Replace both left and right headlight assemblies on a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor. Access requires removal of the front fascia trim and inner fender liner edges; the Cybertruck's stainless exoskeleton means fasteners are accessed from behind body panels rather than through them.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cybertruck LH headlight assembly × 1 — Tesla OEM Cybertruck front headlamp, driver side — refer to parts catalog
• Cybertruck RH headlight assembly × 1 — Tesla OEM Cybertruck front headlamp, passenger side — refer to parts catalog
• Push-pin retainers / trim clips (as needed) × 10 — OEM replacement clips for fascia and liner — replace any broken 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 service procedure (Cybertruck uses 48V LV — NOT 12V). Verify the disconnect with a multimeter at the battery terminals 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. Lower the air suspension to Service Mode height (or place vehicle in Transport/Service Mode via the touchscreen) BEFORE disconnecting the LV battery so the suspension does not unexpectedly change height during work.
7. Place soft covers over the front hood edge, fenders, and front fascia stainless surfaces.
8. Open the frunk and front service access points to reach the rear of the headlight housings.
9. Have replacement trim clips on hand — original clips frequently break on removal.

Procedure

1. 1

   Enter Service Mode and disconnect LV battery
   Using the touchscreen, enter Service Mode and follow the on-screen prompts to power down the vehicle. After power-down, open the frunk, locate the 48V LV battery, and disconnect the negative terminal first. Insulate the terminal to prevent accidental reconnection.
   ⚠48V terminals can arc — use insulated tools and remove watches/jewelry.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove front fascia / lower trim as required for access
   Release the push-pin retainers along the lower edge of the front fascia and the inner wheel liner forward sections to expose the rear of each headlight assembly. Use plastic trim tools only. Set fasteners aside in labeled order; replace any clips that break.
   ⚠Do not pry against the stainless skin — pry only against fascia plastic.
3. 3

   Disconnect headlight electrical connectors (driver side)
   Reach behind the LH headlight assembly. Depress the connector locking tab(s) and disconnect the main headlamp harness connector. If a secondary connector for the integrated turn/DRL or light bar interface is present, disconnect it as well. Inspect connector pins for corrosion or damage.
   ℹ️Photograph connector routing before disconnecting to ease reinstallation.
4. 4

   Remove driver-side headlight mounting fasteners
   Remove the headlight assembly mounting bolts/nuts securing the housing to the front structure. Support the assembly with one hand as the last fastener is removed to prevent it from dropping against the stainless fascia. Carefully withdraw the housing forward, taking care not to scratch surrounding panels.
   ⚠If the retention method differs from bracket bolts on this build, torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Transfer any reusable hardware / brackets
   Compare the new LH headlight assembly to the removed unit. Transfer any retained brackets, isolators, or grounding hardware that did not ship with the new assembly. Confirm alignment dowels/tabs are intact on the new unit.
6. 6

   Install driver-side headlight assembly
   Position the new LH headlight into its mounting location, ensuring alignment tabs engage the body structure. Hand-start all fasteners before final tightening to allow alignment adjustment. Tighten mounting fasteners to spec in a cross/even pattern.
   ⚠Verify even panel gap with the hood and fender edges BEFORE final torque.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Reconnect driver-side electrical connectors
   Reconnect the main and any secondary harness connectors. Confirm the locking tabs click fully home. Route the harness to its original clips to prevent contact with sharp edges or moving suspension/steering components.
8. 8

   Repeat removal on passenger side
   Repeat steps 3–4 on the RH side: disconnect harness connectors, remove mounting fasteners, and withdraw the RH headlight assembly. Inspect the body structure mounting points for damage.
   Torque spec

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

   Install passenger-side headlight assembly
   Position the new RH headlight, hand-start all fasteners, verify alignment with adjacent panels, then torque the mounting fasteners. Reconnect all electrical connectors and verify locking tabs are fully engaged.
   Torque spec

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

    Reinstall fascia trim and inner liner sections
    Reinstall lower fascia and inner wheel liner sections with new clips where any were broken. Ensure no harness is pinched and that all clip seats are fully home.
11. 11

    Reconnect 48V LV battery
    Reconnect the 48V LV battery (positive first if it was removed, then negative last per Tesla procedure for this LV architecture). Torque the terminal bolts carefully — do not overtighten.
    ⚠Expect a brief system wake/initialization. Do not operate steering yoke until the steer-by-wire system has fully initialized.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Confirm all trim clips, fasteners, and connectors are reinstalled — none left over.
2. Wake the vehicle and exit Service Mode via the touchscreen.
3. Allow the vehicle to complete its self-check before driving; verify no warning messages on the cluster/touchscreen.
4. Clean fingerprints from the stainless surfaces with an approved cleaner and microfiber cloth.

Verification

• Cycle low beam, high beam, DRL, turn signals, and (if equipped) cornering/auto-leveling functions on both sides — confirm all operate.
• Check for any headlight, lighting, or BCM-related fault messages on the touchscreen. Clear any transient codes generated during the LV disconnect/reconnect.
• Verify automatic headlight leveling cycles correctly when the vehicle is started (air suspension may briefly adjust — this is normal).
• Perform headlight aim check against a level aiming screen at the manufacturer-specified distance; adjust if Tesla specification calls for it after assembly replacement.
• Inspect panel gaps between each headlight, the hood, and the front fascia — Cybertruck tolerances are tight; uneven gaps suggest the assembly is not seated correctly.
• Test-drive briefly to confirm steer-by-wire is fully calibrated and no ADAS/forward camera calibration warnings appear (the forward camera is separate from the headlights but shares the front zone — a calibration prompt may appear if other front-end work was done).
• Note: this job is not on a scheduled maintenance interval, but while the front end is apart it is a good time to verify washer fluid level (3.5 qt capacity) and inspect the cabin air filter age (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years).

More procedures for this vehicle