Replacement of a rear door power window regulator on a 2024 Model S Plaid. The rear doors use a frameless glass design with a cable-driven regulator assembly bolted inside the door shell behind the trim panel and vapor barrier.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear door window regulator assembly (with motor) - manufacturer-specified for 2024 Model S Plaid × 1 — Tesla OEM rear regulator — verify by VIN
• Replacement door vapor barrier butyl sealant (if original tears) × 1 — Generic automotive butyl rope sealant
• Plastic trim retaining clips (commonly damaged on removal) × 1 — Tesla door panel clip set

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 low-voltage battery: on most 2024 Model S Plaid this is the 16V lithium unit under the rear seat (verify by VIN — some units retain 12V in the frunk). Refer to architecture notes.
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. Place the affected rear window in the fully UP position BEFORE disconnecting the low-voltage battery (the regulator must be accessible with glass at top).
7. Identify which rear door (driver or passenger). Cover adjacent painted aluminum surfaces with a soft blanket.
8. Gather the replacement regulator and verify it matches left/right side of the vehicle.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear door interior trim panel
   Using a plastic trim tool, gently release the rear door pull-handle bezel and any concealed fastener covers. Remove the visible Torx/Phillips fasteners behind the covers and inside the door pull. Starting at the lower rear corner, work the trim panel free of its retaining clips around the perimeter. Lift the panel upward off the window sill. Disconnect the harness connectors for the door switches, speaker, and ambient light at the panel before fully removing it. Set the panel face-up on a padded surface.
   ⚠Plastic clips on Tesla doors break easily — replace any damaged clips before reassembly.
2. 2

   Peel back the vapor barrier
   Carefully peel the plastic vapor barrier away from the inner door shell along the butyl sealant bead. Work slowly to keep the butyl intact for reuse. Fold the barrier upward and tape it out of the way to expose the regulator service openings.
   ℹ️Preserve the butyl sealant bead — a torn vapor barrier causes wind noise and water intrusion into the cabin and floor electronics.
3. 3

   Secure the window glass
   With the glass fully up, run two strips of painter's tape across the top of the glass and onto the upper door frame to lock the glass in the up position. This prevents the glass from dropping when the regulator clamps are released.
   ⚠Frameless rear glass will fall if not taped — risk of shatter and laceration injury.
4. 4

   Disconnect the regulator motor connector
   Locate the electrical connector on the window motor. Release the lock tab and disconnect the harness. Tuck the harness clear of the regulator assembly.
5. 5

   Release glass from the regulator carrier
   Through the access holes in the inner door shell, locate the two glass-to-carrier clamp bolts (or clip-style retainers depending on production date). Loosen the bolts to release the glass from the carrier. With the glass still taped in place, the glass will remain at the top of the door.
   ⚠Confirm tape is holding glass before fully releasing the carrier clamps.
6. 6

   Remove regulator mounting fasteners
   Remove the regulator-to-door bolts (typically 4-6 fasteners) securing the regulator frame to the inner door shell. Support the regulator assembly by hand as the last fastener is removed — it is heavier than it appears due to the integrated motor.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Maneuver regulator out of the door
   Tilt and rotate the regulator assembly to clear the inner door structure and feed it out through the largest service opening. Do not force — if it binds, re-check the orientation. Place the old assembly on the bench and compare to the new unit (cable routing, motor orientation, mounting hole pattern).
8. 8

   Install new regulator assembly
   Feed the new regulator assembly into the door through the same opening, in the same orientation. Align the mounting holes with the inner door shell and start all fasteners by hand before torquing. Torque the regulator mounting bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reattach glass to carrier
   Lower the glass onto the new carrier (you may need to release tape slightly and gently guide the glass down). Align the glass mounting points with the carrier clamps. Tighten the glass clamp bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual. Re-tape the glass to the frame until the door is back together.
   ⚠Over-tightening glass clamps can crack the laminated glass.
10. 10

    Reconnect motor harness
    Plug the motor connector back in until the lock tab clicks. Route the harness in its original clips so it cannot be pinched by the moving carrier.

Reassembly

1. Reseat the vapor barrier onto the butyl bead, pressing firmly along the entire perimeter to restore the water seal. Apply fresh butyl sealant to any torn sections.
2. Reconnect the door panel harnesses (switches, speaker, ambient light).
3. Position the trim panel onto the door, aligning the upper lip over the window sill first, then press the perimeter clips home.
4. Reinstall the door pull fasteners and bezel covers.
5. Remove the painter's tape from the glass.
6. Reconnect the low-voltage battery. Torque the battery terminal to specification.
7. Close the door gently and verify trim panel sits flush with no gaps.

Verification

• Re-initialize the window: with the door closed, hold the window switch in the UP position for 3 seconds after the glass reaches the top, then hold DOWN for 3 seconds after it bottoms out, then UP again. This calibrates the auto one-touch and anti-pinch function.
• Test auto-up and auto-down operation. Anti-pinch must reverse the glass when an obstruction is felt during auto-up — test with a rolled towel.
• Verify the frameless glass seats correctly into the upper seal when the door is closed (Plaid uses an automatic short-drop function: glass should drop ~10mm when door handle is pulled and rise to seal when door closes).
• Listen for wind noise at highway speed — improper vapor barrier reseating is the most common cause of post-repair noise complaints.
• Check the vehicle touchscreen for any window-related fault messages. Clear via a soft reboot (scroll wheel hold) if a transient fault is present.
• Confirm no water intrusion at the next rain or wash — a poorly sealed vapor barrier can drip onto the rear floor harness.

More procedures for this vehicle