2015 Tesla Model S (1st gen) · Known Issue
2015 Tesla Model S MCU1 Touchscreen & eMMC Failure: What It Really Costs to Fix
Quick answer: 2015 Tesla Model S mcu1 touchscreen & emmc failure is free to fix on recall-covered VINs and up to $2,750 out of pocket otherwise.
Applies to: MCU1 cars (built to early 2018). Other versions of the 2015 Tesla Model S do not have this problem.
What the Issue Is
Model S cars built before about March 2018 run the center screen through MCU1, a media control unit whose Nvidia Tegra 3 computer keeps its operating system on a soldered 8 GB eMMC flash chip. Flash memory wears out with write cycles, and constant logging uses it up, so the failure arc is predictable: creeping touchscreen lag, spontaneous reboots, then a dead screen that takes the rearview camera image and the defrost and defog controls with it. After NHTSA's engineering analysis EA20-003, Tesla filed recall 21V-035 in January 2021 for 134,951 cars: 2012 to 2018 Model S and 2016 to 2018 Model X with the Tegra 3 processor and the 8 GB eMMC.
The recall remedy replaces the eMMC daughterboard with one carrying an upgraded eMMC part, free for covered VINs, and completion shows in the service history. It does not entitle the car to a new computer. The other path is Tesla's MCU2 infotainment upgrade, which replaces MCU1 outright: Tesla charged $2,500, cut the price to $1,500 shortly before the recall, and owners were quoted about $2,250 in 2022, plus about $500 to keep FM and satellite radio. Owners who had already paid for an upgrade could claim reimbursement up to the cost of the eMMC repair.
For a used shopper, MCU status is the first question on any of these cars, asked of the screen directly and of the paperwork through recall completion or an upgrade invoice. Cars built from about March 2018 have MCU2 and sit outside the recall. On an MCU1 car with the recall still open, the fix is a free dealer appointment, not a deduction; the MCU2 upgrade is an optional extra, worth paying for only if you want the faster screen.
Symptoms to Watch For
- 1.Touchscreen lag that worsens over months
- 2.Spontaneous screen reboots while driving
- 3.Black or unresponsive center screen (the car still drives)
- 4.Lost rearview camera image and defrost or defog controls
Real Repair Costs
The recall 21V-035 daughterboard remedy is free for covered VINs, so verify completion. Tesla's MCU2 upgrade is optional and priced by Tesla, not independent shops: $1,500 to $2,500 since 2020 (about $2,250 in 2022), plus about $500 for the radio tuner.
| Repair | Typical Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Recall 21V-035 eMMC daughterboard remedyverify completion by VIN | Free |
| MCU2 infotainment upgrade (Tesla)optional, tuner adds about $500 | $1,500-$2,750 |
Moderate issue. Ranges are US independent-shop estimates with quality parts. Use them as negotiation grounding, not a quote.
Mechanic's Tip: Spot It Before You Buy
Interrogate the screen like it is the engine, because on this car it nearly is: arrive with the car cold and watch it wake, then drive the interface hard through the viewing, pinch-zoom the map, open the rearview camera, cycle the climate and defrost, hop between media sources, timing every response and noting any reset. Hold both scroll wheels to reboot the screen and time the recovery; a dying eMMC drags, hangs or boot-loops. Then the paper: recall 21V-035 completion, the daughterboard invoice, or an MCU2 upgrade, checked by VIN. An open recall is a free appointment to book before you rely on the car.
The Bigger Ownership Picture
Beyond this specific issue, budget roughly $1,600-$2,800 per year for scheduled maintenance and repairs on a 2015 Tesla Model S. That is a typical US range from Avturo's ownership-cost table, an estimate rather than a quote, and it excludes insurance, fuel, and financing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Model S touchscreens go black?▼
On cars built before about March 2018, the MCU1 computer logs constantly to a soldered 8 GB eMMC flash chip, and flash wears out with write cycles, producing lag, reboots and eventually a dead screen. The car still drives but loses the rearview camera image and the defrost and defog controls, which is why the failure drew a safety recall rather than staying an infotainment annoyance.
What does Tesla MCU repair or replacement cost?▼
The recall remedy, a replacement eMMC daughterboard, is free for covered VINs whatever the car's warranty status. Tesla's optional MCU2 upgrade, which replaces the computer entirely, has cost $1,500 to $2,500 since 2020, about $2,250 in 2022, plus about $500 for the radio tuner. Which path a car already received is worth more than either price.
Was there a recall for the Tesla screen failure?▼
Yes. After NHTSA's engineering analysis EA20-003, Tesla filed recall 21V-035 in January 2021 for 134,951 cars: 2012 to 2018 Model S and 2016 to 2018 Model X with the Tegra 3 processor and 8 GB eMMC. A worn-out eMMC can take out the rearview camera image and the defrost and defog controls. The free remedy replaces the eMMC daughterboard; check completion by VIN.
Is the MCU2 upgrade worth it on an older Model S?▼
On a keeper you use daily, often: it replaces the slow Tegra 3 computer with a much faster one and fixes the eMMC problem as a side effect. It is not needed to cure the failure, though, because the free recall remedy does that. Tesla has charged $1,500 to $2,500 for it, plus about $500 if you want the radio tuner.
Sources
The facts on this page were last checked against these documents on October 10, 2026. Programs and their coverage end; check the car's VIN with a dealer for what still applies.
- Recall record: NHTSA recall 21V-035 (Part 573 report): MCU eMMC, Model S and Model X (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Government investigation: NHTSA engineering analysis EA20-003 closing report: MCU eMMC failures (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Owner reports: Green Car Reports: Tesla recalls 135,000 vehicles for display issues after pressure from regulators (greencarreports.com)
- Repair cost estimate: InsideEVs: Tesla starts reimbursing for MCUs due to recall (MCU2 upgrade pricing) (insideevs.com)
- Repair cost estimate: Tesla Motors Club owner thread: MCU2 upgrade price increase to $2,250 (2022) (teslamotorsclub.com)
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