Tesla, Inc.
Service Bulletin

SB-20-45-001
February 14, 2020

Install 1st Row Floor Butyl Patches Due to
Flexing Noise

Classification

Section/Group

Mobile Service

Repair Bulletin

45 - Noise, Vibration & Harshness

Can Perform
(where permitted)

Model Year

Model

Country/Region

Version

2019

Model 3

United States, Canada

All

The model(s) and model year(s) listed are a general approximation of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine
applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.

Repair Bulletin: This repair bulletin provides instructions on addressing a noted condition or possible customer concern regarding
the operation of Tesla vehicles. These instructions should only be performed by trained professionals.

Condition
Some Model 3 vehicles were built without butyl patches on the LH and RH front 1st row floor panels. Consequently,
the sound of normal body flexing is heard and is not dampened.

Correction
Inspect for butyl patches and install them if they are missing.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-20-45-001 Not Applicable

S012045001

0.0

S022045001

0.3

S032045001

0.4

1st

Inspect
Installed

Row Floor Panels For Missing Butyl Patches; Butyl Patches Already

Inspect 1st Row Floor Panels For Missing Butyl Patches; Install Butyl Patches

Part Number
Part Required 1004969-00-A

Description

Quantity

RWK BUTYL FOIL, 300X150, 2MM THICK

2

This part number was current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later, unless otherwise
specified in the Parts Catalog.

Shop Supplies Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) wipes

Procedure
1. Open all doors and lower all windows.
2. Move the driver and front passenger seats fully rearward.
TIP: Observe the position of the seats before moving to ease restoring them back to their original position
later in this procedure.
3. Remove the LH and RH instrument panel end caps (refer to Service Manual procedure 14054102).
4. Remove the LH and RH middle A-pillar trims (refer to Service Manual procedure 15182602).
5. Remove the LH and RH lower A-pillar trims (refer to Service Manual procedure 15182402).
6. Remove the driver and passenger footwell covers (refer to Service Manual procedures 14055302 and 14055402).
7. Remove the LH and RH front floor mats.
8. Remove the LH and RH center console side panel carpets (refer to Service Manual procedure 15195402).
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9. Remove the clips (x4) that attach the RH front carpet to the vehicle (Figure 1).

Figure 1
10. Release the seat electrical harness from the clips to allow the RH front carpet to fold back more (Figure 2).

Figure 2
11. Remove the clips (x3) that attach the LH front carpet to the vehicle (Figure 3).

Figure 3
12. Fold the LH front carpet for access, and then release the seat harness from the clip to allow the carpet to fold back
further.
NOTE: The driver footrest is part of the LH front carpet and cannot be removed.

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13. Inspect the LH and RH 1st row floor panels for butyl patches:


If butyl patches are already installed on the floor panels (Figures 4 and 5), there might be something else
causing a similar kind of noise that is not related to this document. Continue normal diagnosis, reinstall the
components that were removed for access, and discontinue this procedure.



If butyl patches are not installed (Figures 6 and 7), continue to the next step.

Figure 4 – Butyl patch installed on LH side

Figure 5 – Butyl patch installed on RH side

Figure 6 – Butyl patch missing on LH side

Figure 7 – Butyl patch missing on RH side

14. Clean the floor panel butyl installation areas highlighted with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) wipes (Figures 8 and 9).
Allow 1 minute for the area to dry before continuing.

Figure 8 – LH front floor panel

Figure 9 – RH front floor panel

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15. Cut and remove a 50 mm x 50 mm square piece from the top LH corner of one butyl patch using scissors
(Figure 10). Repeat this step on the other butyl patch but this time cut and remove the top RH corner (Figure 11).

Figure 10 – RH butyl patch

Figure 11 – LH butyl patch

16. Align and then install each piece of butyl patch onto the LH and RH floor panel area as shown in Figures 12 and
13.
TIP: Use a plastic trim tool to firmly press the butyl patch onto the floor panel.

Figure 12 – LH floor panel

Figure 13 – RH floor panel

17. Unfold the RH front main carpet back to its original position, and then secure the seat electrical harness with clips
(Figure 2).
18. Install the clips (x4) that attach the RH front carpet to the vehicle (Figure 1).
19. Unfold the LH front main carpet back to its original position, and then secure the seat electrical harness with clip.
20. Install the clips (x3) that attach the LH front carpet to the vehicle (Figure 3).
21. Install the driver and passenger footwell covers (refer to Service Manual procedures 14055302 and 14055402).
22. Install the LH and RH lower A-pillar trims (refer to Service Manual procedure 15182402).
23. Install the LH and RH middle A-pillar trims (refer to Service Manual procedure 15182602).
24. Install the LH and RH instrument panel end caps (refer to Service Manual procedure 14054102).
25. Install the LH and RH center console side panel carpets (refer to Service Manual procedure 15195402).
26. Install the LH and RH front floor mats.
27. Restore the driver and front passenger seats back to their original position.

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For feedback on the accuracy of this document, email ServiceBulletinFeedback@tesla.com