🔧 Impreza - Rear Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

Your rear turn signal bulbs sit inside the rear tail lamp assemblies and can be accessed from inside the trunk. Replacing them restores proper signaling and helps you stay safe and legal on the road.

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.
• ⚠️ If bulbs were recently on, let the tail lamp cool 5–10 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Avoid touching the new bulb glass with bare fingers; skin oil can shorten bulb life.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlight
• Trim removal tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear turn signal bulb (amber) - Replace in pairs - 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 remove any cargo so you can work comfortably.
• Have your flashlight ready—seeing the bulb socket clearly makes this much easier.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the rear lamp service area (inside trunk)

• Open the trunk and use a flashlight to look behind the tail lamp area on the side you’re replacing.
• If a small trunk liner cover is in the way, gently pry it back using a trim removal tool (a plastic pry tool used to pop interior clips without damage).

Step 2: Locate the turn signal bulb socket

• Use the flashlight to find the socket going into the back of the tail lamp assembly.
• The turn signal socket is usually one of the larger twist-lock sockets; don’t force anything—make sure you’re turning the socket itself, not pulling on wires.

Step 3: Remove the bulb socket

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Grip the socket and rotate it counterclockwise about a quarter turn, then pull it straight out.
• Tip: Turn the socket, not the bulb.

Step 4: Replace the bulb

• Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.
• Install the new rear turn signal bulb (amber) by pushing it straight in until fully seated.
• If your old bulb has a number stamped on it, match that style exactly when buying (common type is “7440A/7440 amber,” but use what your old bulb shows).

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

• Reinsert the socket into the tail lamp and rotate clockwise until it locks in place.
• Reposition the trunk liner/cover and press it back into place by hand (use the trim removal tool only if needed to align clips).
• Repeat Steps 1–5 on the other rear turn signal so both bulbs match brightness and color.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the ignition to ON and test left and right turn signals.
• Verify the flash rate is normal (a very fast flash usually means a bulb isn’t seated, is wrong type, or a socket isn’t fully locked).
• Walk behind the car and confirm both rear turn signals are bright and amber.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $40-$120 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $6-$20 (parts only)

You Save: $34-$100 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.