Toyota RAV4 Tail Light Bulbs
Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear
turn signal, reverse or parking bulb in a 4th generation 2013-2016 Toyota RAV4.
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automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and perhaps
also the revised 2017 model year) Toyota RAV4 in changing a burnt
out brake, rear turn signal, reverse and parking light bulb in the
tail light housings. Owners of other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Matrix, Prius, Camry, Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, Avalon, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, IS 250, ES 350, GS 350, tC, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The replacement bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443 or W21/5W, Rear Turn Signal # 7440 or W21W, Parking Light # 194 and Reverse # 921. The only tools required to access and replace the tail light bulbs include a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench and a flathead screwdriver. |
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 Loosen 10mm Bolt |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
 Two Bolts Removed |
| The first two steps
are to open the cargo tailgate door and then move to the side of the vehicle
with the burnt out tail light bulb. Then loosen the two bolts on the inner edge of the tail light housing by turning them counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Set the two bolts aside in a safe place. |
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 Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
 Gently Pry - Outer Edge |
 Turn Over Assembly |
| Gently pull the
tail light housing straight off the rear corner of the SUV.
The tail light assembly is still held in place by a slot attached to the head of a plastic pop rivet. To loosen the friction fastener, carefully pry back on the outer edge of the tail light housing with a screwdriver wrapped in a thin towel or a plastic automotive panel removal tool.
Turn over the tail light housing to access the bulb sockets. |
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 Access Bulb Sockets |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Pull Out Old Brake Bulb |
| The Brake
light bulb socket is located at the top of the outer tail light housing. Rotate the tan colored bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 7443 (or W21/5W) bulb. |
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 Push In New # 7443 |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Rear Turn Signal Socket |
| Re-insert the bulb
socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in
place. The Rear Turn Signal light bulb socket is located at the bottom of the assembly. Rotate the grey light bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the housing. |
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 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Pull Out Old # 7440 Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Pull the old turn
signal bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new #
7440 or W21W
bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 Line Up Slot & Peg |
 Push On Tail Light Housing |
 Tighten 10mm Bolts |
| Line up the slot on
the back of the tail light housing's outer edge with the white plastic
mounting point on the vehicle. Gently push the tail light housing back in to place on the rear corner of the SUV. Re-insert the two 10mm bolts and tighten them in the clockwise direction until they are snug. |
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 Tighten 2nd Clockwise |
 Reverse & Parking Light |
 Plastic Access Panel |
| Try to avoid over
tightening the bolts to prevent from cracking the plastic inner edge of the
tail light housing. The Reverse and Parking Light bulbs are located in a separate housing attached to the cargo tailgate door. Open the tailgate door and locate the square plastic access panel. |
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 Gently Pry Out Cover |
 Access Cover Removed |
 Light Bulb Sockets |
| Insert the blade of
the flathead screwdriver in to one of the two notches on the top edge of the
access cover. Gently pry out the access panel and set it aside in a safe place. |
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 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Pull Out Old # 194 Bulb |
 Reverse Light Bulb Socket |
| The Parking Light
bulb socket is located on the outer edge of the housing. Rotate the small gray bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old parking light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 194 bulb. If necessary, you may also use any other miniature wedge base bulbs such as the # W5W, 2825, 158, 168 or a compatible LED unit. Re-insert the bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Bulb Socket Removed |
 Pull Out Old # 921 Bulb |
| The Reverse
light bulb socket is located at the inner part of the housing. Rotate the larger gray bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 921 bulb. |
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 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Re-Insert Plastic Tabs |
 Pop In Top Edge |
| Re-insert the
reverse bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to
secure it in place. Line up the plastic access panel and re-insert the tabs on the bottom edge. Then gently pop in the top edge of the panel. Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. For more,
check out my other
2013-2016 Toyota RAV4 DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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Be careful and avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking the
front outer corner of the plastic tail light housing.If you found this guide to be helpful,
please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com
"Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
 (Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.) |