How to Replace Subaru Tail Lights

Replacing your Subaru tail lights is a job that could take 30 minutes or less. Learn more here.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Replacing Subaru tail lights can cost $80 to $150 per light, depending on the part(s) you need. Many drivers are able to cut
car repair
costs by taking care of the replacement themselves, but a mechanic can also take care of it for you.
Your Subaru’s tail lights help other drivers see your vehicle more easily, especially when visibility conditions are poor. When your tail lights aren’t working, you’re at a much greater risk of getting into a collision.
Luckily, replacing a Subaru tail light assembly is a quick and easy job that many drivers are able to tackle themselves, whether you’re dealing with a 2004
Outback
or a 2019
Forester
Looking for a guide to Subaru tail light replacement?
Jerry
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, is here with just that! Read on to learn more about the steps involved with replacing your tail lights, general costs, and whether your car insurance will cover a broken tail light.
While we're at it, we'll even show you how to save on
Subaru car insurance costs
.
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How to replace a Subaru tail light

Cost: $80 to $150
Time: 10 to 30 minutes
Tools needed: Safety glasses, gloves, Philips head screwdriver and/or socket wrench, replacement part(s), pry tool (optional)
Difficulty: Easy
Before you replace your tail light, it’s a good idea to try to determine how extensive the problem is.
If just one of your tail lights isn’t working, you could just have a burned-out bulb that needs replacing. On the other hand, if both your tail lights are out, you might be dealing with a more substantial issue, like a problem with the wiring, a control switch, or a fuse. 
If you’re worried the problem may be more serious than a tail light replacement, or you just don’t want to replace your tail light yourself, you can have a mechanic take care of your tail light for you.
If you determine your tail light needs to be replaced, you can check your owner’s manual to find the right part number for your Suzuki based on its model, year,
trim level
, and engine type.
When ordering parts, it’s also important to note that some replacement tail light assemblies will come with bulbs, but some won’t.
Before getting started, make sure you’ve given enough time for your bulbs to cool down. Here are the general steps you can take to replace your Subaru tail light:
  • Disconnect the battery first, starting with the negative cable, as a safety precaution to avoid accidental electrocution. 
  • Open the trunk or liftgate and remove the two bolts or clips that hold the tail light assembly in place. Gently pull off the tail light assembly toward the rear of the car, being mindful of where its clips are that hold it in place.
  • Remove the bulb socket by twisting slightly to the left or counterclockwise and pulling it out.
  • Remove the faulty bulb. In most cases, you should be able to pull the bulb straight out.
  • Insert the new bulb.
  • Reinsert the bulb socket into the tail light assembly. 
  • Replace the tail light assembly.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your tail light for proper operation.
To access a liftgate light on vehicles like a 2010-2015 Subaru Outback, you’ll pry away a panel on the inside of the liftgate that will give you access to the tail light bulb sockets. 
Because your tail light configuration will differ depending on your Subaru's model, year, and trim level, you should familiarize yourself with the connections and how they work before proceeding.
To change a 2015 Subaru Outback tail light bulb, for example, you unscrew two clips, remove a panel, and then unscrew two more bolts to remove the tail light assembly. On a Subaru Outback 2004 or older, remove the panel in the cargo area's corner and look at the socket bulbs.
If a burned-out bulb was your tail light’s only problem and it’s in good working order again, your repairs done! 
In some situations, the tail light assembly may need to be replaced. To remove the entire assembly, you may need to remove an electrical connector (pushing the unlock tab as you remove it) in addition to the bulb sockets.
Pro Tip Wearing gloves when handling your tail light bulbs can help you avoid getting oils or smudges on them.

Commons reasons for Subaru tail light malfunctions

If you’re not sure what caused your Subaru tail light to stop working properly, these are some common causes for tail light malfunctions: 
  • Burned-out bulb: If you’ve only noticed an issue with one of your tail lights, it’s possible you just have a burned-out tail light bulb. 
  • Damaged or corroded socket: Exposure to moisture can create rust or corrosion inside your vehicle’s bulb sockets, so look for signs of damage when replacing a bulb.
  • Faulty wiring, fuses, or control switch: If you’ve replaced your faulty bulb and/or tail light assembly and your tail light still doesn’t work, you might have a more substantial issue with bad wiring or a faulty wire or control switch.

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights? 

Whether your car insurance will cover a broken tail light will depend on a few factors:
  • Your coverage level
  • The cause of damage
  • The cost to repair
However, whether it’s worth it to file a claim for your broken tail light is another question, and usually, the answer ends up being no. 
If your car insurance includes
collision coverage
and your tail light was broken due to a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object, your broken tail light might be covered. If your policy includes
comprehensive coverage
, your tail light could be covered for events related to falling objects, vandalism, natural disasters, and more.
However, you’re usually going to have to reach your deductible amount before you’ll see coverage from your car insurance company. Typical deductible amounts are $500 and $1,000.
While some Subaru tail lights cost more than others—replacing a single tail light could cost $80 to $150—it usually ends up being a relatively inexpensive repair, especially if you take it on yourself. Even if you add the cost of labor by taking your car to a mechanic, you still might not reach your deductible amount.
You might also see your car insurance rate rise when filing a claim, so it usually ends up being more cost-effective to pay for a tail light replacement out of pocket.

How to find affordable Subaru insurance

The average Subaru driver pays $1,613 every year for
car insurance
. But if you’re a Subaru driver, could you be paying less than you are right now? No matter what year or model your Subaru is, the
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FAQs

The cost to replace a Subaru tail light will vary depending on factors like what Subaru model you drive, how extensive the problem is, and whether you decide to take care of it yourself or have a mechanic do it for you. 
Replacing a single Subaru tail light could cost somewhere between $80 and $150 for the replacement part alone.
Replacing Subaru tail lights is a task many drivers are able to quickly and easily do themselves. However, it does involve working with some electrical components, so it’s a good idea to review best safety practices before starting.
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