Recall Date: 5/4/2026
NHTSA ID: 26V283
MFr. Campaign Number: SB-26-00-016
Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Affected Components: Vehicle Software (Rearview Camera Display).
Potential Number of Units Affected: ~218,868
The recall covers four Tesla nameplates equipped with Hardware version 3 (HW3) and operating a specific software configuration. The affected population includes 2017 and 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and 2021-2023 Model X vehicles manufactured between November 29, 2017, and January 3, 2024.
Model Y accounts for the largest segment at 112,710 units across model years 2020 through 2023. Model 3 contributes 68,311 units, Model S 20,231 units, and Model X 17,616 units. Tesla stopped producing HW3 vehicles on January 3, 2024 — current production is not affected.
Tesla estimates 100% of the population was operating on the affected firmware version (develop/2026.8.6) before the remedy was issued.
On affected vehicles, a specific software configuration could prevent camera streams from being sent to the main control unit for up to 11 seconds on vehicle power-up. If a driver shifted into reverse during that window, the rearview camera image would not display. The condition does not comply with FMVSS 111, which governs rear visibility.
The safety risk is a loss of rearview image while reversing, which can affect the driver's rear view and increase the risk of a collision. A driver could still reverse using mirrors and a shoulder check, but the rearview camera would not be available for the first 11 seconds after wake.
The remedy is already deployed. Beginning on or shortly after April 11, 2026, affected vehicles received an over-the-air software update (firmware version 2026.8.6.1 or later) that corrects the delay and restores FMVSS 111 compliance. As of the recall filing date, more than 99.92% of the affected vehicle population had successfully loaded the remedy firmware. Owners with software release 2026.8.6.1 or later do not need to take any further action. Tesla store and service center notification was scheduled for May 7, 2026, with owner notification letters mailed on July 3, 2026.
The condition surfaced on April 10, 2026, when Tesla Firmware Engineering was notified that an internal engineering vehicle running software version 2026.8.6 had experienced a delayed rearview image display after wake. That same day, Tesla halted further release of the firmware to its customer fleet and began investigating.
On April 11, 2026 — while Tesla was still assessing the impact on customer vehicles — firmware version 2026.8.6.1 was pushed via OTA to correct the rearview image delay. Between April 13 and April 24, Tesla collected and analyzed data to assess the effect of 2026.8.6 on the customer fleet and to scope which vehicles could be impacted.
On April 27, 2026, after completing the engineering investigation, Tesla determined that a noncompliance existed and made a voluntary recall determination. As of May 1, 2026, Tesla had identified 27 warranty claims and 2 field reports that may be related to the condition. No collisions, fatalities, or injuries have been attributed to it.
For a full view of Tesla recall activity and cross-OEM trends from earlier this year, see BizzyCar's Q1 2026 Recall Report.
Read the BizzyCar Q1 2026 Recall Report →
Tesla's distribution model means most affected vehicles will be served through Tesla service centers rather than franchised dealers, and the OTA remedy has already reached more than 99.92% of the population. That said, the remaining 0.08% — roughly 175 vehicles — represents the segment of Tesla owners least connected to their vehicle's software status, and the same dynamic exists across every OEM with vehicles in service drives across the country.
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