🔧 Legacy - Rear Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

Your Legacy’s rear turn signal bulb sits inside the outer tail light housing and can usually be changed from inside the trunk. You’ll remove a small access cover, twist the bulb socket out, swap the bulb, then test the signal.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.3-0.8 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key before working near wiring.
• ⚠️ Let the tail light area cool if the lights were just on.
• ⚠️ Don’t touch the new bulb’s glass with bare fingers; skin oils can shorten bulb life.
• ⚠️ If you use a metal tool near the battery area in the trunk, avoid shorting anything.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Flashlight
• Plastic trim removal tool
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• 10mm socket
• 1/4" ratchet

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear turn signal bulb (7440 amber) - Qty: 2 Replace in pairs.
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1
• Trim panel clips (assortment) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Open the trunk and remove any cargo so you can work comfortably.
• Tip: Use a flashlight to spot the correct socket.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the tail light service opening

• Open the trunk.
• On the side you’re replacing, locate the trunk liner access door/cover behind the tail light.
• Use a plastic trim removal tool to pop the cover open (or remove fasteners with a Phillips screwdriver #2, if equipped).

Step 2: Remove the rear turn signal bulb socket

• Look into the opening and find the turn signal bulb socket (it’s a twist-lock socket going into the tail light housing).
• Grip the socket and rotate it counterclockwise about 1/4 turn, then pull it straight out by hand.
• Tip: Turn gently; don’t force the plastic.

Step 3: Swap the bulb

• Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket by hand (this is a “wedge” bulb, meaning it’s held by friction).
• Install the new 7440 amber bulb by pushing it straight into the socket until fully seated.
• If you have it, apply a tiny smear of dielectric grease to the socket seal (a rubber O-ring) to help keep moisture out.

Step 4: Reinstall the socket and test

• Insert the socket back into the tail light housing.
• Rotate clockwise about 1/4 turn until it locks.
• Turn the ignition to ON and activate the turn signal (or hazards) to confirm the bulb works and flashes normally.

Step 5: Refit the trunk trim

• Reinstall the access cover and any clips/screws you removed using the plastic trim removal tool or Phillips screwdriver #2.

Step 6 (If you can’t reach the socket): Remove the tail light assembly

• Peel back/remove more trunk liner as needed using a plastic trim removal tool.
• Remove the tail light retaining nuts with a 10mm socket and 1/4" ratchet.
• Carefully pull the tail light straight rearward to release the alignment pins, then access the socket(s).
• Reinstall the tail light and tighten the nuts evenly until snug. Tip: Overtightening can crack the lamp.

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✅ After Repair

• Verify left and right rear turn signals flash at the normal rate (fast flashing usually means a bulb isn’t working or isn’t seated).
• Check that the bulb socket is fully locked and the trunk access cover is secure to prevent water leaks.
• Do a quick walk-around: tail lights, brake lights, reverse lights, and hazards.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$140 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $50-$110 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.8 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.