Hyundai
Tucson Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out tail light bulb
in a third generation 2016, 2017 and 2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV.
2018 Tucson Tail Lights |
Open Tailgate Door |
Plastic Trim Cover |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018 plus the refreshed
2019 & 2020 model years) Hyundai Tucson SUV in changing a burnt
out brake, rear turn signal, reverse, side marker or parking light
bulb in the tail light housings. Owners of other Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles such as the Santa Fe, Kona, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, G80, G90, Stinger, Rio, Forte, Optima, Cadenza, K900, Soul, Niro, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 2357 (or P21W/5W), Rear Turn Signal 1156NA (also 1156A or PY21W), Reverse # 921 (or W16W), Parking Lights # 2357 (or P21/5W) and Side Marker # 168 (or W5W). The tools needed to access and replace the tail light bulbs include a small plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket with a short extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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Pry Off Trim Panel |
Trim Cover Removed |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
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 tail light bulb. Use the plastic pry bar tool to gently pull off the black plastic trim piece located at the inner edge of the tail light housing. Set the trim panel aside in a safe place. Once the cover is out of the way, you'll see the two black plastic screws. |
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Loosen Bottom Screw |
Spin Out Top Screw |
Remove Lower Screw |
Loosen the two screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket, an extension bar and the 1/4" drive ratchet. | ||
Two Screws Removed |
Pull Off Tail Light Assembly |
Pry Along Outer Edge |
Set the two screws
aside in a safe place. Try to pull the tail light housing straight off the rear corner of the SUV. The housing is still held in place by a metal peg inserted into a plastic grommet and a slot attached to the end of a pop rivet. You may need to use the plastic pry bar tool to gently pry along the front outer edge of the housing to release the friction fasteners. |
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Rest Housing On Towel |
Metal Peg & Plastic Slot |
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Slide the housing
off the car and turn it over to access the bulb sockets. I recommend placing a towel on the rear bumper cover to protect the paint and the lens cover from being scratched. The large black bulb socket contains the brake light bulb. Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing. |
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Brake Light Bulb Socket |
Push In & 1/4 Turn CC |
Install New Light Bulb |
Push the old light
bulb down into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise
direction before pulling it straight out of the socket. Push a new number 2357 (also known as # P21W/5W) bayonet style light bulb straight into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. Re-insert the socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. |
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
The large white /
tan plastic bulb socket contains the rear turn signal light bulb. Rotate the base of the socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing. |
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Push Down & 1/4 Turn CC |
Install New Turn Signal |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Push the old turn
signal light bulb down into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the
counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the socket. Push a new amber colored number 1156NA (also known as # 1156A or PY21W) light bulb straight down into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. Re-insert the bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to lock it into place. |
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Pull Off Electrical Connector |
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
For easier access
to the side marker light bulb socket, pull the black plastic wire harness
off its mounting bracket. Rotate the small grey plastic side marker bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out of the housing. Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket. |
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Push In New Light Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Re-Attach Plug To Mount |
Push a new number 168
(also known as # W5W) miniature wedge base light bulb straight into
the socket. If you would like to have brighter rear side marker lights, install some compatible replacement 168 LED bulbs. Re-insert the bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. Push the electrical connector and wire harness back on to its mounting bracket. |
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Line Up Peg & Slot |
Push On Tail Light Housing |
Spin In Two Screws |
Once you have
completed replacing any burnt out light bulbs, hold the tail light housing
near the rear corner of the SUV. Line up the metal peg with the white plastic grommet and the plastic "C" shaped slot with the white plastic pop rivet head on the rear corner of the SUV. Slide the tail light housing back into place. Re-insert the two black metal screws and spin them in a few turns in the clockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded. |
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Tighten Screws Clockwise |
Line Up Friction Fasteners |
Push On Trim Cover |
Tighten the two
screws in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and the 1/4" drive
ratchet. Line up the black plastic trim cover and push it back into place to secure the retaining clips. |
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Separate Tail Light Housing |
Plastic Access Cover |
Insert Pry Bar Tool |
The reverse (or
"back up") and the two parking lights are located in a separate housing
attached to the tailgate door. Locate the rectangular shaped access cover. Insert the plastic pry bar tool into the small notch on the inner edge of the access cover. Or you can use a large flathead screwdriver. |
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Pry Out Access Panel |
Access Cover Removed |
Three Bulb Sockets |
Pry out the access
cover and set it aside in a safe place. Once the cover is out of the way, you'll be able to see the two larger parking light sockets and the smaller reverse bulb socket. |
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Parking Light Bulb Socket |
Push Down & 1/4 Turn CC |
Install New Light Bulb |
Rotate the parking
light bulb sockets 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling
them straight out of the housing. Push the bulbs down into the socket and rotate them 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling them straight out. Push a new number 2357 (or P21/5W) bayonet style light bulb straight into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. |
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2nd Parking Light |
Reverse Bulb Socket |
Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
Rotate the small
grey bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling
it straight out of the housing. Pull the old reverse light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 921 (or W16W). If you would like to have brighter reverse lights, install some compatible replacement 921 LED bulbs. |
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Push In New Light Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Bulb Sockets Replaced |
Re-insert the reverse light bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it into place. | ||
Re-Insert Two Tabs |
Access Cover Replaced |
Test New Tail Light Bulbs |
Line up the access
cover with the opening in the tailgate interior panel. Re-insert the two tabs on the outer edge in first. Then gently pop in the inner edge to secure it into place. To test the new tail light bulbs, have an assistant step on the brake pedal, turn on the parking lights, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. Be sure to record the bulb change in your vehicle's service records. For more,
check out all of my
2016-2018 Hyundai Tucson DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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