Owners of other Kia, Hyundai and Genesis vehicles such as the Niro, Optima, Soul, Forte, Rio, Stinger, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, Telluride, Sedona, Kona, Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Rondo, Carens, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, Palisade, G70, G80 and G90 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 2357 and Rear Side Marker # 2825 (also known as W5W).

If you would like to have brighter tail lights that will last longer, install some 2357 LED and 2825 LED bulbs.

The tools needed to remove the tail light housing and access the bulb sockets include a small flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool and a Phillips head screwdriver.

The first two steps are to open the tailgate door for the cargo area and then move to the side of the SUV with the burnt out tail light bulb.

Insert the blade of the flathead screwdriver or the plastic pry bar tool into one of the two notches.

Gently pry off the black plastic trim panel and set it aside in a safe place.

Once the cover is out of the way, you'll be able to see the two black metal screws that secure the tail light housing to the rear corner of the SUV.

Remove the two screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Carefully pull the tail light housing straight off the rear of the SUV.

The housing is still held in place by two metal pegs on the back side that are inserted into plastic grommets and also a plastic slot attached to the button head of a plastic pop rivet.

If you have trouble removing the tail light housing, try gently wiggling the housing up and down or left and right while pulling it straight off.

You may want to place a towel on the rear bumper to protect the tail light lens cover and painted bumper from being scratched.

I chose to disconnect the electrical connector for the entire tail light housing and set the housing down in the cargo area.

To disconnect the power plug, push in the release tab and slide the connector straight out of its slot.

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

Carefully pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket.

If you have trouble removing a stuck or stubborn old bulb that might be rusted in place, try gently wiggling it back and forth while pulling it straight out.

If you would like to have a brighter rear side marker light that will also last a lot longer before burning out, install a compatible replacement 2825 LED bulb.

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

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

Push the old bulb down into the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction before pulling it straight out.

The original OEM light bulb was marked as part number KHA12V28/8W.

If you would like to have brighter brake lights, install some compatible 2357 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.

If you disconnected the electrical connector for the tail light housing, push it back into its socket.

Slide the tail light housing back into place.

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

Line up the black plastic trim cover and snap it back into place to secure the retaining clips.

To test the new tail light bulbs, have an assistant step on the brake pedal and turn on the parking lights.

Please check out all of my 2017-2022 Kia Sportage DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.