For a brand built around forward-thinking technology, some are surprised how long Tesla has taken to fix something as fundamental as side camera visibility. For years, owners have been left wondering why they couldn’t even see parts of their own car on screen, until now. While the rear camera view has mostly done its job, the side repeater views have long been a source of complaints of offering limited visibility, awkward cropping, and in some cases, leaving entire portions of the vehicle out of frame.
That’s why this morning, while browsing through the “Tesla Owners Australia” group on Facebook, I was drawn to a post by Jason Munro. Jason shared his thoughts on Tesla’s upcoming 2025.20.3 software update, saying he’s personally fine with the new rear camera view but is especially glad the side camera feed is finally getting fixed. Like many others, he hopes this change will bring back the ability to see the door in the repeater view. Jason put it simply:
“Something coming in the next update that will make people happy. Personally I’m ok with the new rear view. But I’m happy they fixed the side view. Hopefully we will be able to see the door again.”
Jason’s comment relates to a lot of Tesla drivers who’ve grown used to relying on the camera system, only to find it lacking in one of the most practical aspects of driving. Seeing your own vehicle, parking, checking blind spots, and reviewing sentry footage have all been compromised by the cropped and overly narrow field of the side cameras. In fact, when replying to another comment, Jason added that crucial point:
“How about seeing your own in sentry mode since you can’t right now. Used to be able to see clearly if anything had touched your door, but now you can’t since they changed the angle. This update should rectify that.”
Why This Update Matters More Than You Might Think
While it may seem like a small UI tweak, this update has bigger implications than just aesthetics. In Tesla’s software-first ecosystem, a simple camera view adjustment can redefine how confident a driver feels when maneuvering their car. It’s one thing to have cameras; it’s another to feel like they’re truly helping.
The 2025.20.3 release reportedly includes an updated rear camera feed with a toggle between the original narrow view and a new wider-angle option. But more importantly, Tesla has now enlarged the side camera feeds, allowing drivers to see more of the space around them and more of their own vehicle, which was inexplicably cropped out in previous updates.
Jay Shurman echoed what many owners have been thinking since the change:
“Wider side view yes! Found it weird when they took the side of the car just out of view.”
That weird feeling isn’t just an aesthetic inconvenience, but it results in an impact to everyday function. That’s where the real frustration lies. Tesla’s tech is capable of phenomenal things, from Full Self-Driving to advanced route planning, yet owners have had to tolerate what felt like a step backward when it came to their basic visual awareness.
We’ve already seen owners grow frustrated over issues like camera calibration failures and pricing shocks, as noted in this story about a $3,300 Model Y camera repair quote. For some, it’s less about the feature itself and more about what it signals: that Tesla sometimes misses the mark when balancing innovation with day-to-day usability. But this isn't to bash Tesla, as now they're fixing their mistake.
That tension between what owners expect and what they actually get has also led to some notable reflections. One driver who recently upgraded their older Tesla Model Y to a newer version mentioned that, beyond a smoother ride, they also noticed improvements in camera clarity and everyday usability. It’s a reminder that while software updates help, some enhancements may only come with a newer build.
Another user, Patrick Dawson, brought up a closely related concern:
“Hoping a front bumper camera retrofit for the original Model Y will become available. Parking with fuzzy grey lines on a screen and multiple collision notifications when nowhere near anything is hopeless.”
This speaks to the entire camera experience. Many early Tesla adopters feel their vehicles are being left behind as newer builds get better hardware. Tesla’s move to improve visibility with this update is a step in the right direction, but it also shines a light on the issue that Patrick brought up.
Patrick’s complaint about “fuzzy grey lines” underscores how an otherwise high-tech vehicle can still fall short on basics like accurate parking lines or front visibility. That kind of gap between expectation and experience is part of what fuels larger sentiment shifts among Tesla owners—especially when frustrations build up over time. In one case, a Model 3 owner took that frustration to another level with a bumper sticker that, as this article on Tesla-owner tension points out, captured the emotional disconnect some drivers are starting to feel.
A Step Toward Better Sentiment
That said, when Tesla does get it right, owners take notice. A great example comes from a warranty repair story where a technician drove 2.5 hours across state lines just to replace both headlights right in the owner’s driveway. These moments build goodwill and loyalty, proving that even minor repairs, when handled well, can leave a lasting impression.
As Tesla navigates increasing scrutiny from both longtime fans and newcomers, updates like this help restore some balance. They don’t just improve the car, but they also rebuild trust. That’s especially important when you consider how many owners have shared recent frustrations, from useless Full Self-Driving on a 2,000-mile trip to inconsistent software behavior. But updates like 2025.20.3 show Tesla is still listening. That matters.
So from my perspective, this update might not seem revolutionary on the surface, but it highlights what makes Tesla ownership such a unique experience. They're always evolving. When something as subtle as a camera angle can be reworked through an over-the-air update, it speaks to the potential of software-led car development. But that same strength can also become a weakness when owners are waiting on fixes. This camera view fix, small as it is, tells me Tesla hasn’t forgotten that real people are trying to live with these decisions every day. And that’s something I hope we see more of in future updates.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025.20.3 update allows toggling between narrow and wide rear camera views, plus expands side camera feeds for better visibility.
- Many owners have long missed seeing parts of their vehicle, like the door edges, in the side camera views.
- The update could improve both driving and sentry mode footage by restoring a more usable angle.
- Frustrations about camera quality, field of view, and upgrade consistency remain, especially for owners of older vehicles.
- This shows Tesla is listening to user feedback, but it also highlights the ongoing challenge of keeping all owners satisfied as tech rapidly evolves.
What Do You Think?
Do you feel Tesla’s updates address real owner concerns, or are they just catching up on things that should’ve never been broken in the first place?
And what are some other changes you would like to see Tesla make?
Don't hesitate to drop a comment in our section below. Your voice helps shape what matters most to real owners like you.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The "Tesla Owners Australia" public Facebook group and Tesla's Gallery, respectively.
