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Toyota Highlander Rear Turn Signal Light Bulb Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out rear turn signal tail light bulb in a 3rd generation 2014 to 2018 Toyota Highlander SUV.

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2017 Highlander Tail Lights
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Open Tailgate Door
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Pry Off Plastic Trim Cover
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and probably also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Toyota Highlander SUV in changing a burnt out rear turn signal bulb in the tail light housings.

Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the 4Runner, Avalon, 86, C-HR, Camry, Corolla, iM, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Yaris, FR-S, xB,  xD, tC, xA, CT 200h, ES 250, ES 300, ES 330, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, RX 300, GS 250, NX 300 and RX 350.

The compatible replacement rear turn signal light bulb part number is 7440A (also known as 7440NA or WY21W).

The tools needed to remove the tail light housing and access the light bulb socket include a plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.



 
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Trim Cover Removed
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Remove Second Screw
The first two steps are to open the tailgate door for the cargo area and then move to the side of the SUV with the burnt out rear turn signal light bulb.

(The brake lights are LED bulbs that should last the life time of the vehicle.)

Use the plastic pry bar tool to gently pry off the plastic trim cover on the inner edge of the tail light housing that was hidden by the tailgate door.

Set the plastic trim piece aside in a safe place.

Once the trim cover is out of the way, you'll be able to see the two bolts that secure the tail light housing to the rear corner of the SUV.

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Spin Out Two Screws
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Two Screws Removed
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Pull Off Tail Light Housing
Loosen the two screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the two screws aside in a safe place.

The housing is still held in place by a slot attached to the top of a plastic pop rivet and also a metal peg inserted into a plastic grommet.

Try to carefully pull the tail light housing straight off the rear of the SUV.

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Pry Bar - Front Edge
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Remove Tail Light Housing
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Pop Rivet Head & Slot
If you have trouble removing the tail light housing, use the plastic pry bar tool to gently loosen the fasteners at the front corner of the housing.

Turn over the tail light housing to access the rear turn signal bulb socket.

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Turn Signal Bulb Socket
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Bulb Socket Removed
Rotate the large grey plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing.



 

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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Push In New Light Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Carefully pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket.

If you have trouble removing the old light bulb, try gently wiggling it back and forth while pulling it straight out.

Push a new amber colored number 7440A light bulb straight into the socket.

(The bulb is also known as part number 7440NA or WY21W.)

Re-insert the bulb socket into the tail light assembly and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise assembly to secure it into place.

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Line Up Slot & Pop Rivet
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Line Up Peg & Grommet
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Push On Tail Light Housing
Hold the tail light housing near the rear corner of the SUV.

Line up the metal peg with the plastic grommet.

Line up the plastic slot with the head of the pop rivet attached to the vehicle.

Slide the tail light housing back into place to secure the peg or "spike" into the grommet and the slot over the cap of the pop rivet.

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Replace Two Screw
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Tighten Clockwise
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Line Up Trim Piece
Replace the two screws by turning them in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic inner edge of the tail light housing.

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Push On Plastic Cover
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Trim Cover Replaced
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Test New Turn Signal Bulb
Line up the plastic trim cover with the inner edge of the tail light housing.

Gently pop the trim cover back into place.

To test the new rear turn signal light bulb, turn on the hazard lights.

Be sure to record the bulb change in your vehicle's service records.

Please check out all of my 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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