Hyundai
Tucson License Plate Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out license plate
light bulb in the tailgate of a 3rd generation 2016, 2017 and 2018 Tucson.
 2018 Tucson License Plate |
 License Plate Light Housing |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018 plus the refreshed
2019 and 2020 model years) Hyundai Tucson SUV in changing a burnt
out license plate light bulb or upgrading them both to brighter LED
bulbs. 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 miniature wedge base light bulb part number is 2825 (also known as W5W). You could also install a brighter 2825 LED bulb. The only tool needed to access and replace the light is a short or "stubby" Phillips head screwdriver. |
||
|
|
||
 Remove Single Screw |
 Phillips Screw Removed |
 Pull Out Light Housing |
| The first two steps
are to move to the tailgate of the vehicle and locate the two light housings
above the license plate. The procedure for replacing the passenger side of the driver side light housings are the same. Remove the single screw on the outer edge of the light housing by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a Phillips head screwdriver. I found it easiest to use a short Stubby Phillips head screwdriver. Set the black metal screw aside in a safe place. Gently pull the outer edge of the light housing out of the underside of the tailgate door. |
||
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Remove Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
| Rotate the grey
plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before
pulling it straight out of the housing. If the old light bulb was recently turned on, be careful when you remove it. The bulb might still be hot enough to burn your fingers. Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket. |
||
|
|
||
 Old Light Bulb Removed |
 Push In New Light Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| The OEM miniature
wedge base light bulb is marked as a Phillips W5W which is the same as the
2825 bulb. Push a new number 2825 light bulb straight into the socket. If you would like to have brighter license plate lights, install some compatible replacement 2825 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. |
||
 Re-Insert Wires First |
 Push In Outer Edge |
 Replace Single Screw |
| Then re-insert the
wires and the inner edge of the light housing back into the opening on the
underside of the tailgate door. Gently push in the outer edge and hold it in place. Spin in the Phillips head screw a few turns in the clockwise direction by hand. Then tighten the screw with the Phillips head screwdriver until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the screw to prevent from cracking the plastic light housing. |
||
 Light Housing Secured |
 Test New Light Bulb |
 Testing License Plate Lights |
| Double check that
the light housing is securely installed. To test the new light bulbs, press the "Unlock" button on the key fob to re-activate the exterior lights or just turn on the parking lights with the headlights switch. 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. |
||
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.) |