Replacement of a tail light assembly on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast. The Cybertruck uses LED tail lights integrated into the stainless exoskeleton rear quarters, accessed through the bed/tailgate area with the assembly secured by fasteners and a low-voltage harness connector.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tail light assembly (Cybertruck-specific, left or right as required) × 1 — Tesla Cybertruck OEM tail light assembly — verify side (LH/RH) before ordering
• Replacement fasteners if any are damaged on removal × 1 — Manufacturer-specified bolts/clips as required

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob (or phone key) carried 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 service procedure (Cybertruck uses a 48V LV architecture, not 12V). Locate and isolate the LV battery negative before proceeding.
4. Do NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
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. Identify which tail light (LH or RH) is being replaced and confirm the replacement assembly matches.
7. Open the tailgate and clear the bed area for access. Apply painter's tape around the tail light perimeter to protect adjacent stainless surfaces.
8. Gather tools and stage the new assembly nearby on a clean, padded surface to avoid scratching.

Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm vehicle is fully powered down
   Verify the touchscreen is off and the vehicle has entered deep sleep. Confirm the 48V LV battery has been disconnected. Do not skip this — the tail light circuit is on the 48V LV bus and live disconnects can damage the LED driver and arc the connector.
   ⚠️48V is high enough to arc; never unplug a live tail light connector.
2. 2

   Access the tail light fasteners
   From inside the bed/tailgate area, remove any access cover, trim plug, or service panel covering the rear of the tail light assembly. Use a plastic trim tool to release any push-pin retainers. Set hardware aside in a labeled tray.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect the tail light electrical connector
   Locate the LV harness connector on the back of the tail light housing. Depress the connector lock tab and pull straight back — do not pull on the wires. Inspect the connector for corrosion, water intrusion, or pin damage and note any findings.
   ⚠Cybertruck connectors may differ from prior Tesla LV connectors due to the 48V architecture. Do not force; verify the lock release direction.
4. 4

   Remove the ground bolt (if equipped)
   If the assembly uses a separate chassis ground stud/bolt, remove it now. Note the orientation of the ground ring terminal and any star washer for reinstallation.
   ⚠A poor ground connection on a 48V LED assembly can cause flicker, dim output, or driver failure. Reuse must include clean, corrosion-free contact surfaces.
   Torque spec

   Ground Bolt14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the tail light retaining bolts
   Remove the tail light mounting bolts securing the assembly to the rear structure. Support the assembly with one hand as the final fastener is removed so it does not fall and damage the stainless panel.
   Torque spec

   Tail Light Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove the tail light assembly from the vehicle
   Carefully draw the assembly straight rearward to clear any alignment pins or foam gaskets. Do not twist or pry against the stainless exoskeleton. Place the removed assembly on a padded surface.
   ⚠Stainless steel will show pry marks permanently. Use only plastic tools at the seam.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting surfaces and gasket
   Inspect the body opening, gasket/foam seal, and alignment features. Clean any debris. If the gasket is torn or compressed-out, replace it — water intrusion into a 48V LV harness can corrode pins and cause faults.
8. 8

   Install the new tail light assembly
   Position the new assembly into the opening, aligning to locating pins. Start all mounting bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading, then torque to specification in a cross/even pattern.
   Torque spec

   Tail Light Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall the ground bolt
   Reattach the chassis ground ring terminal (if equipped) ensuring clean metal-to-metal contact. Torque to specification. This is a CRITICAL fastener — a loose ground will cause intermittent lighting faults.
   ⚠CRITICAL torque — under-torque causes ground faults; over-torque can crush the ring terminal.
   Torque spec

   Ground Bolt14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect the LV harness connector
    Align the connector and push straight in until the lock tab clicks fully. Tug-test gently to confirm engagement. Route the harness exactly as it was originally to avoid pinching against the stainless edge.
11. 11

    Reinstall access covers and trim
    Reinstall any service cover, trim panel, or push-pin retainers removed for access. Torque cover screws to specification.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Remove painter's tape from around the tail light perimeter and clean any fingerprints from the stainless using an approved stainless-safe cleaner and microfiber.
2. Reconnect the 48V low-voltage battery per Tesla procedure, observing correct sequence and any required wake-up steps.
3. Allow the vehicle to fully boot and the touchscreen to come up before testing lighting functions.
4. Close the tailgate and verify the new tail light sits flush with the surrounding panels and gap is even side-to-side.

Verification

• With the vehicle awake, cycle through running lights, brake (have an assistant press the pedal), and turn signal — confirm correct illumination with no flicker.
• Engage Reverse (R) briefly with foot on brake to verify reverse light function if integrated into this assembly.
• Check the touchscreen for any vehicle alerts related to exterior lighting or LV bus faults. Cybertruck will typically post a warning if a lighting circuit is open or shorted.
• Walk around the rear of the vehicle at night or in shade to confirm uniform LED output with no dark segments.
• Re-check the tail light bolts and ground bolt after the first drive — vibration can settle fasteners on initial install.
• Note: This job does not affect the 2-year brake fluid service, 2-year cabin filter, or coolant inspection intervals — but if the vehicle is in for service, this is a good opportunity to verify those intervals are current.

More procedures for this vehicle