SB-21-21-001 – Center Display Can Lose Rearview Camera Image – 2012-2018 Tesla Model S & 2016-2018 Model X

January 29, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000

Center Display Can Lose Rearview Camera Image

The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035

Manufacturer Tesla, Inc.

Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY, BACK OVER PREVENTION

Potential Number of Units Affected 134,951

 

Summary

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

 

Remedy

Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Tesla has a Recall

 

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	Tesla, Inc. Service Bulletin			Replace VCM To Upgrade 8GB eMMC
SB-21-21-001 March 30, 2021			R1
Classification				Section/Group	Mobile Service
Recall Bulletin				21 – Infotainment	Cannot Perform
Model Year		Model		Country/Region	Version
2012 – 2018		Model S, Model X		All	All
The model(s) and model year(s) listed are a general approximation of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.

 

Recall Bulletin: Recall Bulletins are mandatory service procedures that must be carried out by Tesla-certified Service Centers. Recall work performed by uncertified technicians could lead to unsafe conditions or voided warranty provisions.

This Service Document supersedes SB-21-21-001, dated February 1, 2021. Each content change is marked by a vertical line in the left margin. Discard the previous version and replace it with this one. 

 

Condition

For some Model S and Model X vehicles built before March 2018, an 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (“8GB eMMC”)

in the Media Control Unit (MCU) might malfunction due to accumulated wear. This may result in a blank or intermittently blank MCU display and/or prompt an alert on the MCU display that a memory storage device has degraded and to contact Service. If the eMMC malfunctions on a vehicle running software older than 2020.48.12 it may lose access to the rearview backup camera display, exterior turn signal lighting on subsequent drives after eMMC malfunction, and access to windshield defogging and defrosting controls.

 

Correction

The purpose of this recall is to install software release 2020.48.12 or newer to address all potential safety concerns.

Additionally, this recall is to proactively upgrade, free of charge to the customer, the available memory storage from 8GB to 64GB. Replace the Tegra Visual Compute Module (VCM) Daughterboard containing the 8GB eMMC with an upgraded component and ensure that the vehicle is operating FW 2020.48.12 or a newer release.

 

 NOTE: During the initial rollout of this recall bulletin, parts will be constrained. Owners were informed the only action they need to take to address all potential safety concerns is to confirm their vehicle is running software release 2020.48.12 or a newer release, and they will receive further notification when proactive replacement parts are available. Apply the bulletin if any of the following conditions are met:

• The owner has scheduled an appointment as a result of receiving a notice letter indicating that parts are available for their VIN.
• The vehicle has experienced a malfunction of the eMMC filesystem. A reference section at the end of this document describes how to determine if the eMMC filesystem malfunction is due to accumulated wear.
• Automated diagnostic results indicate to apply the bulletin, even in the absence of a malfunction.

 

Correction Description	Correction	Time
SB-21-21-001 Not Applicable; Vehicle Without Applicable Infotainment System	S012121001	0.05
SB-21-21-001 Not Applicable; Upgraded eMMC Already Installed	S022121001	0.05
Replace VCM To Upgrade eMMC (Model S)	S032121001	1.15
Replace VCM To Upgrade eMMC (Model X)	S042121001	1.45

 

Parts, Special Tools, and Shop Supplies

Parts, special tools, and shop supplies required are listed in SI–20–21–010.

 

Procedure

 

1. Log in to Garage, provide the VIN, click VITALS > Basic, and under “Vehicle”, note the value to the right of “Car Computer”:

 

• If the value is “mcu_transition”, the vehicle does not contain infotainment system hardware relevant to this bulletin. Discontinue this procedure and use correction code S012121001.

 

• If the value is “mcu”, continue to the next step.

 

2. Click VITALS > UI, scroll down to “eMMC Vitals”, and note the value to the right of “Name”:

 

If the name is “S0J58x”, an upgraded 64GB eMMC has already been installed to replace the 8GB eMMC, so do not perform the upgrade. Discontinue this procedure and use correction code S022121001.

 

• If the name is not “S0J58x”, continue to the next step.

 

3. Replace the Visual Compute Module (VCM) daughterboard. Refer to service internal document SI–20–21–010.

 

• Model S – Use correction code S032121001

 

• Model X – Use correction code S042121001

 

 NOTE: Do not use any correction code from SI–20–21–010.

 

4. Make sure to return the removed VCM daughterboard to MRB through the standard process.

 

 NOTE: As a condition of applying this recall, it is not possible for the customer to retain the removed hardware.

 

Repair Reimbursement

If the vehicle owner had previously paid for a repair for the specific part and condition covered under this recall, the owner might be entitled to reimbursement of the amount paid subject to certain terms and conditions. The reimbursement process is not yet available at this time. Affected owners will be notified shortly with details about the requirements for eligibility and the process to submit a claim.

 

Reference Material on How to Determine If the eMMC Filesystem Malfunction Is Due to Accumulated Wear

 

This section is provided for reference on how to determine if a malfunction occurred as a result of accumulated wear.

 

 TIP: Refer to Toolbox article #53486 for diagnostic assistance.

 

1. Log in to Garage, provide the VIN, click VITALS > UI, scroll down to eMMC Vitals, and record the values to the right of “Name” and “Reserved Blocks”.

 

• If the name is not “H8G2d” or “Hynix”, the vehicle no longer contains the 8GB eMMC hardware applicable to this bulletin.

 

• If the name is something other than “H8G2d”, “Hynix” or “S0J58x”, the vehicle contains a non-OEM supplied eMMC aftermarket modification. The system may behave in unexpected ways, including, but not limited to, being unable to provide diagnostic information regarding eMMC filesystem malfunction.

 

2. If the eMMC name is “H8G2d”, determine if the eMMC filesystem malfunctioned due to wear.

 

• If alerts “MCU_w088_eMMCNeedsReplacement” or “MCU_w086_eMMCEOL” are actively asserted, recently asserted, or present in vehicle logs, the eMMC filesystem has malfunctioned due to wear.

 

• If alert “MCU_w031_cidSquashfsError” is actively asserted, recently asserted, or present in vehicle logs, AND there are fewer than 65 reserve blocks remaining, the eMMC filesystem has malfunctioned due to wear.

 

• If neither of the above is true, the eMMC filesystem has not malfunctioned due to wear.

 

3. If the eMMC name is “Hynix”, it is not possible to determine if the eMMC filesystem malfunctioned specifically to due to wear. Determine if the eMMC filesystem has simply malfunctioned.

 

• If alert “MCU_w031_cidSquashfsError” is actively asserted, recently asserted, or present in vehicle logs, the eMMC filesystem has malfunctioned.

 

• If alert “MCU_w031_cidSquashfsError” is not present, the eMMC filesystem has not malfunctioned.

 

For feedback on the accuracy of this document, email ServiceBulletinFeedback@tesla.com

 

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Subject line:  8GB eMMC Recall Reimbursement  

 

Body:

 

Our records indicate that you own, or previously owned, a Model S or a Model X built before March 2018. Your vehicle is subject to conditions covered under the 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) recall that addresses the malfunction of the eMMC memory chip due to accumulated wear.

 

If you previously paid out-of-pocket for the specific part and condition covered by the recall, and the repair was within the 8GB eMMC Recall period, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

 

To request reimbursement, please complete the eMMC reimbursement request form or or visit www.tesla.com/contactus. Log into your Tesla Account and select ‘eMMC reimbursement’ under the ‘Tesla Service & Repair’ menu. Once you have submitted the required information, we will review your claim and notify you of your reimbursement eligibility within 60 days of receipt. If we require additional information, we will contact you directly.

 

Please note, your local Tesla Service Centers and Customer Support teams do not have the ability to track or process reimbursement requests.

 

Thank you for being a Tesla customer, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

 

[LEARN MORE]

 

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10 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
TESLA	MODEL S	2012-2018
TESLA	MODEL X	2016-2018

 

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9 Associated Documents

Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V035-3301.PDF 217.584KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V035-5245.pdf 645.543KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V035-4682.PDF 217.515KB

 

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8GB eMMC Recall Reimbursement Email

RMISC-21V035-2904.pdf 441.997KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V035-9972.pdf 544.362KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-1

RCLQRT-21V035-9562.PDF 211.15KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V035-2501.PDF 211.245KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V035-1895.PDF 211.337KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V035-6402.PDF 211.449KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V035&docType=RCL

 

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1 Associated Investigation

Loss of rearview camera
NHTSA ID: EA20003
Dated opened: November 12, 2020

On June 22, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE20-010 to investigate incidents of media control unit (MCU) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (MY) 2012-2015 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. EMMC NAND flash devices have a finite lifespan based upon the number of program/erase (P/E) cycles. The subject MCU allegedly fails prematurely due to memory wear-out of the eMMC NAND flash. Tesla used the same MCU with the Tegra 3 processor in approximately 159 thousand 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles built by Tesla through early-2018. In response to ODI’s Information Request (IR) for PE20-010, Tesla provided ODI with 2,399 complaints and field reports, 7,777 warranty claims, and 4,746 non-warranty claims related to MCU replacements. The data show failure rates over 30 percent in certain build months and accelerating failure trends after 3 to 4 years-in-service.

According to Tesla, for subject vehicles equipped with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device, the eMMC NAND cell hardware can fail when reaching lifetime wear, for which the eMMC controller has no available blocks to recover. With this failure mode, the only recovery available is a replacement of the eMMC device, achieved by physical part replacement of either the MCU assembly or visual control module subcomponent. Tesla provided the effects of MCU failure on vehicle function which result in loss of rearview/backup camera, loss of HVAC (defogging) setting controls (if the HVAC status was OFF status prior to failure.) There is also an impact on the advanced driver assistance support (ADAS), Autopilot system, and turn signal functionality due to the possible loss of audible chimes, driver sensing, and alerts associated with these vehicle functions. There are precedents for addressing defects that result in loss of either backup camera, defogging, or turn signal functions under safety recalls.

Tesla has implemented certain Over-The-Air or OTA updates to subject vehicles to mitigate the effects of MCU failure. These updates include firmware changes to reduce memory usage of the subject memory card, improve eMMC error correction and storage management strategies, changing the control logic for turn signal activation, and defaulting the HVAC system to Auto (71.6F) for drives after MCU failure to address windshield defogging. Tesla indicated that the MCU failures are likely to continue to occur in subject vehicles as vehicles continue to operate and use available memory in the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory until 100% of units have failed.

An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect.

The VOQs associated with the opening of this investigation are in the attachment to this resume.

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Last update on 2025-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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