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Chevrolet Sonic Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change the brake, turn signal, reverse and side marker bulbs in the tail lights of a 2012 to 2014 GM Chevy Sonic.

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2013 Sonic Tail Lights
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Open Trunk - Two Screws
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Remove Phillips Head Screw
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 model year) Chevy Sonic in changing a burnt out brake, turn signal, reverse and rear side marker bulbs in the tail light assemblies.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles with similar tail light housings such as the Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Traverse, Tahoe, GMC Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore, Enclave and Holden Barina may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443, Rear Turn Signal # 4157NA or 4157A, Reverse # 3157 and Rear Side Marker # 194.

The only tool needed to change any of the bulbs is a standard Phillips head screwdriver.



 
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Remove Upper Screw
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2 Phillips Screws Removed
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Pull Off Tail Light Housing
The first two steps are to pop open the trunk and move to the side of the vehicle with the burnt out tail light bulb.

Then locate the two screws along the inner edge of the tail light housing that were covered by the trunk lid.

Remove the screws by turning them counter clockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver and set them aside in a safe place.

The housing is still held in place by two metal friction fasteners on the rear of the housing at the outer edge.

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Rest Housing On Bumper
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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
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Brake Light Bulb Socket
Gently pull the tail light housing straight off the rear corner of the vehicle.

If you have trouble removing the tail light, try gently wiggling the housing while continuing to pull it.

To prevent the plastic lens or the painted bumper from getting scratched, place a towel in between the two surfaces.

Turn the housing over and rest it on the bumper.

The black plastic brake light bulb socket is located at the top of the housing.

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

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Pull Out Old # 7443 Bulb
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Re-Insert Brake Socket
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Pull the old brake light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new 7443 bulb.

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



 

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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
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Remove Turn Signal Socket
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Pull Out Old # 4157NA
The tan colored plastic turn signal light bulb socket is located at the center of the housing.

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

Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push a new amber colored # 4157A or 4157NA bulb.

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Re-Install Turn Signal
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1/4 Turn Clockwise
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Reverse Bulb Socket
Re-insert the turn signal socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The green plastic reverse bulb socket is located at the bottom of the tail light housing.

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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
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Pull Out Reverse Bulb
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Old # 3157 Reverse Bulb
Rotate the reverse bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

Pull the old reverse bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 3157 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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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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Line Up Pegs & Holes
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Push On Tail Light Housing
The small black plastic rear side marker light bulb socket is located at the outer edge of the housing near the brake light.

Rotate the side marker socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise to remove it, pull out the old bulb, push in a new # 194 bulb, re-insert the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

You can also use any other miniature wedge base bulb such as the # 168, W5W, 2825 or a compatible LED unit.

Line up the two metal pegs or "spikes" on the outer rear edge of the tail light assembly with their corresponding grommets on the corner of the vehicle.

Gently push the tail light housing back in to place.

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Tighten Phillips Head Screws
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Replace Lower Screw
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Test New Tail Light Bulbs
Re-insert the two Phillips head screws along the inner edge of the housing.

Tighten the screws by turning them clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver until they are snug.

Do not over tighten the screws to avoid cracking the plastic tail light housing.

Test the new bulbs by having someone turn on the parking lights, step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse (with the engine off for safety).

For more, check out my other Chevy Sonic Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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