Tesla Offers Free Battery Seal Upgrade for Model S and X to Boost Flood Protection

Tesla’s Latest Upgrade Boosts Flood Protection for Model S and X Owners

If you drive a Tesla Model S or Model X, you might soon get a helpful upgrade—completely free. Tesla has started notifying select owners that their vehicles are in line for a battery seal enhancement designed to better protect the high-voltage (HV) battery during floods or severe weather.

This move is part of Tesla’s proactive maintenance strategy and could offer peace of mind to drivers living in flood-prone areas.

What’s the Upgrade?

Tesla is offering to replace the flood port plungers on certain 2021–2022 Model S and X vehicles. The new parts are more robust and better at keeping water out during flood situations. While the upgrade won’t make the car waterproof, it does improve the seal integrity and reliability of the battery system in extreme conditions.

The upgrade won’t be available through Mobile Service—you’ll need to visit a Tesla Service Center once you receive an in-app notification.

Here’s what Tesla had to say in its notice:

"This enhancement is designed to optimize seal integrity over time and improve the performance and reliability of our battery in incidents of high severity flooding."

They also included an important reminder:

“We recommend that you move your vehicle to high ground (if safe to do so) and avoid exposure to submersion. This guidance applies to all electric vehicles.”

Who’s Getting It?

Tesla isn’t rolling this out to everyone. So far, only select owners have received the notification through their Tesla app. Based on shared service bulletins, the targeted vehicles were built between January 2021 and September 22, 2022.

The upgrade won’t cost anything, but there’s no need to act yet. Tesla will notify eligible owners when the new parts are available locally.

Why It Matters

Flooding events have become more frequent and unpredictable. While no EV is flood-proof, added protection for the battery—the most expensive and essential part of the car—can mean fewer repairs and a longer lifespan. It’s a smart move by Tesla and another example of how software and hardware upgrades continue to add value after the vehicle leaves the factory.