Repairing tail lights on a Saturn can cost between $30 and $50 per light case. Depending on the model and trim package of your Saturn, some tail lights could reach into the $100-$150 range. Replacing a tail light is a

car repair

that is simple enough to complete at home.

Tail lights help prevent risk and accidents on the road by showing other drivers where you are and when you’re stopping—but a burnt bulb or broken lens could change that very quickly. To prevent accidents and keep more money in your wallet, you can learn to replace your Saturn’s tail light in your garage.

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has compiled an article walking you through everything you need to know about replacing a Saturn tail light. Cost, labor, insurance claims, you name it, we’ve covered it all—and we have some tips for you to save on your

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How to replace a Saturn tail light

Cost: $30 to $50 (some up to $150)

Time: 10 minutes

Tools needed: Safety gear (recommended), flat head screwdriver, replacement parts

Difficulty: Easy

Your first step is determining the actual problem with your tail light.

If you’ve backed into something recently, then it should be pretty obvious why you have a busted tail light. If you were pulled over and received a warning from a traffic officer you could either have a fried bulb or a deeper electrical issue.

If you notice that both of your Saturn tail lights are not working, you’ll likely need a fuse replacement. If only one tail light is broken but the brake lights are still working, a burned bulb is most likely the culprit.

If you feel uncomfortable executing this repair at home, take your Saturn to a local repair shop or trusted mechanic.

If you’re feeling comfortable doing the repair yourself, go ahead and order your replacement parts. The item number for any parts you may need will be located in your car’s manual. Make sure to order the correct part based on your Saturn’s model and year.

When the correct parts arrive, gather your tools and safety gear before moving through the following steps to replace a tail light on the following Saturn models:

Saturn Sky

Always remember to disconnect the battery before any repairs.

Place masking tape around the actual tail light cover to minimize paint chipping.

Open the trunk.

Locate the two 7-mm screws near the tail light and remove them.

Pull up on the higher corner of the tail light, run your finger under the bottom middle portion, then push down on said high corner, and pull the taillight out of the grommet.

Rotate the bulb socket a quarter turn to get access to the bulb.

Replace the bulb.

To replace the tail light into its position, follow these steps in reverse. Make sure the tail light snaps into position with the tricky grommet.

Saturn Ion (2003-2007)

Always remember to disconnect the battery before any repairs.

Open the trunk.

Use a T-10 torx driver to remove the three screws near the tail light.

Remove the tail light.

Remove the bulb from the socket by making a 90 degree counterclockwise turn.

Pull out the bulb and replace it gently.

To replace the entire tail light, remove all bulb sockets and install the new components.

To put parts back into place, follow these steps in reverse order.

Don’t forget to hook up your battery before running the car again.

Key Takeaway Replacing a Saturn tail light is pretty simple and requires a screwdriver or T torx driver, depending on your model.

Common reasons for Saturn tail light malfunctions

It’s pretty simple to diagnose a broken tail light, especially at night. A wild baseball, runaway bike, or a small fender bender can all be the cause of a broken tail light. If you’re not sure how your tail light was broken, you may want to look into these other options:

Dead bulb: If only one light is burned out, it’s most likely a burned-out bulb.

Faulty wiring or fuses: You could have a wiring issue if the problem isn’t corrected simply by replacing the bulb.

Damaged socket: Moisture can cause corrosion in the socket. Look for any evidence of this when changing the bulb.

Broken control switch: Tail light problems can be as far away as the control switch. If you’ve ruled out all other options, your mechanic will check the control switch next.

MORE: Does financing a car affect insurance rates?

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?

Car insurance would cover your Saturn’s broken tail light—but it may be smart not to file a claim on such a simple repair.

If collision and/or comprehensive coverage is included within your car insurance policy, you could get coverage for a broken Saturn tail light.

Collision coverage

covers most repairs caused by a collision with another vehicle or stand-still object.

Comprehensive coverage

kicks in if there has been proven vandalism or damage caused by a natural disaster.

Like most types of insurance, car insurance policies also have deductibles. Fixing your Saturn Sky or Saturn Ion tail light could cost you anywhere from $30-$50 for the tail light bulb and cover. The average car insurance deductible is $500, meaning your claim would hardly benefit you should you file one.

MORE:

Does car insurance cover busted tail lights?

How to find affordable Saturn insurance

On average, car insurance for Saturn drivers costs $1,375 annually—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find more savings.

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How much does it cost to replace a Saturn tail light?

The cost to replace a Saturn Ion tail light or Saturn Sky tail light averages between $30 and $50. Look up your Saturn’s replacement part item numbers in your user manual to better estimate the cost of an at-home replacement.

Can you replace tail lights yourself?

Replacing your Saturn’s tail lights is one of the easiest car maintenance tasks, and it doesn’t require any special tools. A simple mistake won’t cause any serious damage or safety issues to your vehicle.

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