Tesla issued a repair bulletin for possible minor oil loss from the rear drive unit breather on some 2024 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The bulletin, SB-24-40-008, describes an inspection and repair procedure; it is not, by itself, a legal admission of blame or a safety recall.
What Tesla’s bulletin says
In service bulletin SB-24-40-008, dated October 15, 2024, Tesla states: “Some Performance Model 3 vehicles might experience minor oil loss through the Rear Drive Unit (RDU) breather during high lateral acceleration cornering maneuvers.” The described source is the breather, not a confirmed failure of every rear drive unit.
Tesla’s stated scope is approximate: 2024 model-year Model 3 Performance vehicles built in Fremont for North America. The bulletin cautions that this description does not establish applicability to an individual car. It should not be generalized to all Model 3s, other Performance model years, or vehicles in other markets. Ask Tesla service to check your VIN or vehicle profile against the bulletin. Read Tesla bulletin SB-24-40-008.
What the repair involves
The bulletin directs service to relocate the rear drive unit breather following a customer complaint or when oil stains are found on the rear aero shield during service. If symptoms are present, Tesla’s procedure also calls for draining and refilling the RDU oil. The relocation may be performed at a customer’s request even if the inspection has not first found symptoms.
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The work is for trained professionals, and the bulletin says it is unavailable through mobile service. Do not treat the procedure as a generic owner repair: Tesla’s service manual warns that use of fluids not approved by Tesla is at the repairer’s risk and that resulting damage is not covered under the stated new- or used-vehicle limited warranties. Tesla Model 3 service manual fluid guidance.
Bulletin labor times are not a price quote
The NHTSA-indexed copy lists 2.10 labor hours for breather relocation and 2.64 labor hours for relocation plus draining and refilling the RDU oil when loss is observed. These are service-operation labor entries, not a consumer price, billable estimate, or prediction of total appointment time. The listed service parts include 1870429-00-F and 1101758-00-A; a fill/drain plug is also listed if needed. NHTSA-indexed bulletin copy.
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What to do if you see oil staining
- Contact Tesla service and describe the staining or suspected oil loss; ask them to check your VIN for SB-24-40-008.
- Arrange inspection through a service location. The bulletin requires trained professionals and does not permit this repair through mobile service.
- Ask whether oil loss or other symptoms were observed and whether the drain-and-refill step applies, since the bulletin calls for it when symptoms are present.
Oil staining is a reason to request an inspection, not enough on its own to confirm that this specific condition is the cause. The bulletin does not provide a public incidence rate or a count of affected vehicles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is this a recall or an admission of liability?
No such conclusion follows from the bulletin alone. It documents a possible condition and a repair path, but the available bulletin does not establish a formal legal admission or identify the work as a recall. Tesla’s recall page explains the free remedy for vehicles included in a recall; that general policy does not make this repair bulletin a recall. Tesla recall information.
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