Tesla, Inc.
Service Bulletin

SB-23-10-003
April 17, 2023

Reseal Liftgate Assembly 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

2020 - 2023

Model Y

All

Fremont, Giga Austin

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-23-10-003, 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 Y vehicles, water may have leaked inside the rear trunk area through the liftgate assembly.

Correction
Inspect inside the trunk area for signs of water leaks that came through the liftgate assembly. If this symptom is
present, reseal the liftgate assembly.
Tip: Click here to watch a video that shows an overview of this procedure. Although the video shows this
procedure being performed on a Model 3, Model Y is similar.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-23-10-003 Not Applicable

S012310003

0.0

Reseal Liftgate Assembly To Prevent Water Ingress

S022310003

1.8

NOTE: If the liftgate 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 1497681-00-B

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

LIFTGATE SEAL

1

These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later, unless
otherwise specified in the Parts Catalog.

Special Tools 1460222-00-B

SKT, BUMP STOP, MDL3

Shop Supplies Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) wipes

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

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

Procedure
1. Remove the liftgate upper trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111002).
2. Remove the liftgate lower trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111302).
3. Remove the LH and RH rear fog/reverse lights (refer to Service Manual procedure 17402701).
4. Remove and discard the factory foams (x2) (Figures 1–4) located under the LH and RH lamp can panels inside
the liftgate assembly.
CAUTION: Wear appropriate eye safety glasses and protective earplugs as Personal Protection Equipment
(PPE).

Figure 1

Figure 2 – LH factory foam inside liftgate assembly;
RH similar

Figure 3 – LH factory foam removed from the liftgate
assembly; RH similar

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Figure 4 – Detailed view of a factory foams removed from the liftgate assembly
5. 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

6. Apply the sealant on top of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the liftgate 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
7. Apply the sealant on the sides and the back side of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the liftgate
assembly (Figures 13–16). 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 15).
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panels (Figure 16).

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Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

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8. Apply the sealant on the bottom side of the LH and RH lamp can panels located inside the liftgate assembly
(Figures 16–20). Apply several sealant beads as needed.
NOTE: Use the dauber in tight spaces (Figure 15).
NOTE: Make sure to apply the sealant between the panels (Figure 20).

Figure 17

Figure 18

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Figure 19

Figure 20

9. Inspect the liftgate assembly seams: Locate openings and pin holes in the highlighted areas (Figures 21–25).

Inspection of the
liftgate assembly
seams areas
highlighted in yellow

Figure 21

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Figure 22

Figure 23 – Example of liftgate assembly seam

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Figure 24 – Example of liftgate assembly seam

Figure 25 – Example of pin hole on the liftgate assembly
10. Use a plastic trim tool to remove any previously applied non-factory sealants in the highlighted areas, if present
(Figures 26–29).
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 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29
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11. Clean the liftgate assembly seams areas with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) wipes (Figures 21 and 22).
12. Apply sealant ONLY on the openings and pin holes found during the inspection (Figures 30 and 31).
CAUTION: Do NOT apply sealant to the entire liftgate assembly.

Figure 30

Figure 31

13. Remove excess sealant with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Allow 1 hour for the sealant to fully cure
(Figures 32–35).
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 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35
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14. Apply sealant on the upper and lower panel mating surfaces for the LH and RH sides (Figures 36–39). 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 39).
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

Figure 38

Figure 39
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15. Remove excess sealant from the upper and lower panel mating surfaces with a clean, dry microfiber cloth
(Figure 40). 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 40
16. Apply touch-up paint onto newly sealed areas (Figure 41–44).
NOTE: Make sure sealant is dry to the touch before touch-up paint is applied.

Figure 41

Figure 42

Figure 43

Figure 44

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17. Inspect the overall condition of the liftgate seal. If the liftgate seal is compromised (Figure 45), replace the seal
(refer to Service Manual procedure 11702002).

Figure 45
18. Put the RH rear fog/reverse light upside down on a padded surface (Figure 46).

Padded surface

Figure 46
19. Remove and discard the gaskets for the RH light connector (Figure 47) and mounting stud (Figure 48), and then
replace them with new ones (Figures 49 and 50).

Figure 47

Figure 48

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Figure 49

Figure 50

20. Repeat steps 18 and 19 for the LH rear fog/reverse light.
21. Install the LH and RH rear fog/reverse lights (refer to Service Manual procedure 17402702).
22. Install the liftgate lower trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111302).
23. Install the liftgate upper trim (refer to Service Manual procedure 15111002).

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