Tesla has issued a new Service Bulletin offering a free upgrade to the High-Voltage (HV) battery seal system on select Model S and Model X vehicles. The bulletin applies to vehicles built between January 2021 and September 22, 2022, and is aimed at improving the battery’s resistance to water ingress during flooding events.
Interestingly, the bulletin only applies to vehicles in the United States and Europe, and not Canada.
According to the Service Bulletin, SB-25-116-002 and dated May 5, 2025, the upgrade involves replacing all five flood port plungers in the vehicle’s HV battery system. These plungers were originally designed to allow internal moisture to escape, but as a result could be vulnerable to allowing external water to enter the battery enclosure if submerged during a flooding event.
With this in mind, the plunger has been redesigned with components that are “more robust against external ingress due to submersion during flooding or other similar high-severity abuse instances,” Tesla explains in the bulletin.
Tesla regularly issues Service Bulletins such as these to guide its service technicians in addressing known issues in specific vehicles. These bulletins, common across the automotive industry, provide instructions for repairs but are not classified as recalls. The key distinction is that service bulletins are not mandated by safety regulators like Transport Canada or the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
However, like a recall, this Service Bulletin will be performed at no cost to owners. The upgrade is covered under the HV Battery Limited Warranty, but even if a vehicle is outside that warranty window, Tesla will complete the work under a goodwill policy.
Tesla has begun notifying affected owners via a message through the Tesla mobile app that their vehicles are in the queue to receive the upgraded parts. Once the components become available at their local Service Center, owners will receive a notification asking them to schedule a service appointment.
Ummm thank you Tesla….now, which car? pic.twitter.com/TP0zGqUGmB
— Rhys Samson (@samsonusmc) May 6, 2025
In the meantime, Tesla recommends that all owners—regardless of make or model—take precautions during flood events. If flooding is imminent or occurring, drivers should move their vehicle to higher ground and avoid situations where submersion is likely.
Have you received this notice for your Model S or Model X? Are you in Canada? Let us know in the comments below.
