Here are 5 labels for Model X Door Sensor issues, including their specific causes and the most current 2026 solutions:
USS "Ghosting" from Heat,
Cause: Ultrasonic sensors (USS) are glued to the inside of the door skin. In dark-colored cars, extreme sun/heat can melt the adhesive, causing the sensor to tilt and detect the door’s own internal metal as an obstacle.
Solution: Service centers now use high-strength butyl patches (often called "flea tape") to secure the sensors. If the door won't open, use the manual override (press and hold the door button on the screen) to ignore the sensor.
Center Spine Sensor Blindness,
Cause: The sensor located in the central roof spine can become "blinded" by road grime, heavy rain, or condensation inside the glass housing, causing the doors to only open halfway or beep incessantly.
Solution: Clean the glass spine area with an alcohol-based cleaner. If the issue is internal condensation, Tesla must replace the sensor and improve the housing's seal as part of a 2024–2025 service update.
Pinch Sensor False Positives,
Cause: The "pinch" sensors (the thin black rubber strips along the edges of the Falcon Wing Doors) can lose calibration or become compressed by misaligned trim, tricking the door into thinking a hand is caught.
Solution: Visually inspect for trim that is pressing against the rubber strip. If no obstruction exists, a "Service Mode" calibration ($Controls > Service > Calibrate Doors$) is required to reset the pressure threshold.
Vision-Only Depth Errors (Refresh Models),
Cause: 2023–2026 models without USS rely purely on cameras. In low-light garages or near glass/mirrors, the software struggles with depth, leading to doors stopping too early or occasionally bumping walls.
Solution: Ensure the B-pillar and roof cameras are clear. Tesla's latest AI4 (Hardware 4) updates have improved "High-Fidelity Park Assist" to better map these close-range environments.
Secondary Door Control Unit (SDCU) Lag,
Cause: Communication lag between the main computer and the SDCU can cause the door sensors to "time out" during the opening sequence, resulting in a door that unlatches but fails to move.
Solution: Perform a "Soft Reboot" (hold both steering wheel scroll wheels). If the problem persists, Tesla may need to replace the SDCU or the dedicated 16V accessory battery if it is no longer providing consistent voltage.
Labels List Only
USS "Ghosting" from Heat,
Center Spine Sensor Blindness,
Pinch Sensor False Positives,
Vision-Only Depth Errors (Refresh Models),
Secondary Door Control Unit (SDCU) Lag,
Would you like me to find the part number for the reinforced butyl patches used to fix the heat-related sensor drop?
