Replace the rear tail light assembly on a 2024 Model S Plaid. The outer tail light is accessed from inside the trunk through service grommets/covers; the inner (trunk lid) tail light requires opening the trunk and removing interior trim.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tail light assembly (outer body-mounted or inner trunk-lid mounted, side-specific) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model S (2021+ refresh) tail light — verify left/right and outer/inner by VIN
• Replacement push-pin retainers (in case originals break during trim removal) × 4 — Generic Tesla interior trim clips

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place the vehicle in P, and engage the parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob 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 low-voltage battery: on most 2024 Model S Plaid this is the 16V lithium under the rear seat; some units retain the frunk-located 12V under the nose cowl. Verify location for this VIN before disconnecting.
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. Confirm whether the failed unit is the outer (quarter-panel) tail light or the inner (trunk-lid) tail light — removal procedure differs slightly.
7. Open the trunk and lay a soft cover over the rear bumper paint edge to protect the aluminum body during removal.
8. Have the replacement tail light unboxed and inspected for shipping damage before removing the original.

Procedure

1. 1

   Open trunk and access tail light service area
   Open the trunk fully. Remove the rear trunk side trim panel (outer tail light) or the trunk lid inner trim panel (inner tail light) using a plastic trim tool. Release push-pin clips carefully — replace any that break on reassembly.
   ⚠Aluminum body — pry only against plastic clips, never against the painted body panel edge.
2. 2

   Disconnect tail light electrical connector
   Locate the wiring harness connector at the back of the tail light assembly. Press the locking tab and pull the connector straight off — do not twist. Inspect the connector pins for corrosion or moisture intrusion.
   ℹ️If the connector is wet or corroded, investigate the body seal before installing a new light — moisture is the most common cause of repeat failures.
3. 3

   Remove tail light mounting fasteners
   Remove the tail light retaining nuts/bolts accessing them through the trim opening. Typical refresh Model S uses 2–3 fasteners per tail light assembly. Support the light with one hand as you remove the last fastener so it does not fall.
   Torque spec

   Tail Light Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Release tail light from body
   From outside the vehicle, gently pull the tail light assembly straight rearward. There are alignment pegs/grommets that release with steady pressure. Do not pry against the painted body — if it does not release, recheck for missed fasteners.
   ⚠Pulling at an angle can break the alignment pegs molded into the housing. Pull straight out.
5. 5

   Inspect and clean mounting area
   Inspect the body opening for debris, damaged foam gaskets, or sealant residue. Clean the mating surface with a lint-free cloth. Verify the body grommets that receive the tail light alignment pegs are intact.
6. 6

   Transfer or compare to new assembly
   Compare the new tail light assembly side-by-side with the original. Confirm part orientation, connector type, and that any sub-gaskets are pre-installed. Do not power-bench-test the new unit outside the vehicle.
7. 7

   Install new tail light assembly
   Align the alignment pegs with the body grommets and press the assembly straight into place until seated flush with the body line. Verify panel gaps match the surrounding bodywork before installing fasteners.
   ⚠Forcing an unaligned assembly will crack the housing. If it doesn't seat with light pressure, stop and re-align.
8. 8

   Install and torque mounting fasteners
   Hand-thread all retaining fasteners first to ensure proper alignment, then torque to specification. Do not overtighten — the housing is plastic and will distort or crack.
   Torque spec

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

   Reconnect electrical connector
   Plug the harness connector into the new tail light until the locking tab clicks. Tug lightly to confirm it is fully seated. Route the harness back into its original clips so it does not contact moving parts or sharp edges.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the trunk side trim panel or trunk lid inner trim, replacing any broken push-pin clips.
2. Ensure all clips are fully seated — listen for the click on each one.
3. Close the trunk and verify the panel gap and flushness of the new tail light against the surrounding body.
4. Reconnect the low-voltage battery, observing the verified battery terminal torque.
5. Wait approximately 30–60 seconds for the vehicle to wake and re-initialize lighting modules before testing.

Verification

• Test all tail light functions: running lights, brake lights, turn signal, reverse light (if integrated), and rear fog (market-dependent).
• Verify the dynamic/sequential turn signal animation runs correctly across the full LED bar — a partial animation indicates a bad LED driver or a poor connector seat.
• Check the touchscreen for any 'Vehicle systems' or lighting-related alerts. Clear any lamp-out warnings via a drive cycle.
• Inspect the tail light seal from inside the trunk after a water test (hose, not pressure washer) — any moisture indicates a misaligned gasket or damaged grommet.
• Confirm panel gaps are even with the surrounding bodywork; uneven gaps indicate the alignment pegs are not fully seated.
• While the rear trim is open, this is a good opportunity to inspect the 12V/16V battery state and note the next cabin air filter (every 2–3 years on HEPA-equipped Model S) and brake fluid (every 2 years) service intervals.

More procedures for this vehicle