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2014-2019 Toyota Highlander Tail Light Replacement

If your taillight bulb for the 2016 Toyota...

iFixit Library 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander Easy 15 - 25 minutes Guide 167037

Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

If your taillight bulb for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited is not working or needs to be replaced, just follow this guide to replace the taillight bulb and ensure your safety while on the road. Before starting the replacement process of the taillight bulb, make sure that the vehicle is turned off and in parked position.

Step 1

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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There are 2 panels on both the left and right sides of the trunk, depending on which taillight bulb needs to be replaced.
The panel to replace the left taillight bulb should look like this, and have a small opening located on the top right
And the panel for the right-side taillight bulb should look like that, having a small opening on the top left.

Step 2

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the panel, or both if replacing both taillight bulbs, by using a flat head screwdriver or a plastic spudger and putting it in the small crack in-between the trunk and the panel.
Lift the panel up from the side you put the flat head screwdriver in. Use some force to pull the rest of the panel off completely.

Step 3

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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There are 2 bulbs inside the panel: the taillight bulb is the one above the reverse light bulb.
The lower bulb, which is for the reverse light.
The bulb that is above the reverse light is for the taillight bulb. Which is what we are looking for to replace.

Step 4

Repair step

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Remove the taillight bulb from the hole, by grabbing the bulb and twisting it counter-clockwise.
Pull it out when you hear a click.
The hole from which you pull the taillight bulb out of should have a red glow inside, so that is how you can tell if you have pulled the right bulb out.

Step 5

Repair step

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Take out the bulb by gently pulling it out of the plastic it is currently in.

Step 6

Repair step

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Take the new taillight bulb and just slide it back into the plastic holder.
Ensure that the bulb doesn’t move around loosely or fall. Otherwise, it has not been put back properly.

Step 7

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Insert the new bulb back into the hole of the panel, by inserting it into the hole and turn it in the clockwise (towards the right) direction until it locks into place.

Step 8

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

To put the panel back, put the 2 clips at the bottom of the panel into the locks.
Put the middle clips into their place, you will hear a click when the middle two clips are in place.
Put the top 2 remaining clips of the panel into their locks.
Once you get the bottom 2 clips in their locks, all the other clips will start to align with their lock locations. Once all clips are in their locks make sure to push in the panel to ensure it is locked in completely.