Tesla Full Self-Driving bug falsely flags dirty cameras, demands service

This is a car news item, not a home energy story, but here's what's going on: Tesla's Full Self-Driving software update, version 14.3.9, has a bug that falsely tells drivers their windshield cameras are dirty. The car displays a message saying "Poor camera visibility detected. Interior windshield residue cleaning is required," even when the cameras are perfectly clean. The alert tends to show up in bright sun or glare, which the software mistakes for an obstructed camera.

Tesla has confirmed the bug is a software problem, not an actual camera issue, and is canceling service appointments that owners booked to deal with it. If you have a Tesla and got this alert, you don't need to book a cleaning or inspection. Owners who already paid for one can contact Tesla Support for a refund.

The bug appeared in software builds 2026.27.5 and 2026.27.6, which rolled out around September 12. That same update added a feature letting the car take over briefly to avoid a crash. A newer build, 14.3.10, is expected to fix the false alerts, though Tesla hasn't detailed what changes it includes.

This has no connection to home energy upgrades or rebates — it's purely a car software glitch affecting Tesla owners using the Full Self-Driving system.