Charge Port Door Actuator

Replacement of the charge port door actuator on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The actuator drives the motorized charge port door on the driver-side rear quarter; access requires removing interior trim in the rear quarter area to reach the charge port assembly from behind.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Charge Port Door Actuator Assembly (Cybertruck-specific) × 1 — Tesla Cybertruck charge port door actuator — confirm via VIN at parts counter
• Replacement push-pin/clip set for interior trim (as needed) × 1 — Generic interior trim retainer clips — replace any damaged on removal

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla's documented Cybertruck procedure. NOTE: This is a 48V system, not 12V — connectors, fuses, and disconnect points differ from other Teslas.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal at 800V on this vehicle.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Place the vehicle in Transport / Service Mode if available via the touchscreen prior to LV disconnect, so air suspension settles to a stable height.
7. Open the charge port door via the touchscreen or app BEFORE disconnecting LV power if possible, to ease access. If the actuator has already failed closed, plan to release it manually via the emergency release cable inside the rear interior trim.
8. Tape off the stainless panels surrounding the charge port to prevent tool slips from marring the exoskeleton.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm vehicle is de-energized
   After the 48V LV disconnect, verify the touchscreen is dark, interior lights are off, and the air suspension is not actively cycling. Wait an additional 2 minutes before proceeding.
2. 2

   Access the charge port from inside the rear quarter
   Open the rear of the vehicle and remove the interior trim panel(s) covering the driver-side rear quarter behind the charge port. Use plastic pry tools at retainer clip locations only. Set fasteners aside in a labeled tray. Do not force panels — Cybertruck trim retainers can be brittle.
   ⚠If you see orange HV cabling behind the trim, stop and verify you are working on the actuator, not the charge inlet.
3. 3

   Manually release the charge port door (if stuck closed)
   Locate the manufacturer-specified manual release cable/tab on the back side of the charge port assembly and pull it to release the door latch. This allows the door to swing open for actuator access.
4. 4

   Disconnect the actuator electrical connector
   Locate the low-voltage connector on the actuator. Depress the locking tab and pull the connector straight off — do not pry. Inspect the connector and pins for corrosion or damage and note orientation for reinstallation.
   ℹ️On 48V architecture vehicles, even LV connectors can produce arcing if the system is live. Confirm LV is disconnected.
5. 5

   Remove the actuator mounting fasteners
   Remove the fasteners securing the actuator to its bracket on the charge port housing. Support the actuator by hand as the last fastener is removed so it does not fall into the cavity.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove the actuator from the charge port assembly
   Disengage the actuator's drive linkage/pin from the charge port door mechanism. The linkage typically unclips or slides free; do not pry against the charge port housing. Withdraw the actuator through the access opening.
   ⚠Avoid disturbing the HV charge inlet body itself or any of its internal contacts.
7. 7

   Compare new actuator to old
   Verify the replacement actuator matches the removed unit in mounting pattern, connector type, and drive linkage geometry. Cybertruck-specific actuators are not interchangeable with S/3/X/Y units.
8. 8

   Install the new actuator
   Position the new actuator and engage its drive linkage with the charge port door mechanism. Hand-start all mounting fasteners before torquing any to prevent cross-threading or misalignment.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Torque actuator mounting fasteners
   Torque the actuator mounting/bracket fasteners to the manufacturer-specified value using a calibrated torque wrench. For any fastener not on the verified torque list, torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect the LV connector
    Align and seat the LV connector onto the new actuator until the locking tab clicks. Tug-test gently to confirm full engagement.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the rear quarter interior trim panel(s), seating all retainer clips fully. Replace any clips that were damaged during removal.
2. Verify the charge port door swings freely by hand before powering the vehicle on.
3. Reconnect the 48V LV battery per Tesla's documented sequence.
4. Wake the vehicle and allow systems to fully boot (this can take 1-2 minutes on Cybertruck after an LV disconnect).

Verification

• From the touchscreen, command the charge port door to open. Confirm smooth, full travel with no binding or unusual noise.
• Command the door to close. Confirm the latch engages and the door sits flush with the surrounding stainless panel.
• Press the charge port release button on a Tesla charge handle (or use the app) to confirm the door opens via that pathway as well.
• Plug in a charge cable and confirm the vehicle recognizes the connection and initiates a charge session (or at minimum, latches the connector and shows ready-to-charge status).
• Check the touchscreen Service menu for any new fault codes related to the charge port. Clear any stored codes once the repair is verified.
• Inspect the surrounding stainless exoskeleton for any scuffs from the work and remove protective tape.
• Note: This job is not part of any scheduled Tesla maintenance interval, but while accessing the rear quarter, it's a good opportunity to confirm cabin air filter age (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years) if service history is unknown.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

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