🔧 Forte - Taillight Bulb Replacement

You’ll replace the left and right rear taillight bulbs from inside the trunk. This restores proper running lights and brake lights and helps you stay legal and visible at night.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.3-0.7 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the lights OFF and remove the key before starting.
• ⚠️ Let bulbs cool 5–10 minutes; they get very hot.
• ⚠️ Don’t touch the new bulb glass with bare fingers; oils can shorten bulb life.
• ⚠️ Support the trunk lid securely so it can’t drop on you.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Plastic trim clip tool
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear taillight bulb (tail/running + brake/stop) - Match the bulb number from your original bulb - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the trunk and clear out cargo so you can access the trunk liner.
• A plastic trim clip tool is a small pry tool used to pop out plastic clips without breaking them.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this bulb swap (just keep the light switch OFF).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the taillight bulb area

• Use a flashlight to locate the trunk liner behind each taillight (left and right sides).
• If your Forte has a small access door/cover, open it by removing fasteners with a Phillips #2 screwdriver.
• If there is no access door, use a plastic trim clip tool to pop out the trunk liner clips near the corner and peel the liner back.

Step 2: Remove the taillight bulb socket

• Find the bulb socket going into the back of the taillight housing (you’ll see a round socket with wiring).
• Hold the socket and twist it counterclockwise by hand to unlock it, then pull it straight out.

Step 3: Remove the old bulb

• Put on nitrile gloves.
• Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
• Read the bulb number printed on the metal base (or plastic base) so you buy/install the exact match.

Step 4: Install the new bulb

• Install the new bulb by pushing it straight into the socket until fully seated.
• Keep fingerprints off the bulb.

Step 5: Reinstall the socket and repeat on the other side

• Insert the socket back into the taillight housing.
• Twist the socket clockwise by hand until it locks in place (snug, not forced).
• Repeat Steps 1–5 for the other taillight.

Step 6: Refit the trunk trim

• Reposition the trunk liner.
• Reinstall any clips using your hands, and any screws using a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn on the parking lights and confirm both rear running lights work.
• Press the brake pedal (have a helper watch, or back up near a wall) and confirm both brake lights brighten.
• If a bulb doesn’t work, remove that socket and make sure the bulb is fully seated and the socket is fully locked.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$150 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $6-$30 (parts only)

You Save: $54-$120 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.7 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.