SB-13-13-001

R6

Tesla Motors, Inc.

June 4, 2016

Service Bulletin

Third Row Seat Installation
Classification

Parts and
Accessories
Bulletin

Section/Group

13 - Seats

Country/Region

North America,
Europe, Japan

Year

All

Model

Model S

Version

All

Bulletin Classification: This bulletin provides instructions and guidelines for a vehicle procedure that is not the result of a
defect. This bulletin might not be VIN-specific. These instructions assume knowledge of motor vehicle and high voltage
electrical component repairs, and should only be executed by trained professionals. Tesla Motors assumes no liability for
injury or property damage due to a failure to properly follow these instructions or repairs attempted by unqualified
individuals.
This Service Bulletin supersedes SB-13-13-001 R5, dated 16-Feb-16. Each content change is marked by a vertical line in
the left margin. Discard the previous version and replace it with this one.
This Service Bulletin contains installation instructions for the optional third row seat. Included in this procedure are steps
to add the rear crossmember (if needed), remove and modify existing trim panels, install hardware, add the 2nd row
seatback bezel, and adjust the latch assembly.
NOTE: This procedure can be performed on any vehicle that is eligible for a third row seat based on the information in the
“Third Row Seat Eligibility”, “Rear Bumper Plate Inspection”, and “Affected VIN(s)” sections of this document. As with
other Service Bulletins, this procedure may be performed by professional 3rd-party repairers. Consequently, there are and
can be no restrictions on sales of third row seats to professional 3rd-party repairers.

Third Row Seat Eligibility
WARNING: Before performing this procedure, confirm that the vehicle is eligible for third row seats. Do not attempt to
install third row seats on a vehicle that is not configured to receive third row seats.


Approximately 50 F and R series vehicles must receive a rear bumper plate update and crossmember retrofit
before third row seat installation. While the standard configuration vehicles meet all Federal safety standards,
Tesla has increased rear collision protection in vehicles with third row rear-facing seating. Refer to SB-13-10-003,
“Rear Bumper Update and Crossmember Retrofit” for the instructions and the affected VIN range.



20 vehicles built in November 2012 are unable to be retrofitted for third row seats. Check the “Affected VIN(s)”
section of this document for VINs that are not configured to receive third row seats. Do not attempt to retrofit third
row seats on these vehicles.



Third row seats cannot be installed on vehicles with 2nd row Executive Seating.



Unless a vehicle has Executive seating or is called out in one of the two ranges of affected VINs, it is eligible for
third row seats. However, after February 14, 2013, the rear crossmember was not installed in any vehicle that was
not explicitly ordered with third row seats. These vehicles must receive a rear crossmember retrofit before third
row seat installation, as described in the “Rear Crossmember Installation” section of this document.

SB-13-13-001

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Correction Description

Correction

Time

Installation of Third Row Seat, Using Template to Cut Panels; Crossmember
Installation Not Required

S011313001

1.60

Installation of Third Row Seat, All Trim Panels Already Perforated; Crossmember
Installation Not Required

S021313001

1.25

Installation of Crossmember and Third Row Seat, Using Template to Cut Panels

S031313001

1.70

Installation of Crossmember and Third Row Seat, All Trim Panels Already Perforated

S041313001

1.35

Inspection Only; Cannot Install Third Row Seat

S051313001

0.10

Required Part(s): Part Number
1017509-00-E
1022581-00-E
1022762-00-E
1038318-00-A
1013634-00-B
1013254-00-A
1014747-00-A
1022449-00-A
2006869-00-A
1013633-00-A
1014277-00-A
1009399-00-A

Description
*ASY- THIRD ROW SEAT
*EU - ASY - THIRD ROW SEAT
*CA - ASY - THIRD ROW SEAT
*JP - ASY - THIRD ROW SEAT
HRST LATCH COVER
SCR,M4-1.46X10,PT,TRX,WSHR,ZnBlue
BLT,TRX,PFLG,M8-1.25xTBD[9.8]-09
BLT,BFLG,TRX,M10x28.4[10.9]-SM-NP-08
BARREL NUT, M10
2ND ROW BEZEL UPR
2ND ROW BEZEL LWR
PUSH PIN, STRUT COVER

Quantity
1
1
1
1
1
3
4
2
2
1
1
2

1013626-00-B
1013629-00-B

If the vehicle has the 1st generation rear node:
ASY - HIP STRIKER LH
ASY - HIP STRIKER RH

1
1

1013626-00-D
1013629-00-D

If the vehicle has the 2nd generation rear node:
ASY - HIP STRIKER LH
ASY - HIP STRIKER RH

1
1

If necessary:
1016334-00-A
1016335-00-A
1008173-00-A
6008902-00-A
1015811-S0-B
1006883-00-A

**ASY, C-PILLAR REAR LH
**ASY, C-PILLAR REAR LH, 3RD ROW SEAT
**SWITCH, LIFTGATE, 3RD ROW, BASE
**PWR LIFTGATE SWITCH, 3RD ROW SEATS
REAR CROSSMEMBER SVC
NUT HF M10x1.5 ZnAl [10]

1
1
1
1
1
8

*NOTE: Order ASY-THIRD ROW SEAT by specific region (USA, EU, Canada, or Japan)
**NOTE: Order C-Pillar Rear LH and switch by liftgate style
Shop supplies:
Super Glue (1031098-00-A* or equivalent)
*Available on the Tesla Chemicals website.
These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later,
unless otherwise specified in the Parts Manual.
Special Tool(s):

SB-13-13-001

If necessary:
1023385-01-A

THIRD ROW SEAT TEMPLATE

Page 2 of 28

Rear Trim Panel Removal
1. Remove the rear trunk load floor.
2. Remove the screw that secures the RH C-pillar rear trim panel. Unfasten the trim clips and remove the panel.
3. Remove the screw that secures the LH C-pillar rear trim panel (Figure 1). Carefully unclip and remove the panel
enough to see the liftgate switch wiring harness connector. Release the connector by hand.

Figure 1
NOTE: If the vehicle does not already have an interior liftgate switch, replace the LH C-pillar rear trim panel with a version
that has an access hole for a switch. The appropriate switch for the power or manual liftgate must also be installed when
the vehicle is reassembled. See the Affected Parts list for part numbers, and bulletin SB-13-17-004, “Interior Liftgate
Switch Verification”, for instructions.
4. Disengage the four trim clips that secure the trunk sill panel and remove it (Figure 2).

Figure 2

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5. Remove the LH and RH trunk side trim panel covers (Figure 3).

Figure 3 (RH shown, LH similar)

Trunk Carpet Trim Removal
1. Remove the retaining finisher buttons and fir tree clips around the top of the footwell (Figure 4).
NOTE: Some parts might have Velcro strips instead of finisher buttons.

Finisher Button

Figure 4
2. Remove the clips on the outboard edge of the lower carpet to release it from the trunk floor trim carpet.
3. Remove the 3 fir tree clips that secure the back edge of the trunk floor trim carpet along the seats: one at each corner
and one at the 60/40 seat split.
4. Pull upward on the trunk floor trim carpet to remove it (Figure 5) and set it aside on a protective surface.

Figure 5
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5. Remove the trunk footwell carpet and set it aside on a protective surface.
6. Remove the LH and RH strut cover (side rail cover) rear carpets and set them aside on a protective surface.
7. Remove the 2 fir tree clips at the front and back corners of the LH trunk side trim panel.
8. Carefully pull back the liftgate edge of the panel. If the trim has trunk lights, disconnect the trunk light wiring harness
by pressing the tab (Figure 6).

Figure 6
9. Remove the LH trunk side trim carpet panel and set it aside on a protective surface.
10. Repeat steps 6-8 to remove the RH trunk side trim panel.

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Rear Bumper Plate Inspection
1. Hold the trunk floor insulation away from the rear body panel.
2. Look down the outboard side of the side rails where they meet the rear bumper plate. Verify that:



4 bolts connect the tabs of the rear bumper plate to the side rail (Figure 7).
4 visible studs run through the rear panel to protrude under the fascia. The stud heads are visible through the
bumper plate. The top and bottom are for the rear bumper, and the middle two are for the rear crossmember.

For bumper

For crossmember
Bumper plate
tab bolts

For crossmember
Bumper plate
tab bolts
For bumper

Figure 7 (LH pictured, RH similar)
Some early cars might have an L-bracket with tabs installed, which is also acceptable (Figure 8).

Figure 8

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WARNING: If the vehicle is missing either the 8 crossmember studs or the rear bumper plates with bolted tabs, this
vehicle cannot be retrofitted with third row seats. Reinstall the trunk carpets and trunk trim.
3. If the car has rear bumper plate tabs and has 8 studs per side (4 bumper, 4 crossmember), continue with “Rear
Crossmember Installation”.

Rear Crossmember Installation
1. Remove the rear fascia assembly (refer to Service Manual procedure 10013001).
2. Remove the 8 flange nuts that secure the rear bumper (Figure 9). Remove the bumper from the vehicle.

Figure 9 (Rear bumper highlighted)
3. Check whether a rear crossmember is already installed (Figure 10). If a rear crossmember is already installed on its 8
studs, reinstall the bumper (torque 52 Nm) and rear fascia and skip directly to the “Template Preparation” section.

Figure 10 (Rear crossmember installed)

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4. If a rear crossmember is not yet installed, but 8 studs exist on the rear panel next to the bumper studs (Figure 11),
remove the flange nuts and any washers from the studs. Discard any washers that were installed on the vehicle.

Figure 11 (Rear crossmember studs)
5. Install the rear crossmember onto the vehicle using 4 M10 flange nuts on each end (torque 50 Nm).
6. Reinstall the rear bumper on the vehicle using the original flange nuts (torque 52 Nm).
7. Reinstall the rear fascia assembly.

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Template Preparation
This template consists of a kit that has total of 5 templates and is available to modify carpet and plastic trim if the trim
pieces are not already perforated (Figures 12 and 13):
C

E

D

A
B
Figure 12

Figure 13

Description

Application

Template A

Main template for cutting the trunk floorboard and footwell carpet

Template B

Properly bending template A along the perforated lines

Template C

Drilling a hole in the LH and RH side plastic strut covers

Template D

Cutting the strut cover carpet (side rail cover)

Template E

Cutting the LH and RH side carpet trim panels

NOTE: Check the procedures ahead to verify whether any of these templates are required. If so, assemble the templates
as shown.
NOTE: This procedure only needs to be performed before the template is used for the first time.
WARNING: Take care when preparing the template. The edges might be sharp. Wear nitrile coated gloves for
protection when handling the template.
1. Inspect template sections (Figures 12 and 13).
2. Place the main template A on the edge of a workbench.
TIP: Use a workbench with a ¼” radius edge for better results.

SB-13-13-001

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3. Align the edge of the workbench between the template marking lines (Figure 14).

Figure 14 (Template marking lines highlighted)
4. Put a support bar on top of the template, then secure the template with a clamp (Figure 15).

Clamp
Support Bar
Template A
Workbench
Figure 15
CAUTION: Do not bend the template past 90 degrees to avoid breaking the template.
5. On template A, use a deadblow hammer to bend the tabs at the perforated lines (Figure 16) from straight to
approximately a 90 degree angle (Figure 17).

Figure 16