How to Replace Infiniti Tail Lights

Infiniti tail lights can easily be replaced in your own garage with some basic tools and following some simple steps.
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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Replacing your Infiniti’s tail lights requires some basic tools and a $40 to $160 investment, depending on the make and model of your car. This repair is easy enough to do at home and will keep costs low.  
We’ve all seen that one car driving without its lights on. Needless to say, driving with defunct tail lights is dangerous, especially at night, and it can result in a ticket if you’re caught by a cop. No matter the model of your car, replacing your tail lights is a cheap and easy way to maintain your vehicle’s safety and avoid potential tickets—which could increase your
Infiniti insurance costs
.
That’s why
car insurance
comparison app
Jerry
created this helpful guide to walk you through the ins and outs of replacing the tail lights on your Infiniti. With a few simple tools and some patience, you can easily replace your Infiniti’s tail lights in your own garage. 
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How to replace Infiniti tail lights 

Cost: $40 to $160
Time: 20 minutes
Tools needed: Safety glasses, gloves, 8 mm socket wrench, flathead screwdriver, replacement parts 
Difficulty: Easy
Tail lights are typically made from multiple bulbs working together. So, no matter your Infiniti model, identifying the bulbs that needs to be replaced is an important first step to assessing the problem. 
Let’s say both tail lights are out and/or the brake lights aren’t functioning, then you likely have a wiring problem on your hands. If you’re suspecting that this might be the culprit, a visit to a certified mechanic will be your best option for diagnosing and repairing more complex wiring issues. 
When only one bulb is burnt out and the brake lights are still working, you likely just need to replace the dead bulb.
Once the faulty parts have been identified, use your owner’s manual to look up the part number—this will help you order the correct part for your vehicle. When placing your order, make sure the part corresponds with your Infiniti’s model, model year, trim level, and engine type.
No matter your Infiniti’s model, it’s recommended that you use a cloth while handling bulbs to reduce fingerprints or oil smudging the glass.
Before you begin, take a look at the back of your car. Depending on whether the lights that are out are built into the body of your car or attached to the door of your trunk, the process will vary. 

Steps for replacing tail lights on an Infiniti QX80

Infinitis typically have LED lights that generally will not burn out on its own, and you’ll need to replace the entire housing. Additionally, it could be an issue with the fuses, so be sure to check those as well.
If you’ve checked the fuses and determined that the bulb still needs to be replaced, the process to replace the tail lights on an Infiniti QX80 is easy to follow given time and a little patience: 
  • Begin by prying off the black plastic assembly panel attached to the tail light 
  • Once this panel is removed, turn the bolts counterclockwise to remove them and access the bulb housing 
  • This next step requires some caution so you don’t scratch the car’s paint—remove the bulb house by pulling it outwards. A panel puller will be your best option for removing this piece if you have one 
  • Since the tail light housing uses LED lights, you will need to replace all of the bulbs. To do so, turn the large circular cover at the back of the tail light counterclockwise to disconnect it
  • Once the cover is removed, pull out the wire to disconnect the bulb housing 
  • Twist the bulbs counterclockwise one at a time to remove them 
  • Grab your new bulbs and install them by twisting them clockwise into the bulb housing. 
  • You’re nearly there—reinstall the tail lights in reverse order, starting with twisting the back in the bulb housing and replacing the cover 

Steps for replacing Infiniti G35 tail lights 

For an Infiniti G35, the process is a little different since the tail lights are attached to the trunk:
  • Begin by opening the trunk. This will allow you to access and disconnect the tail light. 
  • Remove plastic trim that runs along the bottom edge of the trunk. Don’t be afraid to use some force—this piece should be tightly inserted but should easily snap off when enough force is applied 
  • Grab your flathead screwdriver and remove the internal clips holding the carpet in place. You can then pull the carpet down
  • Using your 8 mm socket wrench, remove the three nuts holding the tail light in place. Two of these nuts are located close to where the carpet clips were removed. The third nut is in a small hole by the reverse light 
  • Locate the white box on the inside of the tail light—this is the power connector
  • Once you’ve located the power connector, use a screwdriver to decompress the rectangular clip on the headlight side of the connector. You now can pull the section apart, disconnecting the power connector piece 
  • Now, you can pull the tail light frame out
  • Remove the bulbs from their sockets and replace them with new bulbs. Make sure that they are secured by twisting the new bulbs back into their sockets 
  • You’re nearly there—reinstall the tail lights in reverse order, starting with replacing the tail light frame and reconnecting the power connector

Commons reasons for Infiniti tail light malfunctions

The reason for a broken tail light can be obvious at times. Maybe you accidentally backed into a pole or a rouge baseball broke the tail light. If you’re still at a loss, there are some other problems that are harder to spot that could be causing the malfunction:
  • Dead bulb: Your tail light could be out for a reason as simple as this. The telltale sign of a dead bulb is if the problem is only in a single light.
  • Broken wiring or fuses: If the problem extends to more than one light, the issue might be caused by damaged wiring or a defective fuse. If you suspect that this is your problem, the best move is to visit an auto mechanic who can help you determine why the
    electrical components aren't working
  • Damaged socket: The tail light sockets can be damaged by accumulated moisture. To check for damage to the socket, keep an eye out for discoloration or residue build-up when you’re replacing the bulb. 
  • Broken control switch: In some cases, the problem could be located in the control switch. If you’ve considered the other mechanical issues and are still at a loss, this could be your culprit. A visit to the auto mechanic can diagnose and address this mechanical problem. 
MORE: How to clean foggy headlights

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights? 

It depends. Depending on your insurance coverage, damage caused to your Infiniti’s tail light might be covered. However, it is generally not recommended to use your insurance coverage for this repair.
Collision coverage
and/or
comprehensive coverage
might have you covered for a broken tail light. However, it is important to know that your
car insurance deductible
must be met for your insurance to apply. If you’ve met your deductible for the year, then using your insurance is a good route. 
However, if you have not met your deductible, forgoing your insurance is often the best call when it comes to tail lights. Replacing tail lights yourself will save you money in most cases since the replacement cost is very affordable.  
When it comes to Infinitis, the average cost to replace a tail light ranges from $40 to $160, including parts and labor. Compared to the average car insurance deductible of $500, you’ll be saving yourself anywhere from $340 to $460 by not filing for an insurance claim! Your total savings can be even lower if you opt to replace the broken tail light yourself.
If you’re still not convinced, it’s important to consider that your insurance rate might increase if you submit a claim. Even if the insurance claim is only for a broken tail light, it is common to see an increase in your annual rate. A general rule of thumb is that tail light replacements and repairs are best paid for on your own dollar. 

How to find affordable Infiniti insurance

Infiniti drivers can expect to pay an average of $2,128 per year on
car insurance
. However, this price can vary depending on the make and model of your car—and your driving history, age, location, and credit score will also impact your annual rate.
No matter your Infiniti model, it is hard to find the best and
cheapest insurance coverage
at the same time. That’s where
Jerry
comes in. This car insurance comparison app is the easiest and most effective way to find savings on
Infiniti insurance costs
.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
 “I was struggling because I wanted great insurance for my new car.
Jerry
was so helpful, and the team answered all of my questions. Now I have the policy type I was looking for!” —Avery W.
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FAQs

On average, the cost to replace an Infiniti tail light ranges from $40 to $160, depending on your car’s make and model. For specific prices, it is best to check out the Infiniti site or other car part dealers to discover what you might owe.
Yes! Replacing Infiniti tail lights requires some basic tools, plenty of time, and some patience. This maintenance is perfect for beginners since it does not require extra tools and parts.
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