How to Replace Hyundai Tail Lights
You don’t have to go to the shop to repair your Hyundai’s tail lights—instead, try this easy repair at home
Written by Jessie Devine
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Replacing the tail lights in your Hyundai will cost around $7 if you just need a bulb and up to $90 if the whole casing needs replacing. You can do the replacement yourself to avoid taking your car to the shop and paying more for labor costs.
Whether you have an
Elantra
, a Sonata
, or a Veloster
, you can change your tail lights yourself. Tail lights are a small but critical car part used to signal to other drivers when you’re changing speeds. Keeping them working will prevent accidents and keep you from getting pulled over for a faulty light.Car insurance
expert app Jerry
is here with everything you need to know about Hyundai tail lights. If your lights aren’t working, read on to find out how to replace them and what it will cost.Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
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How to replace a Hyundai tail light
Cost: $6 to $10
Time: 5 to 20 minutes
Tools needed: Goggles, safety gloves, screwdriver, wrench, replacement parts (like bulbs)
Difficulty: Easy
If your tail lights are out, first you need to figure out why. Maybe you’ve found your Hyundai Sonata tail lights not working seemingly overnight or your Hyundai Elantra lights seem to be dull. Luckily, the cause is usually pretty easy to sort out.
The most common cause of tail lights not working is a burnt-out bulb. This is the cheapest and easiest fix, so start there.
If both tail lights have gone out, or if your turn signals are also affected, you may be looking at an issue with a fuse or a wiring problem.
If none of these seem applicable, you can take your Hyundai to the shop to get an expert opinion.
For this guide, we’ll focus on the most common reason for Hyundai tail lights not working—a burnt-out lightbulb. First, look up a replacement part number for the bulb. Remember that parts can vary based on your Hyundai’s model, year, and trim level, so make sure you’ve got the right one.
Once you’ve collected everything you need, do the following:
- Disconnect the battery. Working with electrical systems always carries a risk of shock unless the battery is disconnected.
- Access the tail light assembly. In most Hyundais, you’ll need to open the trunk and remove the cover to access the tail light assembly.
- Next, if you have an Elantra, you’ll need to disconnect the electrical wire and remove three 10mm nuts that hold the assembly in place. If you have a Sonata, you won’t have to do this to remove the assembly.
- Remove the bulb socket by turning it left or counterclockwise. In an Elantra, you’ll hear a click.
- Remove the faulty bulb.
- Swap out the faulty bulb for a new one. It’s a good idea to wear gloves because the glass is prone to oil and smudging. Handle carefully to avoid breakage!
- Reinstall the tail light assembly in reverse order of how you removed it.
- Reconnect the battery and test your new Hyundai tail light.
Faulty bulbs are the top reason for Hyundai tail lights not working, but if you have a broken tail light assembly, you’ll have to replace the whole thing. Access it the same way you would above, remove it by unscrewing all fasteners, and replace it with a new one.
Key Takeaway If your Hyundai tail lights aren’t working, you can replace the bulb at home in just a few minutes.
Commons reasons for Hyundai tail light malfunctions
Maybe you backed into a tree (oops) or someone rear-ended you at a stoplight. In those cases, it’s pretty obvious why your tail lights aren’t working. But if your Hyundai tail light mysteriously died, it could be for one of these reasons:
- Dead bulb: As we covered above, a dead tail light bulb is a very common reason for your Hyundai’s tail lights not working. A key sign is if only one tail light is out.
- Faulty wiring or fuses: If changing the bulb doesn’t cut it, or both lights (and maybe turn signals) are affected, it could point to a wiring issue or a broken fuse.
- Damaged socket: Moisture can cause corrosion in your tail light sockets, which will stop them from working. When you replace the bulb, check for discoloration or build-up in the socket.
- Broken control switch: If none of the previous seem to be the case, you could be looking at a broken control switch. Take your car to the shop if you’re not sure.
Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?
Depending on the cause, your car insurance policy might cover your Hyundai’s broken tail light, but you’re probably better off not filing a claim.
If you have
collision coverage
, it will cover repairs caused by a collision with a stationary object or another car—including broken tail lights resulting from a crash. Comprehensive insurance coverage
might also cover you if your broken tail lights are the result of vandalism or an “act of God” like a fire or hailstorm. So why wouldn’t it be a good idea to use your insurance for this repair? Because for insurance to pay for anything, you first have to pay your entire deductible.
The average
car insurance deductible
is $500, and even in the shop, a tail light repair usually costs a little over $100. For example, if your 2013 Hyundai Elantra tail lights aren’t working, you’ll pay around $102 to repair for parts and labor, while a 2011 Hyundai Sonata tail light replacement costs around $101.So, if you do
make an insurance claim
for tail lights that aren’t working, you probably won’t see a cost reduction, and you may even see an insurance premium hike as a result of having filed a claim. Unless your tail light replacement is part of a much larger repair, it’s usually better to replace your tail lights at home or pay for them out of pocket.
MORE: What is a no-claims bonus on car insurance?
How to find affordable Hyundai insurance
Hyundai drivers pay around $1,993 per year for full-coverage
car insurance
—but Jerry
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow much does it cost to replace a Hyundai tail light?
The cost to repair Hyundai tail lights will depend on your model and whether you do the replacement yourself or take it into the shop.
However, you can usually expect this repair to cost between $6 (for replacing the bulb at home) and $106 (for getting it done in the shop).
Can you replace tail lights yourself?
Definitely! Even if you’re not an experienced mechanic, replacing your Hyundai tail lights is a simple repair. It’s a great maintenance task for beginners because it’s hard to do it incorrectly, and making a mistake won’t usually cause lasting damage.
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