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Summary
  • Drivers should consider a malfunctioning tail light a safety hazard.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned that broken tail lights increased the risk of accidents.
  • If you notice some wear and tear on your vehicle’s tail lights, immediately schedule an appointment with a trusted mechanic.
  • You can personally replace your vehicle’s tail lights. Aftermarket tail lights can cost around $5 to $1,300.

Tail lights help make your vehicle visible, especially at night. It’s important to have functioning tail lights in your vehicle because they can significantly reduce the risk of crashes. While legislation is being passed in some states to ban low-level traffic stops for tail light, headlight, or license plate light issues, drivers should still consider a malfunctioning tail light to be a safety hazard.

Broken Tail Lights Increase The Risk of Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most rear-end crashes result from a failure to respond to a decelerating vehicle. The study found that LED tail lights are effective at getting a driver’s attention and can be used as a warning signal to deter crashes.

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damaged tail light
If your vehicle’s tail light is cracked or broken, other drivers will have a hard time seeing your vehicle in low-visibility conditions.

When to Get Your Tail Lights Replaced

Replacing your broken tail lights is a must if you’re going to drive your vehicle in the US. If your vehicle’s tail light is cracked or broken, other drivers will have a hard time seeing your vehicle in low-visibility conditions. You should inspect your tail lights at every fuel change to ensure that they’re in good condition. Small cracks in the tail light lens might become larger and allow road debris to enter the tail light assembly, damaging the light bulb. If you notice some wear and tear on your vehicle’s tail lights, immediately schedule an appointment with a trusted mechanic. They might ask you to also replace the tail light bulb to ensure that the entire tail light is working.

Check out these videos for tips on how to replace your tail light assembly and bulb:

Where to Get Your Tail Lights Replaced

With the correct parts and instructions, you can replace your vehicle’s tail lights yourself. However, if you get into an accident as a direct result of the tail lights that you’ve installed, you might find yourself in trouble. Lawyers recommend hiring a qualified mechanic so that the blame doesn’t entirely fall on the driver in the event of an accident. Some insurance policies also require that your tail lights be maintained or replaced by a professional. This means that you could potentially void your part’s insurance by attempting to replace it yourself.

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Finding the right mechanic for the job can be tricky. Fortunately, CarParts.com can help you find a reputable auto repair shop in your area. With just a few clicks, you can purchase tail lights and schedule an appointment at a pre-vetted auto shop near you. Our expert installation service comes with a 12-month or 12,000-mile service warranty for your peace of mind.

Get a Replacement Tail Light Without Leaving Your Home

While you can still drive your car with a bad tail light, there’s always the chance of a police officer pulling you over and fining you because of it. There’s also the increased likelihood that another driver might rear-end your car while driving at night. This is why you need to order a replacement tail light here at CarParts.com right away.

You can order a new tail light with a few clicks or taps without ever leaving your home. Once you access CarParts.com, you can enter your vehicle’s details in our vehicle selector to bring up the right replacement parts for your car or truck. Our tail lights come from only the best manufacturers in the industry, so you know your new part will deliver the long-lasting performance you deserve. If you live in the continental U.S. and place your order by 12 p.m. ET, you can expect your parts to reach you in only a few business days.

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What are you waiting for? Get great deals on high-quality tail lights when you shop at CarParts.com today!

Shop this Project

Replacement – Passenger Side Tail Light, With bulb(s), LED, Clear and Red Lens
, Broken Tail Lights: Where to Get Them Replaced Quickly
$290.45 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
Replacement – Driver Side Tail Light, With bulb(s), LED, Clear and Red Lens
, Broken Tail Lights: Where to Get Them Replaced Quickly
$293.49 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
About The Author
Written By Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

File Under : DIY , Car Lights Tagged With :
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Roger Cohn

I can’t find the year and make of trail light cover that I am looking for. Why? It’s a 2024

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