Tesla, Inc.
Service Bulletin

SB-23-10-002
April 17, 2023

Reseal Trunk Lid to Prevent Water Ingress

R1

Classification

Section/Group

Mobile Service

Configuration

Repair Bulletin

10 - Body

Can Perform (where
permitted)

All

Model Year

Model

Country/Region

Build Location

2017 - 2023

Model 3

All

Fremont

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.

This Service Document supersedes SB-23-10-002, dated 5-Apr-23. This new revision, R1, adds a video that
describes the overall view of this procedure. Each content change is marked by a vertical line in the left margin.
Discard the previous version and replace it with this one.

Condition
On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid.

Correction
Inspect inside the trunk area for signs of water leaks that came through the trunk lid. If this symptom is present, reseal
the trunk lid.
Tip: Click here to watch a video that shows an overview of this procedure.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-23-10-002 Not Applicable

S012310002

0.00

Reseal Trunk Lid To Prevent Water Ingress

S022310002

2.40

NOTE: If the trunk seal is replaced, add correction code 11702002.

Part Number
Parts Required 1453383-00-A
1453384-00-A

1939248-00-A
1939249-00-A
1939250-00-A
If Necessary 1091069-00-E

Description

Quantity

LIFTGATE LAMP DOUBLE-ENDED STUD GASKET
LIFTGATE LAMP CONNECTOR GASKET

2
2

These parts are available through Grainger/McMaster-Carr
eProcurement:
LOCTITE HYBRID POLYMER 5510
CAULK GUN 10OZ-13OZ CARTIDGE
3M URETHANE PRIMER DAUBERS

1
1
1

SEALS, TRUNK, DECKLID

1

These part numbers were 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

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NOTE: This procedure addresses water ingress through the trunk lid and not due to water entering the vehicle
while the trunk was opened in the rain.

NOTE: Although the figures in this procedure highlight one side of the trunk lid, this procedure must be performed
on both sides (LH and RH) of the trunk lid.

Procedure
1. Remove the trunk lid trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111902).
2. Remove the LH and RH rear fog/reverse lights (refer to Service Manual procedure 17402702).
3. Remove and discard the factory foams (x2) (Figures 1–4) located under the LH and RH lamp can panels inside
the trunk lid.
CAUTION: Wear appropriate eye safety glasses and protective earplugs as Personal Protection Equipment
(PPE).

Figure 1 – Some components removed to aid clarity

Figure 2 – LH factory foam inside trunk lid; RH
similar

Figure 3 – LH factory foam removed from the trunk
lid; RH similar

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Figure 4 – Detailed view of a factory foam removed from the trunk
4. Prepare the caulking gun (1939249-00-A) with the 5510 white sealant (1939248-00-A) (Figure 5). Cut an
approximately 4 mm wide opening on the sealant dispensing tube (Figure 6) using a retractable blade knife.

4 mm wide opening

Figure 5

Figure 6

5. Apply the sealant on top of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the trunk assembly (Figures 7–10), and
then spread the sealant bead with your finger (Figures 11 and 12) while wearing a nitrile glove. Apply several
sealant beads as needed.
CAUTION: Use nitrile gloves as PPE for the remainder of this procedure.
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panels (Figure 12).

Figure 7 – RH lamp can panel shown, LH similar

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

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6. Apply the sealant on the sides and the back side of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the trunk lid
(Figures 13–18). Spread the sealant bead with your finger while wearing a nitrile glove. Apply several sealant
beads as needed.
NOTE: Use the dauber (1939250-00-A) in tight spaces (Figure 16).
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panels (Figure 18).

Figure 13

Figure 14

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Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

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7. Apply the sealant on the bottom side of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the trunk lid (Figures 19
and 20). Apply several sealant beads as needed.
NOTE: Use the dauber to apply the sealant in small spaces.
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panels (Figure 21).

Figure 19

Figure 20

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Figure 21
8. Inspect the trunk lid seams: Locate openings and pin holes in the highlighted areas (Figures 22–27).

Inspection of the
trunk lid seams areas
highlighted in yellow

Figure 22

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Figure 23

Figure 24 – Example of pin hole

Figure 25 – Example of pin hole
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Figure 26 – Example of trunk lid seam

Figure 27 – Example of pin hole
9. Use a plastic trim tool to remove any previously applied non-factory sealants in the highlighted areas, if present
(Figures 28–31).
CAUTION: Do NOT remove factory sealant. To differentiate between factory sealant and non-factory sealant,
factory sealant is painted over and is harder to remove, and non-factory sealant is usually clear and easier to
remove than factory sealant.
NOTE: Use adhesive remover, as needed.

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Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

10. Clean the trunk lid seams areas with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) wipes (Figures 32 and 33).

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Trunk seam areas to
clean with IPA wipes
highlighted in yellow
Figure 32

Figure 33

11. Apply sealant ONLY on the openings and pin holes found during the inspection (Figures 34 and 35).
CAUTION: Do NOT apply sealant to the entire trunk lid.

Figure 34

Figure 35

12. Remove excess sealant with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Allow 1 hour for the sealant to fully cure
(Figures 36–41).
CAUTION: Do not use chemicals to remove excess sealant.
NOTE: The sealant must be allowed to cure for 1 hour because touch-up paint will be applied onto it later in
this procedure.

Figure 36

Figure 37

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Figure 38

Figure 39

Figure 40

Figure 41

13. Apply sealant on the upper and lower panel mating surfaces for the LH and RH sides (Figures 42–45). Allow 1
hour for the sealant to fully cure.
NOTE: Apply sealant with your finger while wearing a nitrile glove, and then work sealant onto the factory
sealant.
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panel mating surfaces (Figure 45).
NOTE: The sealant must be allowed to cure for 1 hour because touch-up paint will be applied onto it later in
this procedure.

Figure 42

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Figure 43

Figure 44

Figure 45
14. Remove excess sealant from the upper and lower panel mating surfaces with a clean, dry microfiber cloth
(Figure 46). Allow 1 hour for the sealant to fully cure.
CAUTION: Do not use chemicals to remove excess sealant.
NOTE: The sealant must be allowed to cure for 1 hour because touch-up paint will be applied onto it later in
this procedure.

Figure 46

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15. Apply touch-up paint onto newly sealed areas (Figure 47–50).
NOTE: Make sure sealant is dry to the touch before touch-up paint is applied.

Figure 47

Figure 48

Figure 49

Figure 50

16. Inspect the overall condition of the trunk seal. If the trunk seal is compromised (Figure 51), replace the seal (refer
to Service Manual procedure 11702002).

Figure 51

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17. Close the trunk.
18. Verify that the trunk seal fully contacts the trunk lid and that there are no visible gaps (Figures 52 and 53).
NOTE: With assistance, shine a flashlight from the exterior and make sure no light is visible on the inside. If
light is visible, then replace the trunk seal and repeat this step. If light is still visible after the replacement of the
trunk seal, then perform trunk seal adjustment, as needed.

Figure 52

Figure 53

19. Open the trunk.
20. Put the RH rear fog/reverse light upside down on a padded surface (Figure 54).

Padded surface

Figure 54
21. Remove and discard the gaskets for the RH light connector (Figure 55) and mounting stud (Figure 56), and then
replace them with new ones (Figures 57 and 58).

Figure 55

Figure 56
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Figure 57

Figure 58

22. Repeat steps 20 and 21 for the LH rear fog/reverse light.
23. Install the LH and RH rear fog/reverse lights (refer to Service Manual procedure 17402702).
24. Install the trunk lid trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111902)

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