electrical

Headlight Assembly

for 2024 Tesla Model Y Performance Dual Motor AWD · AWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

Replacement of a front headlight assembly on a 2024 Model Y Performance. The headlight is accessed after removing the front fascia fasteners along the wheel arch and upper grille area; full bumper removal is not strictly required but the fascia must be pulled forward on the affected side.

Warnings

⚠️Do not touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. Although this job is body/lighting only, orange HV cables are routed under the vehicle — stay clear of them.

⚠The Model Y has aluminum body panels and painted plastic fascia — do not strike with a hammer or pry against painted surfaces. Use plastic trim tools only.

⚠The matrix LED headlight is calibrated to the vehicle. After replacement, the car may require headlight aim verification and, in some cases, configuration via Tesla Service. Confirm functionality before returning the vehicle to service.

ℹ️Headlight connectors on Tesla assemblies use a sliding lock — do not yank the harness. Slide the lock, then depress the release tab.

ℹ️Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery before unplugging the headlight to prevent setting fault codes in the body controller.

Tools required

Trim panel removal tool set (plastic pry tools)Essential

T20 Torx driverEssential

T25 Torx driverEssential

10mm socketEssential

1/4" drive ratchet with short extensionEssential

Calibrated torque wrench (2-30 Nm range)Essential

Painter's tape (to protect paint at fascia edges)

Soft blanket or fender cover

Headlamp aim alignment tool or aim screen

Parts

Front headlight assembly (LH or RH, Model Y Performance 2024 spec — matrix LED variant) × 1 — OEM Tesla Model Y 2024 Performance headlight assembly — verify left vs right by VIN
Plastic push-pin retainers (commonly damaged on removal) × 6 — OEM-equivalent fascia/fender liner push pins

Preparation

Park on level ground, place the vehicle in P, and engage the parking brake.
Exit all doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even though this is a non-HV job.
Open the frunk and disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery (Model Y 12V is accessed under the frunk apron/cowl trim). Insulate the negative terminal so it cannot contact the post.
Do NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
If you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
Turn the steering wheel to give access to the front wheel arch on the side being serviced.
Place a fender cover or soft blanket along the fender edge to protect paint while the fascia is flexed forward.
Verify you have the correct left or right headlight assembly for a 2024 Model Y Performance before beginning.

Procedure

1
Loosen the front wheel arch liner
Remove the Torx and push-pin fasteners along the front edge of the wheel arch liner on the affected side. Pull the liner back enough to access the fascia-to-fender bolt hidden behind it. Save all fasteners; replace any broken push pins.
2
Release the upper fascia fasteners
Open the frunk. Remove the upper fascia trim/cover fasteners across the leading edge of the frunk opening to expose the upper row of fascia bolts. Remove the upper fascia retaining bolts on the side being serviced. Keep hardware organized by location.
3
Release the fascia at the wheel arch
Remove the fascia-to-fender bolt accessed through the wheel arch. Carefully disengage the fascia from the fender clip on the side being serviced by pulling outward and forward at the wheel arch corner. You only need to free the fascia on the affected side — full bumper removal is not required.
⚠Do not pry fascia from the painted fender; pull by hand at the wheel arch corner to release the hidden clip.
4
Gain access to the headlight mounting bolts
With the fascia released on the affected side, gently flex it forward enough to expose the headlight assembly mounting flange. Support the fascia so it does not hang on its own weight; use a soft strap to a fender cover or have an assistant hold it.
5
Disconnect the headlight harness
Locate the main harness connector at the rear of the headlight assembly. Slide the connector lock to the unlocked position, depress the release tab, and pull the connector straight off. Do not pull on the wires.
ℹ️Inspect the connector for moisture or corrosion — report any findings before installing the new assembly.
6
Remove the headlight assembly mounting bolts
Remove the headlight assembly mounting bolts (typically three: one upper-inboard, one upper-outboard, and one at the lower mounting tab). Support the headlight with one hand as the last bolt is removed.
Torque spec
Headlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7
Remove the headlight assembly
Lift the headlight assembly forward and out of the vehicle. Inspect mounting tabs on the body and on the assembly for damage. Set the old unit on a soft surface, lens-up, to avoid scratching the optic.
⚠The headlight has plastic locating tabs that are easily broken if the unit is twisted during removal. Lift it out straight.
8
Transfer any reusable items and compare units
Compare the new headlight assembly to the original side-by-side. Confirm part variant (matrix LED vs. base, LH vs. RH), connector keying, and mounting tab geometry match before installation.
9
Install the new headlight assembly
Position the new headlight into the body opening, engaging the locating tabs first. Hand-thread all mounting bolts before torquing any of them, to allow the assembly to self-align. Then torque the headlight assembly bolts to specification.
Torque spec
Headlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect the headlight harness
Plug the harness connector straight into the headlight, ensure the latch clicks, then slide the connector lock to the locked position. Verify the connector is fully seated by gently tugging the connector body (not the wires).
11
Adjuster screws (if applicable)
If the assembly has accessible aim adjuster screws, set them to the center/neutral position per the manufacturer-specified procedure prior to fascia reinstallation. Do not over-tighten — these screws drive a fragile geared adjuster.
Torque spec
Adjuster Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Reposition the front fascia onto the fender clip at the wheel arch and press until the clip seats audibly.
Reinstall the fascia-to-fender bolt accessed through the wheel arch — torque to OEM specification (refer to Tesla Service Manual).
Reinstall the upper fascia bolts across the frunk opening — torque to OEM specification (refer to Tesla Service Manual).
Reinstall the upper frunk trim/cover and any push-pin fasteners; replace any broken pins with new ones.
Reinstall the front wheel arch liner with all Torx fasteners and push pins.
Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery negative terminal. Tighten the terminal bolt to the verified terminal bolt torque, and verify the chassis ground bolt is tight to its critical spec if it was disturbed.
Close the frunk and verify the latch engages fully.

Verification

With the key fob present, wake the vehicle and confirm low beam, high beam, daytime running light, turn signal, and (if equipped) cornering/matrix functions on the replaced side via the Lights menu in the touchscreen.
Check the touchscreen for any new alerts (e.g., headlight communication or DRL faults). If a configuration alert appears, the assembly may require coding by Tesla Service.
Perform a headlight aim check against a wall or aim screen at the manufacturer-specified distance; adjust using the adjuster screws if needed and re-torque to spec.
Visually confirm panel gaps between the headlight, fender, hood, and fascia are even and consistent with the opposite side.
Drive the vehicle briefly and re-check that no lighting faults appear after a full ignition cycle.
Note: This job does not affect Tesla service intervals, but while the front end is apart, consider checking the cabin air filter (2-year interval) and brake fluid condition (2-year interval) if either is due.