How to Replace Mitsubishi Tail Lights

You can replace Mitsubishi tail lights at home in less than 30 minutes.
Written by Melissa Harvey
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Replacing a Mitsubishi tail light can cost between $10 and $170 per light, depending on the exact replacement needed. By doing these simple repairs yourself, you can keep costs low enough that it’s not worth the hassle to go through insurance. 
Your Mitsubishi’s tail lights keep you safe on the road by helping other drivers see your car. Having a broken lens or a dead bulb could endanger you. Whether you drive an
Outlander
,
Lancer
, or
Eclipse
, you can prevent accidents and avoid tickets by replacing your tail lights. 
Jerry
, the
car repair
expert, has made this helpful guide to help you out through the replacement process. We'll go over the steps to replace your tail lights (including estimated cost) and even look at some ways to optimize your
Mitsubishi insurance costs
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How to replace a Mitsubishi tail light

Cost: $10 to $170
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Tools needed: Safety glasses, gloves, Phillips head screwdriver, replacement parts
Difficulty: Easy
To begin replacing the tail light on your Mitsubishi, you need to first identify the location and the cause of your problem. 
If you backed into the trash can, you should be able to know exactly what caused the damage and what needs to be fixed. However, you’ll need to troubleshoot if you notice that you have a burned-out bulb or received a “fix-it” ticket from law enforcement. 
If both tail lights are out, you may need to have a fuse replaced. On the other hand, if only one tail light is out and the brake lights still work, you may just need to replace the bulb itself.
If you can't figure out the problem, don’t fret about taking your car to your favorite mechanic. A certified mechanic can help you with more complicated wiring problems. 
After identifying the component that needs to be replaced, look up the part number in your owner's manual. You'll need to order the correct part based on your Mitsubishi’s model, year, trim level, and engine type
Once you've gathered your replacement parts, tools, and safety gear, you're ready to start replacing your Mitsubishi tail light casing by doing the following: 
  • Disconnect the battery before you start. This will prevent accidental electrocution. All you need to do is unscrew both cables from the battery—be sure to start with the negative (-) line first
  • Access the light assembly. If you're driving an Outlander or Eclipse, you'll need to pop the trunk to access the light casings. For the Eclipse, you’ll need to remove a 10mm nut from a panel in the trunk to reach the lights. 
  • Remove the bulb socket by turning it counterclockwise (to the left). Be mindful not to pull out the wiring attached to the socket. 
  • Replace the burned-out bulb. You’ll want to wear gloves when handling the new bulb so that you don't leave fingerprints or residue. It’s also good practice to hold the bulb by the metal plug instead of the fragile glass part. You don’t want to shatter your new bulb! 
If you only need to replace the bulb in your Mitsubishi tail light, you’re all set! Just replace the assembly as you removed it and hood your battery back up, and you'll be all set to test your new light. 
If you've shattered your car's light assembly, you have a bit more work to do. You can remove the entire tail light casing by unscrewing all the fasteners and prying it from the rubber grommet. 
Be sure to check if your replacement casing includes bulbs. If not, you'll need to move the old bulbs to the new assembly or purchase replacements. 
Key Takeaway Replacing your Mitsubishi tail light is pretty straightforward—just be sure to order the right part for your specific model and year and grab a Phillips head screwdriver. 

Common reasons for Mitsubishi tail light malfunctions

In some instances, it’s hard to tell why your tail light isn’t working. While the results of a collision may be noticeable, some malfunctions can be harder to spot. 
If you can’t figure out why your tail light isn’t working, consider these potential causes: 
  • Dead bulb: If you have a single light that isn’t working, your solution can be as easy as replacing the bulb. 
  • Faulty wiring or fuses: If replacing the bulb doesn't fix your problem, you could have a wiring issue or a defective fuse. 
  • Damaged socket: Moisture can work its way into your tail light sockets and cause corrosion. When you replace the bulb, look for any signs of build-up or discoloration. 
  • Broken control switch: If you've ruled out all other mechanical issues, your tail light problem may start up at the control switch. 
MORE:

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights? 

Your
car insurance
may cover your Mitsubishi's broken tail light—but it’s often better not to file an insurance claim for this repair. 
If your car insurance policy includes
collision coverage
or
comprehensive coverage
, your provider may cover the repairs for your Mitsubishi’s broken tail light if it was damaged in a covered event. 
Remember that you'll have to meet your deductible before your insurance kicks in. The average car insurance deductible is $500 (significantly more than the average cost of $170 to replace a Mitsubishi Outlander tail light) so you wouldn’t even get a payout for filing a claim in most cases. 
You could also face a potential rate hike by submitting a claim for a broken tail light. So, unless the costs add up to be exceptionally high, it's usually better to pay for tail light repairs out of pocket instead of using insurance. 

How to find affordable Mitsubishi insurance

On average, car insurance for Mitsubishi drivers costs $1,809 a year—but you could pay less than that based on your model, driving record, and other demographics. 
If you want to find the best rates for insurance, just download the
Jerry
app. In 45 seconds, our
trustworthy insurance shopping super app
will find rates from dozens of insurance companies to offer personalized quotes for the lowest yearly rate. 
Jerry's team of experts can help you find the right coverage and discounts, walk you through the sign-up process, and even help you cancel your old policy! 
How much could you save with Jerry? The average user saves over $800 a year on car insurance—almost half the annual cost of Mitsubishi insurance! 
 “
Jerry
brought my insurance deductible down from $2.5k to $1k without me having to switch companies. I even had a ticket on my record. If it can help me, Jerry will definitely help you save money.” —Maxwell N.
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FAQs

While the total cost to replace your Mitsubishi tail lights depends on your model and whether you do the replacement yourself, the average price is between $10 and $170
Look up your Mitsubishi's replacement parts to estimate the cost of an at-home replacement.
Replacing your taillights yourself is pretty easy, and it doesn't take any special tools. This is a great DIY job for those new to car maintenance because if you mess up, you shouldn't cause any significant damage or safety issues.
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