2024-2025 Tesla Model 3 Backup Camera Software Recall (25V002)
Tesla, Inc. · 239,382 vehicles · Reported January 6, 2025
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 239,382 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3; 2024-2025 Tesla Model S; 2023-2025 Tesla Model X; 2023-2025 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 25V002 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V002000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-25-00-001 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | January 6, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3; 2024-2025 Tesla Model S; 2023-2025 Tesla Model X; 2023-2025 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 239,382 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Software |
| Safety risk | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3 in recall 25V002?
The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Is it safe to drive a 2024-2025 Model 3 with recall 25V002?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, 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 software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V002?
Recall 25V002 covers 239,382 vehicles: 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3; 2024-2025 Tesla Model S; 2023-2025 Tesla Model X; 2023-2025 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 239,382 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2024-2025 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2023-2025 | Tesla | Model X |
| 2023-2025 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model 3 backup camera software recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
When was recall 25V002 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 25V002 to NHTSA on January 6, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 7, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 6, 2025 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V002000. |
| March 7, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 21 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 25V002?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V002 is open on your Model 3, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 25V002000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Model 3 owners do about recall 25V002?
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 25V002000 applies to your Model 3.
- Call a Tesla dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- 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 2,206 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the rearview camera.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the rearview camera have been filed since recall 25V002 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2,206 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the rearview camera. 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.
- 2023 Tesla Model Y: 1,166 complaints in total, 1 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Tesla Model Y: 325 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Tesla Model 3: 218 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2023 Tesla Model X: 194 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2025 Tesla Model 3: 117 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2025 Tesla Model Y: 101 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Tesla Model S: 38 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
- 2024 Tesla Model X: 26 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, the back-over protection camera was inoperable. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact crashed into a parked vehicle which was parked behind the contact's vehicle. There was no damage to the other vehicle.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11568029, filed January 26, 2024
Can recall 25V002 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.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their Model 3 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A rearview camera that blanks out or freezes is a safety issue because federal rules require a working backup image. Camera problems are often software related, and many owners see them come back after an update.
Because the remedy is an over-the-air update, there may be no repair order unless you take the 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3 in. If the symptom continues after the update, get it documented at the dealer so it counts.
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 3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V002
Is the 25V002000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 7, 2025.
How do I know if my Model 3 is part of recall 25V002000?
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.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
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 25V002000 (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.