🔧 Regal - Taillight Bulb Replacement

You’ll access each taillight from inside the trunk, remove the lamp’s bulb socket, and swap the bulb. This restores rear running/brake visibility and helps prevent tickets and rear-end accidents.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

Assumption: your Regal uses replaceable rear bulbs; match the new bulb to the old bulb’s number.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the lights OFF and let bulbs cool before touching them.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves—bulbs can be hot and glass can cut.
• ⚠️ Don’t touch a new halogen bulb’s glass with bare fingers (skin oils can shorten bulb life).
• ⚠️ Support the taillight as you pull it out so it doesn’t scratch paint.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3" socket extension
• Trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty)
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Torque wrench (inch-pound) (specialty)
• Flashlight
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Taillight bulb (match the number on your old bulb, commonly 3157/3057) - Qty: 2
• Dielectric grease (optional) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the trunk and remove any cargo so you can work comfortably.
• Have a flashlight ready so you can see behind the trunk liner.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the back of the taillight

• Open the trunk and locate the trunk side liner behind the taillight.
• Use a trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) to pop out the liner fasteners (a trim tool is a plastic pry tool that removes clips without damaging them).
• Peel the liner back enough to see the taillight mounting studs and bulb sockets.

Step 2: Remove the taillight assembly (outer body lamp)

• Use a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and 3" socket extension to remove the taillight retaining nuts.
• With one hand supporting the lamp outside, gently pull the taillight straight rearward to release the alignment pins.
• Wiggle gently; don’t pry on paint.

Step 3: Remove the bulb socket

• Turn the correct bulb socket counterclockwise by hand to unlock it.
• Pull the socket straight out of the housing.
• If your socket is tight, use a nitrile gloves grip and wiggle—don’t force it.

Step 4: Replace the bulb

• Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket (most are push-in style).
• Install the new bulb by pushing it straight in until fully seated.
• Match the bulb type by reading the number printed on the old bulb base (example: 3157).
• If you have it, apply a tiny amount of dielectric grease (optional) to the socket seal (dielectric grease helps prevent moisture and corrosion).

Step 5: Reinstall the socket and taillight

• Reinsert the socket into the housing and turn clockwise until it locks.
• Align the taillight’s guide pins and press the assembly into place evenly.
• Reinstall the nuts using a 10mm socket.
• Use a torque wrench (inch-pound) (specialty) and 10mm socket: Torque to 4 Nm (35 in-lbs).
• If no torque wrench: snug, not tight.

Step 6: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 1–5 for the other taillight so both bulbs match brightness and color.
• Reinstall trunk liner fasteners using the trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) and your hand pressure.

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✅ After Repair

• Test running lights (headlights ON) and brake lights (press brake pedal).
• Confirm both sides match in brightness and that the bulb isn’t flickering.
• If a bulb doesn’t work, remove it and rotate/re-seat it, then recheck the socket lock.
• If your Regal has LED taillights and there is no removable bulb socket, the fix is typically replacing the taillight assembly, not a bulb.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $10-$40 (parts only)

You Save: $70-$140 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.