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Toyota Corolla Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out rear turn signal or side marker light bulb in a 2020, 2021 and 2022 Toyota Corolla.

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2020 Corolla Tail Lights
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Open Trunk Lid
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Black Plastic Cover
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the twelfth generation 2019 (hatchback), 2020, 2021, 2022 (and probably also the 2023, 2024 & 2025) Toyota Corolla sedan in changing a burnt out rear turn signal light bulb or a rear side marker light bulb. (The OEM brake lights are LED bulbs that should last the life time of the vehicle.)

Owners of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles such as the Camry, C-HR, Venza, Avalon, 86, Sienna, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, IS 350, RX 350, UX 200, GS 350, IS 300 and ES 350 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Rear Turn Signal # 7440NA (also known as WY21W) and Rear Side Marker # 2825 (also known as W5W).

If you'd like to have brighter tail lights that will also last much longer before burning out like the traditional incandescent bulbs, install some amber colored 7440NA LED and clear 2825 LED units.

The tools needed to remove the light housing and access the bulb sockets include a plastic pry bar tool, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

The first two steps are to open the trunk lid and move to the side of the vehicle with the burnt out bulb.

Insert the blade of a pry bar tool under the black plastic trim cover on the inner edge of the tail light housing.



 

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Pry Off Trim Cover
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Trim Cover Removed
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Two Black Metal Bolts
Gently pull off the trim cover to release the two retaining clips.

Try to avoid using excessive force. The friction fasteners should pop off relatively easily.

Set the trim cover aside in a safe place.

Once the cover has been removed, you'll be able to see the two black metal bolts that secure the inner edge of the tail light housing in place to the rear corner of the car.

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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Remove Lower Bolt
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Pull Off Tail Light Housing
Loosen the two bolts by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the two bolts aside in a safe place.

The housing is still held in place by a metal peg inserted into a grommet and a slot that slides over a pop rivet button head.

Carefully pull the housing straight back off the car.

If you have trouble remove the housing, try very gently wiggling it back and forth or up and down to loosen the two friction fasteners.

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Light Housing Removed
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Rear Turn Signal Socket
Turn over the tail light housing and rest it on the bumper to access the bulb sockets.

To prevent from scratching the lens cover or the painted bumper, place a towel in between the two surfaces.

The larger grey socket contains the rear turn signal light bulb.

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

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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Old Light Bulb Removed
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Push In New Light Bulb
Warning - If the old light bulbs were recently turned on, they might still be hot enough to burn your fingers!

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

If you have trouble removing the old bulb, try wiggling it back and forth while pulling it straight out.

Push a new number 7440NA (also known as WY21W) amber colored light bulb straight into the socket.

Clean off the new incandescent light bulb with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.

If you'd like to have brighter rear turn signal lights, install some compatible replacement 7440NA LED units.

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1/4 Turn Clockwise
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Rear Side Marker Bulb
Re-insert the bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to secure it in place.

The smaller grey socket contains the rear side marker light bulb.

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

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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Push In New Light Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise
Pull the old miniature wedge base light bulb straight out of the socket.

Push a new number 2825 (also known as W5W) light bulb straight into the socket.

Clean off any grease or oil on the new bulb with a paper towel and rubbing alcohol. If there is any dirt or oil on the new bulb, it could create a hot spot and cause it to burn out prematurely.

If you'd like to have brighter rear side marker lights, install some compatible replacement 2825 LED bulbs.

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

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LED Brake Light
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Line Up Peg & Slot
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Slide On Light Housing
The 12th generation Corolla is equipped with LED brake lights (stop lamps) that should last the life time of the vehicle.

To replace the light housing, hold it near the rear corner of the vehicle.

Line up the metal peg with its corresponding plastic grommet and line up the slot with the pop rivet button head.

Slide the tail light housing straight on to the vehicle.

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Replace Two Bolts
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Tighten Clockwise
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Line Up Trim Cover
Spin in the two bolts a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to make sure they don't become cross threaded.

Tighten the bolts with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until they are snug.

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Push To Secure Clips
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Close Trunk Lid
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Test New Light Bulbs
Line up the black plastic trim cover.

Gently push on the cover to secure the two retaining clips.

Double check that the cover is securely attached before moving on to the next steps.

Close the trunk lid to complete the job.

To test the new tail light bulbs, have an assistant step on the brake pedal, turn on the parking lights (or headlights) and activate the hazard signals.

Tip - If you installed an LED bulb and it doesn't work, try removing it from the socket, rotate it 180 degrees and then push it back into the socket. Some LED bulbs are "polarized" and will only work when the "+" positive and "-" negative electrical contacts are in the correct orientation.

Don't forget to write down the bulb change in your car's service records.

Please check out all of my 2020 Toyota Corolla DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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