Buy Acura ILX Tail Light Assembly

The tail light sits at the very back of the ILX and bundles three jobs: running light, brake light, and rear turn signal. Because Acura designed the housing as a sealed unit with a foam gasket, it helps keep dampness out while letting heat escape. Modern ILX years (2019-2022) add light-pipe LEDs that stand out even in daytime traffic, improving reaction time by roughly 16 feet at 60 mph compared to old bulbs. (Acuranews, AUXITO)

• 2013-2015 - Halogen tail/stop bulb 7443. Inner trunk lamps illuminate when you open the lid. (AUXITO)
• 2016-2018 - Same outer housing but Acura refreshed the inner styling when the sedan got its "Jewel Eye" front end. (Dealer E Process)
• 2019-2022 - Full LED assembly with smoked lens accent; wiring and mounting points remain unchanged, so you can install an LED unit on earlier cars with minor splicing. (Acuranews)

Each lamp uses a polycarbonate lens bonded to an ABS shell. A butyl-rubber gasket seals the unit against the sheet-metal opening. Four 8-mm studs pass through the body and tighten with flange nuts. Overtightening can rip a stud loose; Honda's own bulletin for a similar housing lists 4.4 N·m (3.2 lb-ft) as safe torque. (NHTSA)

• Factory bulb code: 7443 (dual-filament) or 7440 (single). Both share the same wedge base. (AUXITO)
• LED upgrade: Plug-and-play LED replacements give instant-on response and roughly 50 000-hour life with no resistor on 2013-2018 cars. (Diode Dynamics)
• Color & brightness: U.S. law says stop lamps must glow red and be visible 300-500 ft at night. (Ilga)

Illinois law-mirrored by most states-requires two working tail lamps of the same color positioned symmetrically and no higher than 72 inches above the road. Tint film that darkens output below the 300-ft visibility rule can earn a fix-it ticket. Always test brightness after any mod.

1. Open the trunk and pull back the carpeted liner. (YouTube)
2. Unclip the wire harness and loosen the four 8-mm nuts.
3. Nudge the old lamp straight out; avoid twisting or prying at an angle.
4. Clean the body channel and inspect the foam gasket-replace if torn.
5. Slide in the new tail lamp, guide the studs through, and finger-start the nuts.
6. Tighten to about 4 N·m (hand-snug). (NHTSA)
7. Reconnect, test all functions, and reinstall the liner.

Check tail lights once a month. A helper can press the brake while you confirm even brightness. The owner's guide suggests wiping the lens with mild soap and water; avoid ammonia cleaners that cloud polycarbonate. (Dealer E Process)

• Both sides out - Inspect 7.5-amp fuse #34 on the dash-end panel. (Reddit)
• One side dim - Swap bulbs side-to-side; if the problem follows the bulb, replace it.
• Moisture inside - Remove lamp, dry with a hair dryer on low, then reseal the gasket with a thin bead of silicone. (Honda News, TLX Forums)
• Brake light works but tail light doesn't - Dual-filament bulb's running-light filament is open; replace the bulb. (JustAnswer)

Owners often add LED accent strips or light-pipe assemblies for a modern look; these install using factory clips and do not trigger bulb-out warnings. Many swap smoked lenses, but always verify nighttime visibility meets the 300-ft rule. (Dynamic Appearance)

Old halogen bulbs contain no hazardous metals and can go in normal trash, but recycling glass and metal halves energy use over raw mining. Whole lamp housings are #7 plastic; specialized recyclers can shred and separate materials. LEDs cut tail-light power draw by about 70 %, saving a tiny bit of fuel over time. (Diode Dynamics)

Q: What years share the same mounting pattern?
A: All Acura ILX sedans from model-year 2013 through 2022 bolt up identically, so assemblies interchange physically. (Acuranews)

Q: Which bulb fits my 2015 ILX?
A: Use a 7443 dual-filament bulb for both running and brake light in the outer housing. (AUXITO)

Q: Can I upgrade to LEDs without resistors?
A: Yes-plug-and-play 7443-size LEDs work in 2013-2018 cars because the ILX does not actively monitor bulb resistance. (Diode Dynamics)

Q: Where is the tail-light fuse?
A: Fuse slot 34 (7.5 A) on the driver-side dash fuse box protects both rear lamps. (Reddit)

Q: My light fills with water after rain-what now?
A: Dry it out, replace the foam gasket, and torque the studs to only 4 N·m so the seal isn't crushed. (NHTSA, TLX Forums)

Q: Do I need two tail lights by law?
A: Yes-most U.S. vehicle codes, such as Illinois Statute 625 ILCS 5/12-201, require a pair of red lamps visible 500 ft to the rear. (Ilga)

Q: Is there a recall on ILX tail lights?
A: As of May 2025, no ILX-specific tail-light recall exists, but Acura recalled similar MDX lamps for moisture intrusion-proof that proper sealing matters. (Honda News)

Q: How tight should I bolt the lamp?
A: About 4-5 N·m (about 40 inch-pounds) is enough; overtightening can break the stud. (NHTSA)

Q: How can I check for open recalls?
A: Enter your VIN at the official NHTSA database to see any active safety campaigns. (NHTSA)

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