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Nissan Frontier Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear turn signal or reverse light bulb in a 2nd generation 2005-2016 Nissan Frontier.

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2016 Nissan Frontier SV
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Lower Cargo Tailgate
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Top Tail Light Bolt
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation "D40 Series" (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) Nissan Frontier pickup truck in changing a burnt out brake (stop), rear turn signal and reverse (back up) bulb in the tail light assemblies.

Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Navara, Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Pathfinder, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Sentra, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The replacement bulb part numbers are as follows: Brake # 3157, Rear Turn Signal # 3156A (also 3156AK or 3156NA) and Reverse Light # 921.

The tools needed to access and replace the tail light bulbs include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and a plastic automotive pry bar tool.



 
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Loosen Lower Bolt
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Loosen Top 10mm Bolt
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Spin Out Top Bolt
The first two steps are to lower the cargo tailgate door and move to the side of the truck with the burnt out tail light bulb.

There are two bolts that secure the tail light housing to the rear corner of the truck.

Loosen the two bolts by turning them counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. You could also use a Phillips head screwdriver.

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Spin Out Bottom Bolt
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Two 10mm Bolts Removed
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Pry At Outer Edge
Spin out the two bolts and set them aside in a safe place.

Try to pull the tail light assembly straight off the rear of the truck.

The housing is still held in place by a single metal peg or "spike" on the outer edge which is inserted in to a plastic grommet.

If you have trouble removing it, use a plastic automotive panel removal tool to gently pry along the outer edge of the housing.

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Turn Over Tail Light Housing
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Brake Light Bulb Socket
Turn over the tail light housing and rest it on the bumper to access the bulb sockets.

The Brake Light bulb is located at the top of the assembly.

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

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Pull Out Old Brake Bulb
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Old 3157KX Bulb
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Push In New 3157 Bulb
Pull the old OEM 3157KX bulb straight out of the socket.

Push a new # 3157 or 3157K bulb in to the socket.

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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Rear Turn Signal Bulb
Re-insert the brake light bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The Rear Turn Signal light bulb socket is located at the center of the housing.

Rotate the grey plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.



 

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Pull Out of Socket
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Push In New 3156A Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Pull the old OEM 3156AK bulb straight out of the socket.

Push in a new amber (orange) colored # 3156A, 3156AK or 3156NA bulb straight in to the socket.

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

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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Reverse Light Bulb Socket
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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
The Reverse Light (back up lamp) is located at the bottom of the assembly.

Rotate the small grey bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.

Pull the old reverse bulb straight out of the socket.

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Push In New # 921 Bulb
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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Metal Peg & Grommet
Push a new number 921 bulb straight in to the socket.

If you'd like to have brighter reverse lights for extra safety, choose a 921 LED bulb.

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

Line up the tail light housing with the rear corner of the truck.

The metal peg or "spike" along the rear outer edge of the housing needs to be re-inserted in to the hole in the white plastic piece.

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Push On Tail Light Housing
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Spin In Upper Bolt
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Spin In Lower Bolt
Push the tail light assembly straight back in to place until it is flush with the rear corner of the truck.

Spin in the two 10mm bolts by hand a few turns in the clockwise direction to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

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Tighten 10mm Clockwise
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Tighten Lower Bolt
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Test New Tail Light Bulbs
Tighten the two bolts by turning them clockwise with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench or with a Phillips head screwdriver.

Try to avoid over tightening the bolts to prevent from cracking the plastic tail light housing.

Test the new tail light bulbs by having an assistant step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse.

For more, check out my other Nissan Frontier DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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