Tesla Model S (2012–today)Electronics and infotainmentScreen and infotainment system
Central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model S in the Tesla Model S
According to the fiches-auto.fr entry, the Model S central screen has failed in 3 of 21 testimonies, in one case before 2,000 km. The entry also mentions a campaign over the Nvidia Tegra 3 chips in cars built before 2018.[1]
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: 3 of 21 fiches-auto.fr testimonies mention the screen: a very small sample, but the source describes more than one case of complete failure, so it is not an isolated case. We have not found press coverage or official data that quantifies it.[1]
Symptoms
- The touchscreen stops working completely; the testimonies cite one case of total failure before 2,000 km.[1]Screen failure: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
Affected years and cars
The entry places the Nvidia Tegra 3 chip campaign on cars built before 2018; it does not specify the exact scope in Europe.[1]
All faults of the Tesla Model S by affected year
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the MCU at an official service centre.[1]
The entry cites one case of €1,650 for an MCU replacement, without specifying whether it includes VAT or labour; we do not use it as a reference figure.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Check that the screen responds well, with no lag or restarts, and ask whether the MCU unit has already been replaced.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
This fault has a manufacturer recall: if your car is included, the repair is free at an official service centre. Check with the manufacturer before buying the part. View the recall
Multimedia control unit (MCU)
Computer that manages the central screen and a good part of the car's functions.
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Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallTesla (según fiches-auto.fr)
Defective Nvidia Tegra 3 chip in the MCU (cars built before 2018)
According to the fiches-auto.fr entry, a campaign over the risk of the Nvidia Tegra 3 chip failing in cars built before 2018. We have not seen the original announcement or its scope in Europe.[1]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace the Model S screen?
We do not have a reliable price including VAT: the fiches-auto.fr entry only cites one case of €1,650 for an MCU replacement, with no further detail.[1]
Does it affect all Model S cars?
The entry links the defective chip to cars built before 2018; there is no data to show what proportion fail.[1]
Is it safe to keep driving with a faulty screen?
We have no source that assesses this; because the screen integrates many controls, it is best to take the car to an official service centre as soon as possible.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other faults of the Tesla Model S
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringCorrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model SIn March 2018 Tesla recalled around 123,000 Model S cars built before April 2016 because the power steering motor bolts could corrode, especially in areas with road salt, and increase the effort needed to turn the steering wheel.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesModel S parking brake failure (2017 campaign)In April 2017 Tesla inspected 53,000 of the 76,000 Model S and X cars sold in 2016 for a parking brake fault (Brembo bore the cost), around 5% of the units; the repair took about 45 minutes.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model SThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 3 suspension mentions in 21 testimonies: premature wear of front parts, collapsed air suspension and faulty bushes, with one case that required replacing the whole wishbone at 40,000 km.
The faults of its engines are on the Tesla Model S page.
The same problem in other cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 408Electronic faults with the doors, boot and screen (suspected BSI control unit)In 2025 Peugeot recalled around 60,000 2023-2024 Peugeot 308 and 408 cars (code MUV) over a software fault in the door control unit that can cause unintended opening or closing and disable the anti-trap protection on the windows; 408 owners also describe a power boot lid that will not open or close and a screen that goes black.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C-CrosserOut-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may failYes: an electronic component in the Citroën C-Crosser's built-in systems interface (BSI) may not meet the specification and cause the audio-navigation, the wipers and the exterior lighting to fail, with a warning light on the dashboard. The DVSA states that the BSI's build date is checked and the unit is replaced if it falls in the affected range.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Doblò IIIInstrument cluster display fault: it may stop showing speed and warning lightsIn September 2026 a recall was published for 4,654 Doblòs built between September 2025 and 1 March 2026: because of a software fault, the instrument cluster display may stop showing speed, warning lights and messages. It is corrected with a software update of the body control module.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIInsufficient mounting of the infotainment (radio) screen: it can come loose in an accidentSafety Gate (A12/03242/24) lists a recall of Scudos built between 12 March and 7 October 2024: the radio screen may be poorly secured and, in an accident, could come loose and injure the occupants or damage the airbag as it deploys.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Ioniq 5Recall for spontaneous restart of the instrument cluster while drivingHyundai recalled, among other models, Ioniq 5s built between 30 June and 14 November 2025 because the instrument cluster could restart by itself while driving, with the screen going black for a few seconds and a delay in showing warnings. In Germany it affected 4,271 of the group's 36,316 units worldwide; it is fixed with a software update.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Vivaro CRadio screen with insufficient fixing that may come loose in a crashYes: Opel campaign KPS covers Vivaros built between 8 March and 4 October 2024 because the radio screen may be poorly fixed, or lack its securing bolts, and come loose in a crash, with a risk of injury and of damaging the airbag as it deploys.
All faults with the infotainment system (200)Cars with the most electronics and infotainment problems
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Model S 2012-2021: pannes et fiabilité (21 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French