🔧 Sedona - Taillight Bulb Replacement

You’ll remove each outer taillight housing, swap the bulb(s), then reinstall the housing so the seals stay water-tight. This fixes dim, flickering, or burned-out rear lights and keeps you legal and safe at night.

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

Assumption: you’re replacing the outer left/right tail/brake bulbs (not reverse or liftgate-mounted bulbs).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the lights OFF and remove the key before starting.
• ⚠️ Let bulbs cool before touching them (they can get hot).
• ⚠️ Don’t pinch the wiring harness when reinstalling the lamp.
• ⚠️ Make sure the foam/rubber seal sits flat to prevent water leaks.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Plastic trim removal tool
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear tail/brake light bulb - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and shift to Park.
• Open the liftgate so you can access the taillight fasteners.
• Lay a towel on the bumper edge to protect paint if the lamp slips.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the taillight fasteners

• Open the liftgate and locate the taillight assembly on the body side (left or right).
• Use a flashlight to find the mounting screws along the inner edge of the lamp (visible with the liftgate open).

Step 2: Remove the taillight assembly (one side)

• Use a Phillips screwdriver #2 to remove the taillight mounting screws.
• Use a plastic trim removal tool to gently pry at the lamp edge if it’s stuck.
• Pull the lamp straight rearward to release the alignment pins/clips. Pull straight back, not sideways.
• Torque to 2.5 Nm (22 in-lbs) when reinstalling these screws.

Step 3: Remove the bulb socket

• Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise by hand to unlock it, then pull it out of the housing.
• If the harness is short, support the lamp with one hand so it doesn’t hang by the wiring.

Step 4: Replace the bulb

• Wear work gloves and safety glasses.
• Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push the new bulb straight in until fully seated.
• If your bulb is a wedge-base type, it simply pulls/pushes in (no twisting). Seat it firmly.

Step 5: Reinstall the socket and taillight assembly

• Insert the socket back into the housing and twist clockwise until it locks.
• Line up the lamp’s locating pins with the body holes, then push the lamp straight forward until fully seated.
• Reinstall the screws with a Phillips screwdriver #2 and torque to 2.5 Nm (22 in-lbs).

Step 6: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 1-5 for the other taillight so both bulbs match in brightness and color.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the headlights on and verify both taillights illuminate evenly.
• Press the brake pedal (or have a helper press it) to confirm both brake lights get brighter.
• Check that the lamp sits flush with the body and the seal isn’t folded.
• Recheck the area after the next rain or car wash for any moisture inside the lens.

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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.