I've been looking at used electric vehicles, and I'm surprised by how many early models are hitting the market with perfectly functional drivetrains but completely dead and irreplaceable infotainment systems. The car runs, but the screen is a brick, locking out climate controls and settings. Is this going to be the new "rust" for EVs, where the electronics become the primary point of failure and obsolescence long before the battery or motor?
Yep real risk. EV infotainment screens can fail from memory wear (eMMC) or overheating, taking climate controls with them. In 2020 NHTSA opened a probe into 63k Model S touchscreens. citeturn0search0turn0search1
Tesla recalled about 130k vehicles for infotainment screen failures during charging; OTA updates helped, but the hardware flaw lingers. citeturn0search4
Tesla extended the touchscreen warranty over eMMC memory failures; shows how big a risk these screens are even for a car that's otherwise fine. citeturn0search3
China also extended touchscreen recalls on older Tesla cars; it’s not unique to the US. citeturn0search6
Bottom line for buyers: check recall history and MCU upgrades; when you’re buying a Zero-emission vehicle, consider the infotainment reliability as part of total cost of ownership. citeturn0search4