Several Tesla customers complain about experiencing substantial orange glare on their repeater cameras (cameras on the sides of the vehicle). Apparently, the issue is caused by a design defect with the camera that allows light to leak into the back of the lens, and Tesla has provided a stopgap fix where they apply black tape over the area where the light had been leaking despite not acknowledging any issue of defective design. The issue appears to affect the Model 3 and the Model Y. 

Tesla has been replacing some vehicles under warranty, but not all, and has been claiming in some cases that the glare is simply an intended feature of the camera.

Tesla’s service plan includes a mandatory binding arbitration provision, but no class action waiver, and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving subscription (a feature available on the 2022 models) and the “Premium Connectivity Subscription Agreement” include mandatory binding arbitration provisions and class action waivers, but do not appear to apply to customers who are subscribed to neither service.

Honda faced a similar lawsuit in June 2021 alleging that their Ridgeline vehicle’s backup camera frequently failed.