Paul's Travel Pictures

Honda Pilot Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear turn signal or reverse light bulb on a 2nd generation 2009 to 2015 Honda Pilot.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-001
2012 Pilot Tail Light Housing
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-002
Open Tailgate Door
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-003
Loosen Top Bolt

This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Honda Pilot SUV in changing a burnt out brake, rear turn signal or reverse light bulb in the tail light assemblies.

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

The replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443 (or W21/5W), Rear Turn Signal # 7443 (or W21/5W) and Reverse # 921 (or W16W).

The tools needed to remove the tail light housing and access the bulbs include an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet (or a Phillips head screwdriver) and a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool.



 
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-004
Loosen Counterclockwise
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-005
Two 8mm Bolts Removed
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-006
Pry Along Outer Edge
The first two steps are to open the tailgate door and then move to the side of the SUV with the burnt out tail light bulb.

The tail light housing is held in place by two bolts on the inner edge.

Remove the two bolts by turning them counterclockwise with an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench or you can use a Phillips head screwdriver.

The tail light assembly is still held in place by two metal pegs or "spikes" that act as friction fasteners in plastic grommets on the rear corner of the SUV.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-007
Loosening Metal Pegs
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-008
Pull Off Tail Light Housing
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-009
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Try to pull the tail light assembly straight off the rear of the vehicle.

If you have trouble removing the tail light housing, gently pry along the outer edge with a plastic automotive panel removal tool to release the two metal pegs.

Try to avoid using excessive force to prevent from cracking the tail light housing.

Pull off the tail light and turn it over to access the bulb sockets.

The Rear Turn Signal light is located at the top of the housing.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-010
Turn Signal Bulb Socket
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-011
Pull Out Old Bulb
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-012
Push In New # 7443 Bulb
Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

Carefully pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.

If you have trouble removing the old bulb, I'd recommend putting on a pair of gloves before attempting to remove it again just in case the bulb shatters.

Push a new # 7443 or W21/5W bulb straight in to the socket.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-013
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-014
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-015
Brake Light Bulb Socket
Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The Brake Light is located at the center of the tail light housing.

Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.



 

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-016
Pull Out Old # 7443 Bulb
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-017
Push In New W21/5W
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-018
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 7443 or W21/5W bulb.

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

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-019
Reverse Bulb Socket
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-020
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-021
Pull Out Old Light Bulb
The Reverse (or "Back Up") light is located at the bottom of the tail light housing.

Rotate the small grey bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 921 or W16W bulb.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-022
Push In New # 921 Bulb
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-023
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-024
Line Up Spikes & Grommets
Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Line up the two metal pegs or "spikes" on the back outer edge of the housing with their corresponding plastic grommets on the rear corner of the SUV.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-025
Push On Tail Light Housing
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-026
Tighten Two 8mm Screws
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Tail-Light-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-027
Test New Tail Light Bulbs
Carefully push the tail light assembly back in to place.

Tighten the two 8mm bolts in the clockwise direction until they are snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the two bolts 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, 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, please check out my other 2009-2015 Honda Pilot 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.)

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