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Nissan Maxima License Plate Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out license plate light bulb in the trunk lid of a 2016, 2017 and 2018 Nissan Maxima.

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2016 Maxima License Plate
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License Plate Light Housing
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Underside of Trunk Lid
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the eighth generation (2016, 2017, 2018 and maybe also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Nissan Maxima sports sedan in changing a burnt out license plate light bulb in the trunk lid.

Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Altima, Juke, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Murano, Xterra, Pathfinder, Sentra, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, Kicks, NV, NV200, G25, G37, M35 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement miniature wedge base light bulbs part number is 2825 (also known as W5W).

If you'd like brighter lights, you can use compatible 2825 LED bulbs.

The only tool needed to access and replace the bulbs is a flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool.



 
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Pry Out Center of Fastener
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Remove Plastic Pop Rivet
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Pry Out Round Center
The first step is to open the trunk lid.

Then locate the black plastic pop rivet fasteners along the edge of the carpeted trunk lid liner.

There are also two black rubber trunk "bumpers" or "stoppers" that need to removed.

Pry out the smaller round center part of each pop rivet with a small flathead screwdriver to unlock it.

Then pry out the base of the pop rivet from the trunk lid liner.

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Pry Out Trunk Lid Stops
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Second Trunk Lid Stopper
Continue removing the other pop rivets along the outer edge of the trunk lid liner.

Gently pry out the two large rubber pegs that serve as the stops or "bumpers" for the trunk lid.

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Remove Other Pop Rivets
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6 Pop Rivets & 2 Bumpers
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Pull Back Trunk Liner
Set the pop rivets and rubber bumpers aside in a safe place.

I ended up removing six total pop rivet fasteners along the bottom edge of the trunk lid.

Then carefully pull off the carpet trunk lid cover to access the rear of the license plate light housings.

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Plastic Light Bulb Socket
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2nd Bulb Socket
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Gently rotate the grey / tan colored plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.



 

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Bulb Socket Removed
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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
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Old Light Bulb Removed
Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket.

The OEM light bulb was marked as part number W5W.

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Push In New Light Bulb
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Rear of Light Housing
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Push a new # 2825 miniature wedge base light bulb straight into the socket.

If you'd like to have brighter license plate lights, install some compatible 2825 LED bulbs.

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Bulb Socket Secured
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Replace Trunk Lid Liner
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Replace Trunk Lid Bumper
Re-insert the bulb socket into the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it into place.

(Tip - If you are installing an LED bulb and it doesn't work, try pulling it out, rotating the electrical contacts 180 degrees before pushing it back into the socket. Some LED bulbs are polarized and can only be installed in one orientation.)

Push the trunk liner back into place over the opener mechanism.

Push the two rubber bumper pieces back into the trunk lid to hold the liner in place.

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Push In 2nd Bumper
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Re-Insert Plastic Pop Rivet
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Push In Center - Lock
Then re-insert the plastic pop rivets.

Push in the small round center of the pop rivet to lock the pop rivet in place.

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Pop Rivet Secured
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Trunk Carpet Secured
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Test New Light Bulbs
Double check that the pop rivets and the two rubber bumpers are secured in place.

To test the new license plate light bulbs, turn on the headlights or press the "Unlock" button on the key fob to re-activate the exterior lights.

Be sure to record the bulb change in your car's service records.

Please check out all of my 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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