🔧 HR-V - Rear Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

You’ll remove the rear tail light assembly, twist out the turn-signal bulb socket, and swap the bulb. This is needed when the rear turn signal blinks fast, is dim, or is out.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the lights OFF and remove the key before starting.
• ⚠️ Let bulbs cool before touching; they can be hot.
• ⚠️ Don’t touch a new bulb’s glass with bare fingers; oils can shorten bulb life.
• ⚠️ Support the tail light as you remove it so it doesn’t scratch paint.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Plastic trim panel tool (specialty)
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Small flashlight
• Clean microfiber towel

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear turn signal bulb (amber) - Qty: 1 (or Qty: 2 if replacing both sides)
• Tail light clip(s) / retainer(s) (if any break) - Qty: 0-2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Open the rear hatch for access to the tail light fasteners.
• Lay a clean microfiber towel on the bumper edge below the tail light to protect paint.
• A plastic trim panel tool is a non-metal pry tool used to pop clips without damaging trim.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm the correct side

• Turn the hazard lights ON briefly, walk behind your HR-V, and confirm which rear turn signal is out.
• Turn hazards OFF before disassembly.

Step 2: Remove the rear tail light mounting screws

• Open the hatch and locate the two screws on the inboard edge of the tail light (visible with the hatch open).
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove both screws.
• Set screws aside where they won’t roll away.

Step 3: Release the tail light retaining clips and remove the assembly

• Hold the tail light with one hand.
• Use the plastic trim panel tool (specialty) to gently work the tail light straight rearward to release the locating pins/clips.
• Pull straight back, not outward.

Step 4: Remove the turn signal bulb socket

• Look at the back of the tail light and find the turn signal socket (use a small flashlight if needed).
• Twist the socket counterclockwise by hand and pull it out of the housing.

Step 5: Replace the bulb

• Put on nitrile gloves.
• Remove the old bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out.
• Install the new amber bulb by pushing it straight into the socket until fully seated.

Step 6: Test the new bulb before reassembly

• Reinsert the socket into the tail light and twist clockwise to lock by hand.
• Turn hazards ON and verify the rear turn signal now flashes normally.
• If it still doesn’t work, remove the socket again and re-seat the bulb firmly.

Step 7: Reinstall the tail light assembly

• Align the tail light locating pins with the body grommets.
• Press the tail light straight inward until it sits flush.
• Reinstall the two screws using a Phillips #2 screwdriver and tighten snug (do not over-tighten).
• Remove the clean microfiber towel.

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✅ After Repair

• Verify left and right turn signals and hazards work.
• Make sure the tail light sits flush and doesn’t wiggle.
• If the turn signal “hyper-flashes” (very fast), one of the other turn bulbs may also be out.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $10-$30 (parts only)

You Save: $70-$130 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.