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Honda Pilot Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear turn signal or side marker light bulb in a 1st generation 2003 to 2008 Honda Pilot.

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2006 Pilot Tail Light
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Open Tailgate Door
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Loosen Counterclockwise

This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008) Honda Pilot SUV in changing a burnt out brake, rear turn signal or side marker bulb in the tail light housings.

Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Accord, Civic, Crosstour, CR-V, CR-Z, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, ILX, TSX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX, NSX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443, Rear Turn Signal # 7443 and Rear Side Marker # 168.

The tools needed to access and replace the light bulbs include a Phillips head screwdriver or an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and maybe also a plastic automotive pry bar tool.



 
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Loosen Bottom Screw
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Two Screws Removed
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Pull Off Tail Light Housing
The first two steps are to open the tailgate and then move to the side of the SUV with the burnt out tail light bulb.

Locate the two screws along the grey plastic inner edge of the tail light housing.

Remove the two screws by turning them counterclockwise with either a Phillips head screwdriver or an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the two screws aside in a safe place.

The tail light housing is still held in place to the rear corner of the vehicle by two plastic friction fasteners near the outer edge.

Try to pull the housing straight off the rear corner of the car.

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Gently Pry At Outer Edge
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Turn Over To Access Sockets
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Towel - Protect Bumper
If you have trouble removing the tail light housing, use a plastic automotive pry bar tool along the inner edge to loosen the two friction fasteners.

Try to avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking the tail light housing. The housing should pop off relatively easily.

Place a towel down on the bumper to protect the paint and the plastic tail light lens cover.

Turn over the tail light housing to access the three bulb sockets.

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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Turn Signal Bulb Socket
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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
The yellow / tan colored plastic rear turn signal bulb socket is located at the top of the housing.

Rotate the base of the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise 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 # 7443 Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Push a new number 7443 bulb straight down in to the socket.

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

The small grey plastic rear side marker bulb socket is located near the outer edge of the housing.

Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.



 

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Side Marker Bulb Socket
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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Push In New # 168 Bulb
Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 168 bulb.

If you would like to have brighter side marker lights, choose a compatible 168 LED bulb.

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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Brake Light Bulb Socket
Re-insert the side marker bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 clockwise to secure it in place.

The large grey plastic brake light bulb socket is located at the bottom of the housing.

Rotate the brake light bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the assembly.

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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Push In New # 7443 Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 7443 bulb.

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

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Line Up Two Plastic Pegs
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Push On Tail Light Housing
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Tighten Screws Clockwise
Line up the two plastic pegs or "spikes" on the back side of the housing near the outer edge with their corresponding grommets on the rear corner of the SUV.

Gently slide the tail light housing back in to place.

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Tighten Second Screw
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Tail Light Housing Replaced
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Test New Tail Light Bulbs
Replace the two screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver or an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet.

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

To test the new tail light bulbs, have someone step on the brake pedal, turn on the parking lights and activate the hazard signals.

For more, check out all of my 2003-2008 Honda Pilot DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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