The tail light is an essential part of vehicle signaling and safety systems. Without it, we are hardly visible, especially at night. That pulls many safety issues for us and other drivers on the road. If you notice a broken tail light, immediately address that problem.
So, how much does it cost to fix a tail light? It all depends on the measure of the damage to the light itself. If the problem is in the bulb, that can cost you up to $10, but if the whole tail light needs to be replaced, it can go up to $2000.
But stop worrying about this problem, and read the rest of the article first. There are a lot of problems that can be easily and cheaply solved. Also, we will talk about DIY options for all apprentice mechanics out there.
Is It Illegal To Drive With A Broken Tail Light & Cover?
Usually, a police officer will write a ticket to the driver with a broken tail light. According to the law, the light should be red; if the cover is broken, it will glow in white light. You will probably not have a problem if the cover is only cracked.
If you notice that the cover damage is excessive, be sure to replace it as soon as possible if the problem is in the wiring and the electronics, it also should need fixing.
Key Takeaway: Any problem with the signal light is a safety problem for the driver and drivers around him. On top of this, there is a problem with the law and tickets.
Average Cost of Tail Light Repair
The cost of the repair of the brake lights depends on the type of problem. We will mention the most common problems with a tail light and how much it would cost to resolve them:
- Tail light cover cost: The parts should cost between $50 – $120. The labor costs can be between $75 and $180, depending on the place where you live
- Tail light wiring: This problem can be fixed for an hour or so, and the materials will cost between $15 and $35. The labor cost is around $75
- Tail light bulbs: Tail light bulbs, depending on the manufacturer and type of the bulb, can cost between $4 and $6
- Tail light lens: The term is sometimes used for the light cover, but it is a part in which the bulbs are placed. Replacing the lens can cost between $150 and $800
- Tail light socket: A socket failure can happen if moisture penetrates the installations. Also, bad wiring can cause a socket to fail. Socket replacement can cost between $5 and $20
- The fuse: If you have a problem with a bad fuse, you can replace it for between $5 and $50. If the whole fuse box is faulty, that will end up with $50 to $100 in expenditures.
Cost Comparison Between Dealership and Independent Repair Shop
The price difference between a dealership and an independent repair shop for the new tail light assembly is around 10%. The table shows several different car models and the price for tail light bulb replacement.
| Car Model | Honda Odyssey 2010 | Dodge Charger 2016 | Dodge Journey 2016 | Acura RLX 2016 | Audi Q7 2015 | Porsche Cayenne 2015 |
| Parts cost | $9.95 | $14.52 | $11.19 | $2.27 | $469.00 | $13.06 |
| Labor cost | $94.99 | $94.99 | $94.99 | $94.99 | $94.99 | $94.99 |
| Average Dealer Price | $117.45 | $122.02 | $118.69 | $109.77 | $112.19 | $120.56 |
| Independent mechanic price | $105.00 | $110.00 | $106.00 | $97.00 | $100.00 | $108.00 |
DIY Tail Light Repair
Learning these practical skills is great for saving a lot of money. Besides that, you will be able to learn a lot about car electronic and mechanical systems. That way, you may end up learning a lot of helpful skills.
Check Out Is Your Tail Light Broken? Here’s How Much It Will Cost You to Repair:
Tools and Materials Needed for DIY Repair
If you are handy in using tools, replacing or repairing a tail light is an operation you can do yourself. This is a list of basic tools needed to do this:
- Safety glasses
- Screwdrivers (prepare a couple with different heads and sizes)
- Wrenches, sockets, and a ratchet
Steps for DIY Tail Light Repair
The process of replacing or repairing is similar for most cars. Consulting the owner’s manual will certainly help you, and we will go through the process step by step:
- When working with electricity, the first thing to do is to turn off the electrical current by unplugging the battery.
- Depending on the car, you can access the taillights through the trunk or the rear hatch. Sometimes, you will need to remove the paddings from inside the car. Sometimes you will see the back of the taillights, and in other cases, you will need to unscrew a panel
- Remove the bulb-holding case by turning them clockwise. Be careful when handling bulbs; they are easy to break. Better use safety gloves for this part
- If you need to remove the whole tail light assembly, you need to locate and unscrew the nuts. You may need to lubricate them first with oil or grease. Once you remove the nuts, the assembly should come out easily
- Now, you can change the bulb holding case, and the cover, install a new tail light assembly, fix the wiring, or change the tail lamp bulbs. Everything is accessible
- When you replace or fix anything, try it out. When you are sure that everything is okay, screw everything back.
Cost Savings of DIY Repair
Depending on the problem solved, you can save up between $50 and several hundred dollars on DIY maintenance. Help from a professional mechanic can be a bit pricey, even for the most common problems if you can get help from someone to learn how to do these things, that can be useful in the future. This way, you can save hundreds of dollars in the long term.
Considerations Before Repairing a Tail Light
Driving with a broken tail light is a safety and legal issue. Those are the main reasons why your tail lights should be working properly.
Safety Considerations
Driving without a functioning tail light is a problem for the driver of that car, but also for other drivers. The tail light is an important element of the warning and signaling systems on the car. If the tail light is not working, detecting a car at night can be problematic. Also if the weather conditions are harsh, tail lights can save a driver’s life.
Legal Requirements
After we covered safety considerations, there are also legal requirements regarding a tail light. If your tail light is not working, if the police pull you over, they can charge you with a ticket. Sometimes they will only warn you to fix it, but why risk this situation?
Importance of Proper Installation
Like the rest of the car’s system, proper installation is a top priority. Replacing a bulb is fairly easy, but potential problems can be excessive. If you want to change a fuse, check the diagram before attempting anything. If you are unsure how to handle something, consult an electrician.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Tail Light: FAQs
How Much Does a Tail Light Fuse Repair Cost?
When a new tail light bulb is not working, the problem can be a blown fuse. Replacing a blown fuse can cost between $5 and $50. If even a new fuse is not the solution, the problem can be a fuse box. If that is the case, the cost of replacing the box can rise to $100.
Why does my brake light work but not my tail light?
The most common issue for this citation is a faulty light bulb. Replace the tail light bulb, and that should fix the problem.
Why Is One of My Tail Lights Not Working?
There can be several different causes for a tail light not to work. If the cover is cracked, moisture can penetrate inside the tail light. That can lead to a wiring problem. Sometimes it is just a problem with an old bulb that requires replacement.
Can I Fix My Own Brake Light?
If the problem is in the light bulb, then yes. Fixing the brake lights is the same as the tail lights. First, check the bulb, because usually, it is a problem. If not, check for a blown fuse or some wiring problem.
Will Autozone Replace My Tail Light?
It depends on how much work that would include. If the bulb is easily accessible, they can replace it. If the whole assembly needs to be removed, they recommend you visit a local dealership or a mechanic.
Final Considerations
Repairing a tail light can cost between $4 and $2,000 depending on the parts’ price and labor cost. You can replace a regular bulb for $4, but the whole tail light with labor can cost $2,000.
As soon as you notice that you have a problem with a tail light, try to diagnose the problem. Driving without it is very dangerous, and you can also get a ticket. Think about tail light replacement as an investment in safe driving.
If the problem is minor, like a bulb or a fuse, you can try it yourself. If the problem is a broken or destroyed cover, a wiring installation, or something else, you better consult a mechanic. In every case where you are unsure and safety is an issue, consult a professional.
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