Toyota
Highlander Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a brake, turn signal or
reverse bulb in the tail lights of a 2nd generation 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander.
 2013 Highlander Tail Light |
 Cargo Area Access Panel |
 Pry Out Access Cover |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the second generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 &
2013) Toyota Highlander in changing a burnt out brake, rear turn
signal or reverse bulb in the tail light assemblies. Owners of other Toyota or Scion SUV, minivan, or hatchback vehicles with similar tail light housings such as the Yaris, Prius, RAV4, Sienna, FJ Cruiser, Venza, 4Runner, Sequoia, xB, xD and iQ may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443, Rear Turn Signal # 7440A (also WY21W or 7440NA) and Reverse # 921. The only tool needed to change the tail light bulbs is a flathead screwdriver used to pry out the plastic access panel. |
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 Access Cover Removed |
 Brake Light Bulb Socket |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
| The first two steps
are to open the rear cargo tail gate door and then move to the side of the
SUV with the burnt out bulb. Pry out the rectangular plastic access cover at the top edge with a flathead screwdriver. Set the cover aside in a safe place. The tan colored plastic Brake light bulb socket is located at the center of the assembly. Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Old # 7443 Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
| Pull the old bulb
straight out of the socket and push in a new dual filament #
7443 bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. The grey plastic Turn Signal bulb socket is located at the top of the assembly. Rotate the base of the socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Old # WY21W |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
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| Pull the old bulb
straight out of the socket and push in a new amber colored # WY21W bulb. You may also use the # 7440A or 7440NA bulbs. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. The Reverse bulb socket is located at the bottom of the tail light assembly. |
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 Pull Out Old # 921 Bulb |
 Re-Insert 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 Reverse Bulb Socket Secured |
| Rotate the smaller
grey plastic reverse bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise to unlock it and
then pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 921 bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 Line Up Access Cover |
 Pop In Retaining Clips |
 Test New Tail Light Bulbs |
| Line up the plastic
access panel and re-insert the tabs on the bottom edge first. Then gently pop in the top edge of the panel. Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. For more, check out my other
Toyota Highlander DIY Repair Guides. |
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