaints in total, 20 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model 3: 765 complaints in total, 10 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 9 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Tesla Model S: 179 complaints in total, 6 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model S: 138 complaints in total, 6 about the lighting and visibility
- 2022 Tesla Model X: 127 complaints in total, 3 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The reverse lights are incredibly insufficient and pose a safety risk when backing up. The lights are so dim, they are virtually ineffective to the point that they illuminate nothing that may be behind the car.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11691415, filed October 5, 2025
My car has a « yoke » steering wheel that feels unsafe and should be illegal along with the touch turn signals and horn. I almost crashed today when I had to swerve to avoid a mother crossing the road with her child.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11427096, filed July 30, 2021
Passenger side headlight, daytime running light portion, is flickering, approximately 1-2 times a minute. I only noticed this as I parked in a dark garage with my lights on, seeing the light flickering against the wall. There is no warning from my car telling me this is happening.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11580942, filed April 3, 2024
Can recall 22V702 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)).
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
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 22V702
Did the recall 22V702 fix work?
Since recall 22V702 was reported on September 19, 2022, owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the lighting and visibility on these vehicles. 5 of them (11%) 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 March 31, 2032.
Is the 22V702000 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 22V702000?
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 22V702000 (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.