Tesla Model S Facelift DRL Failure: Why the Top DRL Turns Yellow Before It Stops Working

The facelift Tesla Model S features a distinctive LED headlight design with a signature Daytime Running Light (DRL) layout. This DRL system is made up of two separate sections:

• The top DRL segment
• The side DRL segment

While they appear as one continuous light signature, they are built and wear differently over time — which is why failures often affect only part of the DRL.

The Most Common Issue: Top DRL Yellowing and Failure

In most Tesla Model S facelift headlights we repair, the issue starts with the top DRL segment.

Unlike sudden failure or flickering, the degradation typically follows a gradual pattern:

• The top DRL begins to turn yellow
• The yellow tint becomes more noticeable over time
• Brightness gradually reduces
• Eventually, the top DRL stops working completely

Meanwhile, the side DRL usually continues to operate normally, leaving an uneven light signature across the headlight.

Why the Top DRL Fails First

The yellowing and eventual failure of the top DRL is caused by long-term LED and optical degradation inside the headlight unit. Common contributing factors include:

• Continuous heat exposure inside the housing
• LED phosphor aging over time
• High daily usage of DRL systems
• Thermal stress concentrated in the upper DRL section

The first visible sign is almost always colour shift (white to yellow), followed by a gradual drop in brightness.

Why the Side DRL Usually Still Works

The DRL system is split into separate segments, and they do not always share the same failure points.

In most cases:

• The top DRL is more thermally stressed
• The side DRL remains stable and functional
• Only part of the DRL signature is affected

This is why many vehicles appear to have “half-working” daytime running lights.

Do You Need a Full Headlight Replacement?

In most cases, no.

Tesla often recommends complete headlight replacement, but DRL failure is usually limited to internal LED components rather than the entire assembly.

If your side DRL is still working and only the top section is affected, a full headlight replacement is often unnecessary.

Our Tesla Model S Facelift DRL Repair Solutions

We offer two dedicated repair options depending on the condition of your headlight:

1. Top DRL Repair Kit

This kit is designed specifically for headlights where only the top DRL segment has turned yellow or stopped working.

It allows you to:

• Restore bright white colour to the top DRL
• Fix partial or complete top DRL failure
• Retain your original side DRL without replacement

This is the most common repair option for Tesla Model S facelift headlights.

2. Complete DRL Repair Kit (Top + Side)

For headlights where both DRL sections are affected, or where owners want to fully refresh both sides of the light signature, we offer a complete repair solution.

This kit is designed to:

• Repair both top and side DRL segments
• Restore full uniform brightness across the entire signature
• Eliminate colour mismatch between sections
• Return the headlight to a fully consistent factory appearance

How to Identify Which Kit You Need

A quick check can help determine the correct solution:

✓ Only top DRL yellow or failed → Top DRL Repair Kit
✓ Both top and side DRL degraded or mismatched → Complete DRL Repair Kit

If you are unsure, you can send us a photo of your headlight and we can help confirm the correct repair option.

Restore the Original Tesla DRL Appearance

Whether the issue is limited to the top segment or affects the full DRL signature, both repair kits are designed to restore the clean, sharp white light that defines the Tesla Model S facelift design — without the need for full headlight replacement.