What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($237)MiddleHigher-cost states ($302)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $302 and AR the lowest at $237, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is under 50,000 (47%). The biggest difference from all complaints is 50,000-100,000: 47% against 29%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 3-5 years (54%), against 35% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
1,398 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 27 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $800 or less; one in ten wrote more than $1,100.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
25-44 mph leads at 38%.
Owners reported it most often at town speeds. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 1,398 owner complaints naming this part, fire is the outcome owners report most often.
Outcomes owners reported in complaints about this part. Fire reported: 19; Crash reported: 11; Injury reported: 11.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 1,398 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 484 (35%), followed by 2016 at 257 (18%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 20 (1%).
When in the year do owners report it?
NHTSA owner complaints about this part run furthest above the usual seasonal share in January: about 37% more of them name an incident that month than complaints about any part would predict. A complaint is a report, not a measured failure.
What it shows: January is the largest at 12% (all: 9%), followed by February at 10% (all: 8%); the smallest shown is September at 6% (all: 8%).
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, lights caused 5.2 failed items per 1,000 inspections, the second most of the four components the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Do tail light replacement problems track registered cars and trucks per resident across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about tail light replacement run higher where registered cars and trucks per resident is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that registered cars and trucks per resident causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more registered cars and trucks per resident; higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with registered cars and trucks per resident.
What it shows: States with more registered cars and trucks per resident tend to sit higher on the chart across 36 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most registered cars and trucks per resident (Iowa, Alabama, Minnesota, Kentucky, Michigan, South Carolina, Louisiana, Oregon, New Hampshire, Tennessee): reports of this repair run 26% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 9 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Texas, Connecticut, California, Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina): 4% above, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Iowa is among the highest in registered cars and trucks per resident but reports below expected; New York (28% above expected) and New Jersey (25% above expected) are among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least registered cars and trucks per resident runs 4% above what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 7% below, and the third with the most 22% above. Most of the registered cars and trucks per resident effect sits in the third with the most.
- For registered cars and trucks per resident, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 7. Take out any single state and the registered cars and trucks per resident pattern still holds.
More registered vehicles per resident means more cars on the road and more older vehicles kept in service.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new vehicular lighting equipment rose 10.1% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new vehicular lighting equipment, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New vehicular lighting equipment: +10.1%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 equipment recalls that name tail since 2015 (exterior lighting and electrical system), covering 5,611 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Harbor Freight Tools in 2026, covered 3,832.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Harbor Freight Tools: 12v Submersible Lights, 12v Led. | tail lights bulbs | certain Kenway 12V LED Towing Light Kits with part number 64282, manufactured November 13, 2019 to December. | 3,832 |
| 2020 | Ecco Holdings Corp.: Code 3 | exterior lighting | certain Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights sold primarily. | 761 |
| 2022 | Chrysler (Fca Us, Llc): Tail Light Assembly | tail lights | certain Mopar Lamp Assemblies, tail light right with part number 68421132AD, and tail light left with part. | 668 |
| 2026 | Ford Motor Company: Integrated Trailer Module Kit | tail lights | certain ITRM accessory kits with part number RL3Z-19H322-AA, ML3Z-19H322-AA, AB, BA, BB, CA, and CB that were. | 315 |
| 2026 | Jerr-Dan Corporation: Xlp Carrier Kit | tail lights | certain XLP Carrier kits. The reverse and brake light assemblies may have been installed in the wrong. | 35 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 5 foreign recall campaigns that name tail with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Chrysler (FCA US in 2025-01.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-12 | Subaru. | 232 | Description of the Non-compliance: Due to the incorrect circuit structure design, when the trailer's brake lamps are illuminated (ON), the trailer's rear lamps (registration plate lamps and tail lamps) will be deactivated (OFF). |
| 2018-12 | Mercedes-Benz | 229 | Identification of Vehicles Make Line Model Year Inclusive Dates of Manufacture Mercedes-Benz A-Class (176 platform) 2015 - 2018 January 1, 2015 � May 31, 2018 Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected Approximately 4604 A-Class (176 platform) vehicles with. |
| 2023-10 | Tesla. | 201 | Description of the defect and risk to motor vehicle safety: Affected vehicles were manufactured in Germany with a Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) that has elevated input capacitance, which may cause certain right rear tail lamps on the vehicles to enter an. |
| 2020-06 | Mercedes-Benz | 107 | Description of Issue MBAG has determined that on certain MY20 GLA-Class vehicles (H247 platform) the luminous intensity of the tail lamp direction indicator might not meet current production specifications. |
| 2025-01 | Chrysler (FCA US) | 002 | - Peugeot / Citroen / Opel / Fiat Report Type Safety Noncompliance Identification of Affected Vehicles: Make(s) Model(s) Model Year(s) Inclusive Dates of Affected Start End Manufacture Model 2024 2024 Population Start End (Estimated) Fiat Ducato 03/05/2024. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 8 NHTSA recalls that name tail filed 2015 to 2024, 94.3% of the 692,466 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 39,677 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tesla Model Y, Model 3 | 321,628 | 98.3% | tail lights |
| 2024 | Ford Maverick | 242,669 | 92.5% | tail lights |
| 2022 | Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Grand Cherokee | 99,186 | 85.9% | tail lights |
| 2023 | Land Rover Range Rover | 12,922 | 92.1% | tail lights |
| 2020 | Audi S5, A5 | 5,426 | 95.7% | tail lights |
| 2022 | Jaguar F-Pace | 5,297 | 94.9% | tail lights |
| 2023 | Ford Maverick | 2,716 | 81.6% | tail lights |
| 2021 | Land Rover Defender | 2,622 | 100.0% | turn signal |
Which U.S. counties get hail that damages cars?
NOAA Storm Prediction Center logged hail of 1 inch or larger most often in Cleveland County, OK, Oklahoma County, OK and Tarrant County, TX, about 30.2 reports per 1,000 square miles a year from 2000 to 2024, against 2.6 in the median U.S. county; reports also reflect where people live to see and call in hail.
What it shows: Cleveland County, OK is the largest at 30.2, followed by Oklahoma County, OK at 28.4; the smallest shown is Denton County, TX at 20.3.
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns for parts matched to a tail light replacement since model year 2015, covering about 5,823,530 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a tail light replacement since model year 2015 | 29 recall campaigns covering about 5,823,530 vehicles |
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 2,091,272 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025, 5.1% of cars aged 16+ years failed the lighting test against 0.3% of cars under 3 years, about 17 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 5.1%, followed by <3 at 0.3%; the smallest shown is <3 at 0.3%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-104 | Ford Expedition 2022–2027; Lincoln Navigator 2022–2027; Ford F-450 SD 2022–2026 and 6 more | 4,381,878 | Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V-256 | Acura MDX Sport Hybrid 2017–2019; Acura MDX 2015–2019 | 322,897 | Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 22V-844 | Tesla Model Y 2020–2023; Tesla Model 3 2023 | 321,628 | A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-293 | Ford Maverick 2022–2024 | 242,669 | Rear tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-543 | Ford Explorer 2025; Lincoln Aviator 2025 | 213,121 | Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V-544 | Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 2022; Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 | 99,186 | A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-006 | KIA Sorento 2024–2025; KIA Sorento Phev 2025; KIA Sorento Hybrid 2025 | 74,469 | A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V-839 | Ford Ranger 2019 | 72,718 | Intermittent or inoperative tail lamps can result in loss of stop, turn, rear position, and reverse lamp functions, which reduces the vehicle's visibility and may not fully alert other drivers that the vehicle is braking, turning. |
21 more recalls name this part, on smaller fleets. The car finder at the top checks yours.
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche | 911 2025–2026; 911 Carrera 2025–2026 and 1 more | 6/25 9431 | Jun 8, 2026 | Exclusive design tail light installation instructions. |
| Subaru | Solterra 2023–2026 | 12-277-26 | Apr 20, 2026 | This Service Information Bulletin announces a design change to the tailgate rear taillight assembly. |
| MINI | Cooper Convertible 2025; Cooper 2025 and 1 more | M630126 | Jan 16, 2026 | On rare occasions, a check control message may be displayed indicating a malfunction in the rear lightingfunctions, including the brake light, taillight, side light; or turn indicator. |
| BMW | 230i 2025; X5 2024–2026 | B630725 | Sep 3, 2025 | The check control message(s) for the (brakelights, taillights, side lights, turn indicator,daytime driving lights) taillamps (highlightedin orange in the photo) is intermittentlydisplayed. |
| Porsche | 911 2025–2026 | 6-25 | Aug 29, 2025 | Installation and conversion instructions for the exclusive design tail. |
| Volkswagen | Id.4 2021–2025; Jetta 2021–2025 and 10 more | V9422012066639_5 | Jul 14, 2025 | What to do if customer mentions water droplet within tail lights. |
55 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche | Cayenne 2018–2019 | Jun 1, 2020 | No. 64 | Tail light. |
What do owners say?
3 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Then after 50k miles, I started having odd lighting issuesâ¦both headlight bulbs had to be replaced within 3 weeks of each other and one high beam bulb, and then my tail lights went out!
We bought our 2015 denali 1 year ago and have approx 50,000 miles and the passengers side tail light is out.
The part is ~$650 to replace, both of my brake/tail lights have gone out within a 3 week period of each other and the dealership didn't seem surprised at all of this issue.
Check your car
Tail light replacement cost runs $145–$400 with our calculator's default settings: an aftermarket assembly at a shop charging $120 an hour. A bulb swap alone is $5–$25. Those are our estimates, not quotes, so use the calculator for your car before you walk in.
Don't sit on this one. Of the 369 owners who told NHTSA their speed when a tail light failed, 34% were going 55 mph or faster. A dead tail light means the driver behind you can't see you well, and that's a fix for this week, not this season.
The bill can jump when the whole assembly has to be replaced. Among 33 owners who wrote a dollar amount into their NHTSA complaint, the midpoint was $800. Below, we sort out bulb versus assembly, what shop type changes, which vehicles come up most, and whether a recall names your car.
How much does tail light replacement cost?
Tail light replacement cost depends mostly on one thing: bulb or whole assembly. The calculator's numbers, copied exactly:
| What changes | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default (aftermarket assembly, $120/hr) | $145–$400 |
| Bulb only (halogen / LED swap) | $5–$25 |
| Tail light assembly, OEM | $190–$570 |
| Car / sedan (aftermarket assembly) | $125–$320 |
| Pickup truck (aftermarket assembly) | $155–$440 |
| Independent shop ($100/hr) | $135–$380 |
| Dealership ($175/hr) | $173–$455 |
Quoted well above these ranges? Ask what else is on the ticket, and whether it's a bulb, a socket or the whole assembly.
Do I need a bulb or a whole tail light assembly?
A bulb swap is $5–$25. If the lens is cracked, fogged, or full of water, you're in assembly territory at $145–$400 or more.
Here's a quick way to sort it out before you call anyone:
- Look at the lens. Cracks or moisture inside mean the assembly, not the bulb.
- Check whether only one function is out. One dead bulb points to the bulb. Tail and brake both dead on one side points to the socket or the assembly.
- Check the other side. Both sides out at once suggests a fuse or wiring, not two bad bulbs.
- Find out whether your bulbs are replaceable at all. Some newer assemblies use sealed LEDs.
That last point is where the money goes. One 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL owner told NHTSA the LED lights "are not replaceable, the entire tail light assembly needs to be purchased at $700 A PIECE" (complaint #11114026). That's the case to check for on your car before a shop quotes you.
The other end of the range shows up too. A 2015 GMC Yukon Denali owner wrote (complaint #11101106): "most cars your tail light goes out $10 TO FIX..." That fits the bulb-swap range above.
Why is tail light replacement cost $700–$1,100 for some owners?
Owners who wrote a dollar amount to NHTSA reported a midpoint of $800, with the middle half between $700 and $875. That's 33 owners, so read it as a warning about sealed assemblies, not as a typical price.
One thing to keep in mind: these are owners' own reports, not lab results or measured failure rates. A complaint count doesn't say how many cars have the problem. It does show what people run into and what they were charged.
The quotes describe the same pattern:
- 2016 GMC Yukon XL, complaint #11246421: "the repair involves replacing the entire taillight assembly for about $800."
- 2015 Dodge Durango, complaint #11298813: the assembly "allows water to enter which cause the race track taillights to blow and forces consumers to spend over $1000 to fix this issue."
- 2020 Lincoln Corsair, complaint #11749573: "It's unbeleivable that I was faced with an $1,100 bill for my tail lights not working when the problem was due to poor engineering."
Our estimate for an OEM assembly tops out at $570. Owners on these models paid $700 to $1,100. If your quote lands there, ask the shop to show you the failed part and to say why a bulb, socket or repair can't be used. Then get a second quote, and price an aftermarket assembly.
Is it safe to drive with a tail light out?
Driving with a dead tail light isn't worth the risk, and the safety records say why. The manufacturer's own text for recall 19V256000, covering 322,897 Acura MDX vehicles, says: "Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash." Tesla's recall 22V844000 says a taillight that fails to illuminate "may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash."
On the NHTSA form, owners checked 50 crashes, 26 fires and 29 injuries among the 1,715 tail light complaints. The form doesn't prove the tail light caused any of them, so we don't say it did. It does mean some owners connected the two.
Speed matters here. Among the 369 complaints that gave a speed, the midpoint was 40 mph and 34% were at 55 mph or faster. Only 5% were parked or under 5 mph.
Here's how to sort your urgency:
- Stop and fix now: a tail light or brake light out at night, on a highway, or in rain or fog, or any smoke or burning smell near the light.
- Fix this week: one tail light out in daylight, with brake lights still working.
- Shop around: a cracked lens with everything still lighting.
If you don't know whether your brake lights work, have someone stand behind the car while you press the pedal. Then decide.
Does tail light replacement cost less at an independent shop, a dealership or DIY?
The shop type moves the estimate: an independent shop lands around $135–$380, a dealership around $173–$455. The parts are the same. You're paying for the hourly rate, $100 versus $175.
The dealer is the more common name in the complaints. Owners named a dealer 609 times and an independent shop 54 times. That says where owners took the car and where they got quotes, not which is better.
DIY is realistic for a bulb swap, which the calculator prices at $5–$25 even with shop labor. Assemblies are harder: sealed housings and clips vary by model, and a mistake can cost more than the job. If you go DIY on an assembly, buy the part by your VIN and keep the old one until the new light works.
Before you pay: ask for the old part back. A good shop is glad to hand it over.
What should I ask before I pay for tail light replacement?
One question saves the most money: "Is it the bulb, the socket, or the whole assembly, and can I see it?" Then work down the list:
- Is my VIN in a recall or bulletin for this light?
- Is an aftermarket assembly available, and what's the price difference?
- What's the labor time, and at what hourly rate?
- Will you return the old part?
Write the answers next to the range from the calculator. If the numbers don't match, that's your reason for a second quote.
The next move
Here's what to do:
- Today: confirm every light on the back of the car works, with a helper on the brake pedal. Drive nothing at night with a dead one.
- This week: enter your car in the calculator, check your VIN for recalls, and get the bulb-or-assembly answer in writing.
- Before you pay: ask to see the failed part. Anything well above your estimate deserves a second quote.
Tail light replacement is usually a small bill and sometimes a $1,000 surprise. Now you know which is which, and where the record backs you up.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a tail light?
$145–$400 typically in our calculator, with a bulb-only swap at $5–$25 and an OEM assembly at $190–$570. Pickups run higher, at $155–$440. Your quote depends on the vehicle and shop rate.
Can I replace just the tail light bulb?
Often yes, if your assembly takes replaceable bulbs. Some sealed LED assemblies don't. One Yukon Denali XL owner told NHTSA the whole assembly had to be bought at $700 (complaint #11114026). Check before you order parts.
Is it illegal or unsafe to drive with a tail light out?
It's unsafe: the recall text says a dead tail light "reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash." We don't have state-by-state rules, so ask your local DMV or police about tickets.
Why is my tail light replacement so expensive?
Usually because the whole assembly is being replaced, not the bulb, and dealer labor is $175 an hour in our estimate. Owners on some SUVs report $700 to $1,100 for sealed assemblies.
How long do tail lights last?
Owners who filed NHTSA complaints reported a midpoint of 50,000 miles and 4 years. That's a record of problems, not a lifespan.
Is a tail light replacement covered by a recall?
Sometimes. 29 recalls name tail lights, and Porsche has a warranty extension for the 2018–2019 Cayenne. Check your VIN with NHTSA before you pay.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2023 Table MV-1 with Census 2023 population, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU141205141); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Severe Weather Database (hail reports 1955-2024); county land area from the Census Gazetteer file downloaded 2025 (file covers through 2024)
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
Owner complaints quoted
Other sources
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Not independently checked: no established price guide publishes a general range for this exact job (looked 2026-10-06), so the default has no outside comparison. Methodology