Paul's Travel Pictures

Ford Focus Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake / parking, rear turn signal & reverse bulb in the tail lights of a 2011-2014 Ford Focus.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-001
2012 Focus Tail Light
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-002
Open Trunk Lid
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-003
Pull Off Access Panel
This automotive tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation MK III (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Ford Focus in changing a burnt out brake / parking, rear turn signal or reverse bulb in the tail light housings.

Owners of other similar Ford sedan or hatchback vehicles such as the Fiesta, Fusion, Taurus and C-Max may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake / Parking # 3157 or 3157K, Rear Turn Signal # 3757A or 3757AK and Reverse # 921.

No tools are needed to replace the brake or rear turn signal bulbs.

To access the reverse light bulb, you'll need a standard Phillips head screwdriver.



 
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-004
Access Panel Removed
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-005
Black Plastic Thumb Screws
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-006
Rotate Counter Clockwise
The first two steps are to pop open the trunk lid and move to the side of the vehicle with the burnt out tail light bulb.

Then locate the plastic access panel at the rear corner of the trunk.

Gently pull off the panel and set it aside in a safe place.

Behind the panel, you'll see two black plastic thumb screws that hold the tail light assembly in place.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-007
Remove 2nd Thumb Screw
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-008
Thumb Screw Fasteners
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-009
Pull Off Tail Light Housing
Loosen the two thumb screws by turning them counter clockwise and set them aside in a safe place.
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-010
Housing Removed
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-011
Metal Spike & Plastic Hole
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-012
Turn Over Tail Light
The tail light is still held in place by one metal peg or "spike" that is inserted in to a plastic socket on the side of the car.

Gently pull the tail light housing straight off the rear of the vehicle. If you have trouble removing the housing, try wiggling it back and forth while pulling. Do not use excessive force to avoid cracking the plastic lens.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-013
Brake / Parking Socket
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-014
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-015
Remove Bulb Socket
To avoid scratching the plastic lens or the painted bumper, place a towel in between them.

Turn the housing over and rest it on the bumper to access the two bulb sockets.

The dual filament brake and parking light bulb is located at the bottom of the tail light housing.

Rotate the brown brake bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-016
Pull Out Old # 3157 Bulb
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-017
Push In New Bulb
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-018
1/4 Turn Clockwise
Pull the old brake light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 3157 or 3157K bulb.

The 3157 bulb is available from various manufacturers including Sylvania, GE, Philips and Wagner.

Re-insert the socket back in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-019
Turn Signal Bulb Socket
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-020
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-021
Change Old # 3757A
The black plastic turn signal bulb socket is located at the top of the tail light housing.

Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out.

Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new amber colored number 3757A or 3757AK bulb.



 

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-022
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-023
Line Up Tail Light Assembly
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-024
Insert Peg In To Socket
Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place.

Line up the tail light assembly with the corner of the vehicle.

Insert the metal peg in to the plastic grommet on the side of the vehicle.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-025
Push Tail Light On To Car
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-026
Spin On Two Thumb Screws
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-027
Turn Clockwise - Tighten
Push the tail light housing back in to place on the corner of the car.

Move to inside the trunk and spin on the two black plastic thumb screws by turning them clockwise. Tighten the fasteners until they are snug.

Avoid over tightening the thumb screws to prevent from cracking the plastic housing.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-028
Replace Trim Panel
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-029
Test New Light Bulbs
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-030
Reverse In Trunk Lid
Line up the access panel at the rear corner of the trunk and push it back in to place.

The reverse light bulb is located inside a separate housing in the trunk lid.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-031
Carpeted Trunk Lid Liner
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-032
Loosen Plastic Phillips Screw
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-033
Remove Plastic Screw
Open the trunk lid all the way and locate the black plastic fasteners that hold the carpeted liner in place.

Loosen the plastic screw in the center of the fasteners with a Phillips head screwdriver by turning them counter clockwise.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-034
Remove Trunk Lid Fastener
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-035
3 Black Plastic Fasteners
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-036
Pull Back Trunk Lid Liner
Pull out the plastic screw from the center of the fastener and then remove the larger outer piece.

You'll need to remove at least three of the trunk lid fasteners located around the rear of the reverse light housing.

Gently pull back the trunk lid liner.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-037
Loosen Thumb Screw
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-038
Turn Counter Clockwise
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-039
Pull Off Light Housing
Remove the single black plastic thumb screw by turning it counter clockwise. Set the thumb screw aside in a safe place.

Gently pull the reverse light housing straight off the trunk lid.

The housing is also held in place by two metal pegs that act as friction fasteners.

If you have trouble removing the housing, try wiggling it back and forth while pulling.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-040
Turn Over Reverse Housing
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-041
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-042
Remove Bulb Socket
Turn over the housing to access the reverse bulb socket.

Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-043
Pull Out Old Reverse Bulb
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-044
Push In New # 921 Bulb
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-045
1/4 Turn Clockwise
Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 921 bulb.

If you would like to have brighter reverse lights, install some compatible 921 LED bulbs.

Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-046
Push On Reverse Housing
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-047
Tighten Thumb Screw
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-048
Push In Outer Piece
Line up the two metal spikes on the rear of the housing with the holes in the trunk lid. Push the reverse light housing straight on to the trunk lid.

Tighten the thumb screw by turning it clockwise until it is snug.

Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-049
Push In Plastic Screw
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-050
3 Fasteners Replaced
Ford-Focus-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-051
Test New Reverse Bulb
Push in the larger outer pieces of the three trunk lid fasteners first. Then push the black plastic screws in to the center of each fastener to secure them in place.

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 Ford Focus Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info