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Toyota Corolla Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
Pictures illustrated instructions for how to replace the brake, rear turn signal, & reverse light bulbs in a Toyota Corolla.

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Toyota Corolla Tail Light
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Light Bulbs Access Cover
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Remove Fabric Cover
This automotive how-to guide was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth generation (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Toyota Corolla in replacing a burnt out brake, parking / turn signal, or reverse / back-up light bulb in the tail light assembly.

Owners of other Toyota vehicles such as the Camry, Prius, Matrix, Venza, Yaris, and Avalon with similar tail light bulb replacement procedures may also find this guide to be useful.

Replacement tail light bulbs for the '03-'08 Toyota Corolla have the following part numbers: Brake / Stop light bulb # 3157, Parking / Rear Turn Signal light bulb # 3157A, and Reverse / Back-Up light bulb # 921.

No tools are needed to replace any of the bulbs in the tail light assemblies of a 2003 to 2008 Toyota Corolla.



 
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Brake Light - Parking/Signal
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Brake / Stop Light Bulb
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Brake Light - Part # 3157
The first step is to pop open the trunk of the car.

Then locate the square fabric access cover at the rear of each tail light assembly.

Gently pull it off to reveal the brake light and turn signal light bulb sockets.

The higher tan colored socket is the brake light bulb.

The lower white colored socket is the amber rear turn signal bulb.

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Parking / Turn Signal Bulb
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Part # - 3157A Amber
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Reverse / Back Up Light
To remove either bulb, grasp the bulb's socket and turn it 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out from the tail light assembly.

To separate the bulb from the socket, pull it straight out.

Try wiggling if it feels stuck. Replace the brake/stop light bulb with a new # 3157 bulb.

Replace the parking / turn signal bulb with a new amber colored 3157A bulb.

Insert the new bulb attached to the socket back into the tail light assembly and turn it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it.

Test the new bulb(s) by turning on the lights, hazards, and/or having someone step on the brakes. Finally, replace the fabric access cover.



 
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Reverse Bulb Access Cover
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Pry Off Reverse Bulb Cover
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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
To replace the reverse or "back up" light bulb, you'll need to look up underneath the raised trunk lid and locate the rectangular black plastic access cover on each side.

Pry it off gently with your fingers or a flat head screwdriver.

Then rotate the white bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out.

Separate the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out and push in a new # 921 reverse light bulb.

Re-insert the bulb back into the trunk lid, turn it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it and replace the plastic access cover.

Have someone put the car into reverse with a firm foot on the brake pedal to test the new bulbs.

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Reverse/Back-Up Bulb
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Pull Straight Out
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Reverse Bulb - Part # 921

For more, check out my other 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides.

If you have a newer model check out my 2009-2013 Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides.

For more of my automotive how-to guides and product reviews, click on the following links: Toyota Corolla Engine Oil Change, Toyota Corolla Front Brake Pads Replacement Guide, Toyota Corolla Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide, Toyota Corolla Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide, Toyota Corolla Fog Light Bulbs Replacement Guide, Toyota Corolla Dome Light Bulb Replacement Guide, Toyota Corolla Overhead Map Light Bulbs Replacement Guide, Meguiar's Headlight Buffing & Restoration Kit Review, K&N Air Filter Cleaning Guide, WeatherTech FloorLiner Interior Mats Review, Tail Light & Headlight Condensation Repair Guide, Garmin Nuvi 260W GPS Review, Buffing Old Faded Headlights, and Interior Carpet Replacement Guide.
 

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