Replace the rear tail light assembly on a 2012 Tesla Roadster. The Roadster shares its body and lighting hardware with the Lotus Elise/Exige platform, so the procedure differs significantly from later Tesla models.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tail light assembly (driver or passenger side as required) × 1 — OEM Tesla Roadster tail light assembly — Lotus-platform-derived; verify side and year
• Replacement bulbs (if not integral to the assembly) × 1 — Per OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place transmission in neutral or P (manual gearbox on early Roadsters — set to neutral and chock the wheels), engage the 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 low-voltage battery. On the 2012 Roadster the 12V auxiliary battery is located in the front trunk area / forward compartment — refer to the owner's manual for the exact location on your 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. Confirm replacement tail light assembly matches the original (LH vs RH, lens style, connector type) before removing the old unit.
7. Clean the area around the tail light to prevent dirt entering the body cavity once the lamp is removed.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the rear of the tail light assembly
   Open the rear clamshell / access the rear quarter as applicable to expose the back side of the tail light housing. On the Roadster this typically requires accessing through the rear deck or an interior trim panel behind the lamp. Work carefully — the composite body is fragile.
   ⚠Do not pry against painted composite panels. Use plastic trim tools only.
2. 2

   Disconnect the tail light wiring harness
   Locate the multi-pin connector(s) feeding the tail light assembly. Release the locking tab and pull straight out — do not pull on the wires. Inspect the connector for corrosion or moisture intrusion before setting aside.
3. 3

   Remove the tail light retaining fasteners
   Remove the fasteners securing the tail light assembly to the body. The Roadster generally uses small machine screws or studs/nuts threaded into the lamp housing. Support the lens from the outside as you remove the last fastener so it does not fall.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove the tail light assembly from the body
   Gently pull the assembly straight out of the body opening. Feed the wiring harness through the body grommet if applicable. Inspect the gasket/seal on the back of the lamp — replace it if cracked, hardened, or deformed.
   ⚠If the lamp resists removal, recheck for hidden fasteners. Do not pry against the painted body — the composite chips and cracks easily.
5. 5

   Transfer bulbs/sockets if required
   If the new assembly is supplied without bulbs, transfer bulbs and bulb holders from the old unit. Twist sockets counterclockwise to release. Handle halogen bulbs (if present) with gloves to avoid skin oils on the glass.
6. 6

   Install the new tail light assembly
   Position the new assembly into the body opening, ensuring the gasket seats evenly and any locating pegs engage their grommets. Route the harness back through to the rear cavity without pinching.
7. 7

   Install and torque retaining fasteners
   Thread the retaining fasteners by hand first to avoid cross-threading the lamp housing. Then torque to specification in a cross pattern to evenly seat the gasket. If the lens itself uses small screws, those use a separate (lower) torque value — refer to the Lens Screws spec.
   ⚠Do not overtighten — the housing is plastic and threads strip easily.
   Torque spec

   Tail Light Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

   Lens Screws2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reconnect the wiring harness
   Push the connector straight in until the locking tab clicks. Verify it is fully seated — partial seating is the most common cause of intermittent tail light faults on this platform.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any interior trim panels or rear deck access covers removed during the procedure.
2. Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and torque to the Battery Terminal Bolts specification (7.0 Nm / 5.0 lb-ft).
3. Allow the VMS to wake and complete its self-check before testing lights.

Verification

• With the key on, verify operation of: tail/running lamp, brake lamp (have an assistant press the pedal), turn signal, reverse lamp (if integrated), and side marker (if applicable) on the replaced side.
• Compare brightness and color against the opposite-side lamp — significant mismatch indicates a wrong-spec bulb or assembly.
• Check for water-tightness: spray the lamp area with low-pressure water and inspect the rear of the housing for any ingress.
• Confirm no warning lamps or 'lamp out' messages remain on the instrument cluster after a short drive cycle.
• Note: This job is not part of any scheduled Tesla service interval, but while you are at the rear of the vehicle, it is a good opportunity to inspect rear brake condition and verify the rear differential gear oil service interval (Roadster gearbox oil service should not be ignored — it is not a 'lifetime' fluid).

More procedures for this vehicle