If your Dodge Ram tail lights are giving you trouble, you can likely fix the problem by yourself in just a few minutes. A burnt-out bulb is the most common cause of faulty tail lights, and luckily it’s also the cheapest, quickest fix.

If you’re driving a Dodge Ram with a tail light out, you’re at risk of a ticket—or worse, an accident. But luckily, fixing a Dodge Ram tail light is really easy to do at home. You don’t need any specialized tools or knowledge. It’s a great repair for car care beginners!

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How to replace a Ram tail light

Cost: $15-$20

Time: 10 to 30 minutes

Tools needed: Goggles, safety gloves, Torx screwdriver, wrench, replacement parts (like bulbs)

Difficulty: Easy

Step one is to find out why your Ram tail light isn’t working. The most common cause of a tail light going out is a burnt-out bulb. You can usually spot this problem if only one tail light is out.

If both tail lights are out, or if lights beside the brake light are affected, there may be a problem with a fuse, your Ram’s wiring, or the control switch. If you can’t determine the reason, you’ll need to take your truck to the shop so they can figure it out.

This guide will concentrate on the most common cause of Ram tail lights failing—a defective bulb. To begin, search up the bulb's replacement part number.

Remember that even simple parts like light bulbs vary from vehicle to vehicle. Dodge Ram 1500 tail lights will vary from year to year—for example, 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 tail lights will be different from the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 tail lights. Your Dodge’s

trim level

can also affect which part you need, so double-check that you’re buying the right one.

Once you have your bulb, do the following:

Disconnect the battery. You risk getting shocked if you don’t

Open the tailgate and move to the affected side

Remove the two screws that secure the tail light assembly

Pull the tail light assembly straight back until the two snap-post retainers release

Disconnect the wire harness connectors on the back of the assembly

Disconnect the chassis connector from the light socket

Unlock the bulb socket by rotating it counterclockwise

Remove the socket from the unit’s opening

Gently remove the burnt-out bulb

Using gloves to avoid smudging, install the new bulb

Reinstall all parts in reverse order

Test your bulb

Done! Your Dodge Ram tail lights should be working now. If not, you’ll have to check into the other potential causes of tail light failure.

Key Takeaway If one of your Ram tail lights is out, you can replace the bulb by yourself in a few easy steps.

Commons reasons for Ram tail light malfunctions

If you back into something (oops) or someone rear-ends you (ugh), you already know why your tail light isn’t working. But if there’s no visible damage to your Ram tail lights and you’re not sure of the cause, take a look at the following potential reasons.

Dead bulb: Tail light bulbs feature sensitive filaments that burn out quickly. This is most likely the cause if you only have one light out.

Faulty wiring or fuses: If changing the bulb does not help, a wiring or fuse issue may be at blame.

Damaged socket: When exposed to moisture, tail light sockets can corrode—if changing the bulb, look for discoloration and buildup.

Broken control switch: If it isn't one of the reasons listed above, a faulty control switch could be to blame. If you're not sure, take your car to a mechanic.

MORE:

Car loans for Dodge

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?

In short, yes. If you have what's considered

full coverage insurance

, it will more than likely cover your tail light repair—but you shouldn’t use it.

Car insurance covers repairs if the damage was caused by something your insurance policy covers. To clarify, if you have

collision coverage

, your policy will cover broken tail lights caused by a collision. If your broken tail light is the result of vandalism or a natural disaster, you’ll be covered if you have

comprehensive coverage

So if you have coverage, why shouldn’t you use it? Because, in order for insurance to cover something, you must first pay your full deductible. Since the average car insurance deductible is $500, and even in shops, a basic tail light replacement costs roughly $100, your insurance will not cover the damage. You'll have to pay out of pocket regardless, and if you file a claim, your insurance premiums may soar!

MORE:

What is a no-claims bonus on car insurance?

How to find affordable Ram insurance

On average, Dodge Ram drivers pay about $2,636 per year for car insurance—but if you use Jerry, you could be saving around $887.

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

Tail light repairs are pretty cheap. Basically, you’re just paying for the cost of the bulb—which for the Ram, is about $10-$15—and simple tools like a screwdriver if you don’t already have it. If you opt for the shop, you’re looking at around $100 to change a tail light bulb.

Can you replace tail lights yourself?

You can, and you should! This is a simple repair that almost anyone can do. It’s nearly impossible to mess it up, and you’ll save a lot of money by doing it at home.

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