Charge Port Door Actuator

Replacement of the charge port door actuator on a 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD. The actuator drives the latch/release mechanism on the rear-quarter charge port assembly and is accessed from inside the rear quarter panel/trunk trim.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Charge Port Door Actuator Assembly (Model 3/Y shared) × 1 — Tesla OEM charge port actuator — verify current part number with Tesla parts catalog for 2024 Model Y
• Replacement trim clips (in case originals break during disassembly) × 1 — Generic Tesla interior trim retainer clips

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 12V low-voltage battery (located behind/under the rear seat area on 2024 Model Y). Insulate the negative terminal so it cannot make contact.
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. Manually release the charge port door using the mechanical release cable accessed from inside the trunk (driver-side rear trunk trim), so the door is open and the actuator is accessible.
7. Open the rear trunk and clear the driver-side rear quarter trim area of cargo and the cargo cover.
8. Have replacement trim clips on hand — Tesla interior clips frequently break on first removal.

Procedure

1. 1

   Open charge port door manually
   With the 12V disconnected, the actuator cannot open the door electrically. Locate and pull the manufacturer-specified manual release cable inside the driver-side rear trunk area to pop the charge port door open. This gives partial access to the actuator from the outside and confirms the mechanical linkage state before removal.
2. 2

   Remove driver-side rear trunk trim
   Using a plastic trim tool, carefully release the clips on the driver-side rear cargo trim panel covering the inner quarter area. Remove any visible fasteners (typically push pins / Torx) and set the panel aside. This exposes the back side of the charge port assembly and the actuator harness.
   ⚠Pull clips straight out — angled prying will break the trim panel tabs.
3. 3

   Identify charge port assembly and HV inlet
   Visually identify the charge port housing. You will see the low-voltage actuator (small motor with a short linkage to the door) and, separately, the orange HV charge inlet cabling. The actuator job involves ONLY the low-voltage actuator. If any orange cable shows damage, abrasion, or disconnection — STOP.
   ⚠️Do NOT disconnect or move the orange HV inlet cables. They are not part of this repair.
4. 4

   Disconnect actuator electrical connector
   Locate the low-voltage connector feeding the charge port door actuator. Depress the lock tab and disconnect. This connector is small-gauge signal wiring — it is NOT high voltage. Inspect the pins for corrosion or damage before installing the new actuator.
5. 5

   Release actuator from charge port housing
   The actuator is retained to the charge port housing by the manufacturer-specified fasteners (typically small screws or a clip-and-screw arrangement). Remove the retention hardware while supporting the actuator so it does not fall into the quarter panel cavity. Disengage the actuator pin/linkage from the charge port door mechanism.
   ⚠If the actuator drops into the quarter panel, retrieval may require removing additional trim. Use a magnetic pickup or tape the actuator to a tether before loosening fasteners.
6. 6

   Remove old actuator
   Withdraw the old actuator from the housing. Compare it to the replacement to confirm matching connector, mounting orientation, and linkage geometry before proceeding. Note the resting position of the linkage arm — installing it 180° off will cause the door to bind or fail to latch.
7. 7

   Install replacement actuator
   Position the new actuator in the charge port housing, engaging the linkage arm with the door mechanism in the same orientation as removed. Install the retention hardware finger-tight first to confirm alignment, then torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual. Do not overtighten; the housing is plastic.
   Torque spec

   Charging Port Mounting8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reconnect actuator electrical connector
   Plug the low-voltage connector into the new actuator until the lock tab clicks. Confirm full seating — a partially seated connector will produce intermittent door operation faults.
9. 9

   Manually cycle the charge port door
   Before reinstalling trim, manually open and close the charge port door by hand to verify the new actuator linkage moves freely through its full travel without binding. The door should sit flush with the body when closed.
10. 10

    Reinstall interior trim
    Reinstall the driver-side rear trunk trim panel, replacing any broken clips. Press each clip in until it seats audibly. Reinstall any push pins or Torx fasteners removed earlier.

Reassembly

1. Confirm all trim clips are fully seated and panel is flush.
2. Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and torque the terminal clamp to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
3. Close the trunk and wait ~30 seconds for vehicle systems to wake and self-check.
4. Replace any cargo / cargo cover removed for access.

Verification

• From the Tesla mobile app or touchscreen (Controls → Charge Port → Open), command the charge port door to open. The new actuator should release the door cleanly within ~1 second.
• Press the button on a Tesla charge connector (or push the door directly) to confirm open command from the connector also works.
• Close the door manually and verify it latches flush — a non-flush door indicates linkage misalignment.
• Plug in a charge cable and confirm the latch holds the connector in place and releases on command. Failure to latch means the actuator linkage is on the wrong side of the cam.
• Check the touchscreen for any charge-port-related alerts. Clear codes via a power cycle (Controls → Safety → Power Off, wait 3+ minutes, then press brake to wake) if a transient alert is present.
• Note: This repair does not reset any service interval. While you have the rear interior accessible, this is a good time to verify cabin air filter age (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years) even though the filter itself is accessed from the front passenger footwell, not here.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

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