Replacement of a rear door power window regulator on a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance. Requires removal of the rear door trim panel, vapor barrier, and glass before unbolting the regulator/motor assembly from the door shell.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear door window regulator assembly (with motor) — manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model 3 × 1 — Tesla OEM rear door regulator — verify left vs. right side
• Butyl/door vapor barrier sealant (if original adhesive is damaged) × 1 — Generic automotive butyl rope sealant
• Replacement plastic trim clips (in case originals break on removal) × 1 — Generic Tesla Model 3 door panel clip kit

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the 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 12V (or 16V on applicable 2024 builds) low-voltage battery. On 2024 Model 3 the 12V is typically located behind the right rear seat back panel or under the floor — refer to architecture notes for this VIN.
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 affected rear window approximately halfway BEFORE disconnecting the 12V to expose the regulator-to-glass clamp bolts through the door access holes (if accessible on this model). If access holes are not present, glass can be repositioned manually after panel removal.
7. Open the affected rear door fully and protect the door sill and adjacent paint with a soft cover.
8. Confirm replacement regulator is correct side (left/right) and includes the motor if the original motor is being replaced.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear door trim panel
   Carefully pry the small trim cover behind the interior door release to expose the fastener (if equipped). Remove any visible Torx/Phillips screws securing the door card. Using a plastic pry tool, release the perimeter clips by pulling outward starting from the bottom corner and working around the panel. Lift the panel upward to disengage it from the window belt line.
   ⚠Pull straight outward on clip locations only — prying on the panel face can crack the trim.
2. 2

   Disconnect door card wiring
   With the panel tilted away from the door, disconnect the wiring harnesses for the window switch, speaker, courtesy lamp, and any other connectors. Release the interior door release cable from its retainer if applicable. Set the door card aside on a padded surface, interior face up.
3. 3

   Remove vapor barrier
   Carefully peel back the plastic vapor barrier/water shield from the inner door, preserving the butyl adhesive bead where possible by working slowly. Fold the barrier upward and tape it out of the way to allow access to the regulator and motor through the door cavity.
   ℹ️Damaged or torn vapor barriers must be replaced — water intrusion past the barrier can damage interior trim and electronics.
4. 4

   Secure the window glass
   Reposition the glass so the regulator-to-glass clamp bolts align with the door access holes. Once aligned, secure the glass to the upper door frame with strong painter's tape across the top edge of the glass on both inside and outside surfaces to prevent the glass from dropping when the clamps are released.
   ⚠️Frameless glass will fall into the door cavity if not taped — falling glass can shatter and cause lacerations.
5. 5

   Release glass from regulator carrier
   Through the access holes, loosen the regulator carrier clamp bolts that grip the lower edge of the glass. Once loosened, slide the glass free of the carriers (the glass remains taped in place at the top of the door frame).
6. 6

   Disconnect window motor connector
   Locate the window motor electrical connector inside the door cavity. Depress the locking tab and disconnect it. Free the harness from any clips attached to the regulator assembly so it remains with the door when the regulator is removed.
7. 7

   Unbolt regulator assembly
   Support the regulator assembly with one hand. Remove the regulator mounting bolts that secure the rails/motor bracket to the inner door panel. Note the orientation of any spacers or grounding tabs. The number and pattern of bolts varies — do not force; if the assembly does not move freely after all visible fasteners are removed, recheck for hidden fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove regulator through access opening
   Maneuver the regulator/motor assembly out through the largest service opening in the inner door. Tilt and rotate as necessary; do not force against the inner door sheet metal as it can deform.
   ⚠Sharp edges inside the door cavity can cut hands — wear cut-resistant gloves.
9. 9

   Compare new regulator to original
   Place the new regulator next to the original and verify rail length, motor orientation, connector type, and carrier position match. Pre-position the new regulator's glass carriers to roughly the same height as the originals were when removed, to simplify glass reinstallation.
10. 10

    Install new regulator
    Feed the new regulator through the service opening and align with mounting points. Hand-thread all bolts before tightening any one of them, then tighten in a cross pattern to OEM specification. Reconnect the window motor electrical connector and route the harness back into its original clips.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Connector Screws4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reattach glass to carriers
    Untape the glass at the top and slowly lower it into the regulator carriers. Align the glass mounting points with the carrier clamps and tighten the clamp bolts to OEM specification. Verify the glass is square in the door opening before fully tightening — refer to Tesla Service Manual for clamp torque if not listed.
    ℹ️Clamp bolt torque for the glass-to-carrier attachment is not in the verified torque list — torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.

Reassembly

1. Temporarily reconnect the 12V battery (terminal bolts to 6.0 Nm) and reinstall the door switch connector to test window operation up and down through full travel before reassembling the door panel.
2. Confirm no binding, abnormal noise, or misalignment of glass against the seal at the top of travel. Adjust glass position in the carriers if needed.
3. Disconnect the 12V again before final reassembly if working further inside the door.
4. Reinstall the vapor barrier, replacing or supplementing the butyl seal as needed to ensure a fully watertight bond around the entire perimeter.
5. Reconnect all door card harnesses (window switch, speaker, courtesy lamp, interior release cable).
6. Align the door card to the upper window belt trim first, then press firmly around the perimeter to seat all clips. Reinstall any visible screws.
7. Reconnect the 12V battery — Battery Terminal Bolts to specification.
8. Perform window auto-up/anti-pinch re-initialization: with the door closed, hold the switch in the DOWN position until the glass is fully down and continue holding for ~2 seconds, then hold the switch UP until the glass is fully up and continue holding for ~2 seconds. Repeat if auto-up does not function. Refer to Tesla Owner's Manual for current procedure if behavior is not restored.

Verification

• Operate the rear window from both the door switch and (if equipped) the front master switch — confirm full up/down travel without binding, scraping, or unusual motor noise.
• Verify auto-up and auto-down functions correctly after re-initialization, including anti-pinch reversal when an obstruction is introduced at the top of travel (test with a soft, non-damaging object).
• Close the door and confirm the glass seats fully into the upper weatherstrip with no gaps; perform a low-pressure water test at the door seam to verify the vapor barrier is intact.
• Check the Tesla touchscreen for any door/window related alerts after a full ignition cycle.
• Note: while the door is apart, this is a good opportunity to confirm cabin air filter service interval (every 2 years) and 12V battery age — replace 12V proactively if it is approaching 3-5 years of service.

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