2007 Tail light removal instructions

[msoengineer]

Long story short the top layer lens cracked on my left tail light. You can't replace just the lens it's all one complete assembly as others have mentioned in other posts.

I decided to take a few pictures to help out others.

Tools you will need-
1-10mm 2" long socket and wrench plus 3" extension
2- Smaller width flat blade screw driver.
3- Strong fingers
4-Gentle Touch

Steps to reach tail light assembly (mine was the driver side tail light).
1-Fold Down the rear seats
2-Remove the privacy trunk blind bar
3-Remove three seperate 10mm bolts as shown in pictures:

Pull the silver toggle out once you pull the bolt






Inside that hole is a super long bolt-Use the wrench extension here




4-Pull the trim away from the car to expose the hidden retention clips and pull out the clips:





5- Pull the plastic trim apart:
5a- Start in the back


5b- Pull down and out in the middle:



5c- Pull back, down and out at this area. I grabbed where the shade slides into- this will require extra force:


6-Remove the trunk light wiring clip:


7-Un-clip the tail light harness using a small width flat head:


8- now that everything has been separated from the wall you can pull/push the carpeting away from the tail light assembly and remove the two bolts for the tail light using the 2" long 10mm socket:

Bottom Bolt


Top Bolt


Tada- now just push the assembly out from the inside and put the the new one in place.

Follow the steps in reverse to put it all back together.

Remember to be gentle yet firm when you pull all this stuff apart. I've pulled off trim in the past and it takes some finesse and skill to not break stuff.

This should be a 15 minute job to do .
It cost me $165.00 to get a replacement assembly from my buddies auto body shop.

I used my cell phone to take these pictures so I apologize if they may be poor quality

Feel free to PM me with any questions/issues.

Tom

[seasalsa]

Don't apologize about the pictures, great info.
Thanks

[notmyrealname]

Dear msoengineer- I had a small break in my driversside taillight that I had patched with clear ducttape and it was just fine. But my 07 didn't pass inspection (FY TiresPlus PA). TP wanted $350 to replace it. Well, thanks to Your excellent instructions I ordered the part on Ebay for $130 and replaced it myself! Took this girlie about an hour; first repair I ever attempted. Thank you so much, I did not break anything in the process and it was a great boost of self-confidence. Bless you dude!

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by notmyrealname

Dear msoengineer- I had a small break in my driversside taillight that I had patched with clear ducttape and it was just fine. But my 07 didn't pass inspection (FY TiresPlus PA). TP wanted $350 to replace it. Well, thanks to Your excellent instructions I ordered the part on Ebay for $130 and replaced it myself! Took this girlie about an hour; first repair I ever attempted. Thank you so much, I did not break anything in the process and it was a great boost of self-confidence. Bless you dude!

Well done notmyrealname and thanks to the OP for posting this thread.
PriusChat has saved me thousands of dollars, it really has. Thanks everyone!

[zinndeadly]

MSO

just wanted to say thanks for your clear explanation and pictures...thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge....Got my replacement tail assembly on EBay for $110 and installed it in under 20 minutes!!!

be easy

Zinn

[splunge]

Thanks a bunch for the great article.

I was able to replace a broken driver's side brake light; however now the turn signal the light itself doesn't work! Any ideas how to troubleshoot this problem?

Thanks in advance.

[vertex]

The turn signal is a regular bulb. Make sure that it is good, and properly installed.

[splunge]

Originally Posted by vertex

The turn signal is a regular bulb. Make sure that it is good, and properly installed.

Gah. Yeah. I replaced the part and forgot to install all of the other light bulbs. Once I did that it works like a charm.

Thanks for the pointer.

[krg03]

Originally Posted by msoengineer

Long story short the top layer lens cracked on my left tail light. You can't replace just the lens it's all one complete assembly as others have mentioned in other posts.

I decided to take a few pictures to help out others.

Great job. Another "how to" to add to my list.

[Speedwing]

Bought a new unit on E-Bay to replace my cracked lens (parking lot tap, crack and run). Thanks for the write-up and pics. My passenger side replacement went very smoothly.
BOB