Model Y

Tesla looks to be continuing the evolution of its vehicle design, as its Model Y compact SUV now has some slightly modified tail lights.

Recently, users on Reddit had noticed Tesla had started shipping August 2020 Model Y deliveries with new tail lights.

We finally have a video comparison of the ‘old’ and new Model Y tail lights thanks to Reddit user Cocoa_Linguine, who took delivery of the latter with VIN 39XXX.

The user video shows the new updated Model Y tail light with a casing where the red appears to be brighter, while the turn signal now flashes in amber instead of red, as seen below:

“Took delivery of Vin 39xxx. Side note, car does include updated tail lights which are beautiful,” said the user earlier this week. In describing the new Model Y tail lights, the user says they look like they are slightly less tinted versus earlier versions. This is for a Model Y delivered in Los Angeles, California, in the USA.

Some have speculated the change might be to meet European Union standards for amber turn signals instead of red. The Model Y is expected to be produced at Giga Berlin.

You can check out the video below in 720p and see the differences yourself:

Model Y updated tail light comparison. from r/teslamotors

Tesla also recently redesigned its frunk inside the Model 3, making it slightly smaller, adding speculation a heat pump may make its way into future iterations of the electric vehicle.

Update: Here’s a new video from the same Reddit user showing the Model Y tail lights illuminated. The old version of this on the Model Y had the brake light as the inner LED bar, same as the turn signal on U.S. cars. But now, you can see the brake light is the whole outer part of the housing, looking like the letter “C”, while the LED bar inside for the turn signal is now amber. The more visible brake light will definitely make it easier for other drivers to see new Model Y builds now, to go with the amber turn signal colour.

Model Y updated taillights Part 2- Illuminated. from r/teslamotors

Here’s another video of /Cocoa_Linguine’s Model Y and the new tail lights at night:

Tesla Model Y – Exterior Lights from r/teslamotors

Early Tesla Model Y owners have been voicing concern about the vehicle’s build quality and more recently, some are complaining about annoying ‘popping sounds’.

“What’s causing this popping sound? It’s driving me crazy! Need help,” writes u/bizarroJames on Reddit. The sound in the video shared is a weird popping sound that is hard to exactly pinpoint.

What’s causing this popping sound? It’s driving me crazy! Need help from r/TeslaModelY

Three other Tesla Model Y owners chimed in on the Reddit thread to voice they also experienced the popping sound, which appears to coming from behind some plastic covering, near the passenger sun visor area. The popping sound is loudest on curvy two lane roads.

As for a possible fix for this popping sound in the Tesla Model Y?

“I have this exact same sound. I noticed that if I roll the passenger window down a fraction it stops, so for me it’s the window rattling at the top or in the door at the bottom. Already had my first service appointment scheduled and added this to the list. Hope it’s an easy fix,” added ‘cbdnola’.

Another user, ‘ReshKayden’ said they also had the popping issue but it was fixed by a Tesla technician, who noted, “Found the passenger side mirror assembly to be popping when driving or rough roads or flexing the body. Adjusted the mirror assembly and insulated the mounting points to correct concern.”

As for other Model Y strange sounds, other owners on the TMC Forums noted back in June of ‘crackle sounds’ at low speeds.

In this particular situation, it turns out the crackling noise was coming from aero wheel covers on the Model Y Long Range AWD Gemini wheels. Removing the wheel covers did fix the noise for most owners complaining about this scratching sound.

Are you experiencing any popping sounds or strange noises in your Model Y?