🔧 HR-V - Taillight Bulb Replacement

You’ll remove each outer taillight assembly, swap the bulbs, then reinstall and test all rear lights. On your HR-V, some rear functions may be LED (not a replaceable bulb), but the turn signal and reverse lights are typically serviceable bulbs.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the light switch OFF and remove the key before starting.
• ⚠️ Let bulbs cool before touching them (they can burn you).
• ⚠️ Don’t touch new bulb glass with bare fingers (oil shortens bulb life); use gloves.
• ⚠️ Pull the lamp straight back to avoid breaking the locating pins/clips.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 1/4" ratchet
• 6" socket extension
• Torque wrench (in-lb or low Nm)
• Plastic trim clip tool
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Clean rag

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear turn signal bulbs (7440 amber) - Qty: 2
• Reverse light bulbs (921) - Qty: 2
• Rear tail/stop bulbs (7443) - Qty: 2 (only if your taillights use bulbs, not LED)

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧼 Lay a clean rag on the bumper edge to prevent scratches while you work.
• 🔍 Open the hatch and locate the taillight fasteners on the inside edge of each taillight.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the taillight fasteners (one side at a time)

• Use the plastic trim clip tool to pop off the small access cover (if equipped). A trim clip tool is a plastic pry tool that helps remove panels without scratching.
• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.

Step 2: Remove the taillight assembly

• Use a 10mm socket, 1/4" ratchet, and 6" extension to remove the taillight mounting nuts/bolts on the inside edge.
• Hold the lamp with your other hand, then pull the taillight straight rearward to release the locating pins.
• Wiggle gently; don’t pry the paint.

Step 3: Remove the bulb socket(s)

• Turn the correct bulb socket counterclockwise by hand and pull it out of the housing.
• If you’re unsure which socket is which, identify by bulb type:
  • Reverse bulb is typically a clear bulb (often 921).
  • Turn bulb is typically amber (often 7440 amber).

Step 4: Replace the bulb

• Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket (no twisting for these wedge-style bulbs).
• Install the new bulb fully into the socket using gloved hands.
• If you accidentally touch the glass, wipe it with a clean rag before reinstalling.

Step 5: Quick test before reinstalling the lamp

• Reinsert the socket into the lamp and twist clockwise to lock by hand.
• Turn the ignition to ON and test:
  • Turn signals (left/right)
  • Reverse lights (have a helper hold the brake and shift to R)
• If a new bulb doesn’t light, remove it and rotate it 180° in the socket, then retest.

Step 6: Reinstall the taillight assembly

• Line up the locating pins, then press the lamp straight forward until it seats flush.
• Install the mounting nuts/bolts using the 10mm socket and 1/4" ratchet.
• Torque to 5 Nm (44 in-lbs) using a torque wrench (in-lb or low Nm).
• Reinstall the access cover using the plastic trim clip tool if needed.

Step 7: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 1-6 for the other taillight.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Verify all rear lighting: tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, hazards, and reverse lights.
• ✅ Make sure both taillights sit evenly and there are no gaps (helps prevent water leaks).
• ✅ If you still have an outage and your HR-V uses LED for that function, the LED unit may not be bulb-serviceable.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15-$40 (parts only)

You Save: $105-$180 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.