Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Equinox Tail Light Assembly

Overview

The tail light-also called the rear lamp, brake light, stop-light, or tail lamp-on a Chevrolet Equinox lets drivers behind you see, judge distance, and know when you are stopping. U.S. law (FMVSS 108) says every passenger vehicle must have two red tail lamps visible from 1,000 feet at night (NHTSA). Inside the lamp are running-light filaments or LEDs that glow whenever the headlights are on, plus brighter stop-light elements triggered by the brake pedal. LED versions light roughly 0.25-0.35 seconds faster than old bulbs-up to an extra 15-30 feet of stopping room for cars following at highway speed (NHTSA). Working tail lights cut rear-end crash risk; IIHS found forward-collision systems and good rear lighting together halve such crashes (IIHS Crash Testing).

Safety Basics

Tail lights must shine red only; mixing in other colors is illegal (NHTSA). Enhanced lighting like flashing stop lamps is still banned in normal U.S. traffic-even Mercedes' trial got only temporary approval (Popular Mechanics). Good lamps also meet brightness and condensation tests listed in GM's service bulletin 01-08-42-001N (CarComplaints.com).

Design History

• 2005-2009 (Gen 1): Conventional bulb housings with a single clear lens and red inner reflector.
• 2010-2017 (Gen 2): Larger wrap-around assemblies; most trims keep 7443/3157 bulbs while LTZ adds LED accents (Wikipedia).
• 2018-2021 (Gen 3 pre-refresh): Slimmer units that bolt from inside the lift-gate.
• 2022-present (Gen 3 refresh): Full LED tail lamps redesigned with smoked lenses and bright light-bar style on RS and Premier trims (GM Authority).

Common Problems

• Burned-out bulbs or diodes-faster in high-heat housings.
• Water intrusion / condensation causing flicker, corrosion, or BCM fault codes; GM issued multiple bulletins and owners filed complaints, e.g., 2008 Equinox reports of water inside the brake lamp (Car Complaints).
• Cracked lens from minor impacts.
• Faulty wiring / blown fuse-Stop-lamp fuse #27 (under-hood) on early models; see fuse diagrams below (Fuse Box).

Bulb & LED Specs

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Fuse & Wiring

• 2018-2025: Rear fuse block behind left cargo panel; Exterior-Light fuse F44 (15 A) (Fuse Box).
• 2010-2017: Interior panel right of console plus under-hood block; Stop-Lamp fuse #27 (15 A) (Fuse Box).
• 2005-2009: Passenger-side console fuse box with labeled "STOP LP" slot (Fuse Box).

DIY Replacement

Most owners can swap a rear lamp in 15 minutes with a 10 mm socket and trim tool:

1. Open lift-gate and remove two screws on the lamp edge.
2. Pull the assembly straight back-clips release with a firm tug (see 2010-15 video guide) (YouTube).
3. Twist bulb holders counter-clockwise, replace bulbs or disconnect LED harness.
4. Inspect foam gasket; reseal with automotive-grade silicone if damp.
5. Reverse steps to reinstall and test lights.

Upgrade Ideas

• LED retrofit bulbs draw ~80 % less power and last up to 50,000 hours (NHTSA).
• Sequential turn modules (aftermarket) add animated signals-check local law first.
• Smoke or clear lens covers change style but must not dim output below FMVSS spec (NHTSA).

Inspection & Law

Annual state inspections look for cracked lenses, wrong colors, and solid-on brake function. Any lamp that shows white light to the rear or flashes red when braking will fail (Popular Mechanics).

Care Tips

• Clean lenses with pH-neutral soap; harsh chemicals cloud polycarbonate.
• Keep seals pliable with silicone spray to block moisture intrusion (CarComplaints.com).
• Check operation monthly; have someone press the brake while you watch.

Disposing Lamps

Old housings are mostly polycarbonate; many municipal recycling centers accept them with mixed plastics. Remove metal bulb holders first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of Equinox share the same tail-light design?
A: 2010-2017 lamps interchange across those model years, but 2018-up units are unique and not backward-compatible (Wikipedia).

Q: My lamp fogs up after rain. Is that normal?
A: Light mist is acceptable and may clear on its own, but pooled water means a failed seal-covered by GM bulletin 01-08-42-001N (CarComplaints.com).

Q: Does a burned-out tail bulb trigger a dash warning?
A: Yes on 2016-newer models; the Body Control Module monitors current draw and will show "Rear Lamp Out" in the cluster.

Q: What fuse should I check first if both brake lights quit?
A: On 2010-2017 trucks, inspect 15 A fuse #27 in the under-hood box (Fuse Box).

Q: Can I swap in LED bulbs without resistors?
A: Only if your Equinox uses a separate LED-ready circuit (2016-17 LTZ). Earlier models need load-resistor packs to avoid hyper-flash.

Q: Are aftermarket smoked tail lamps legal?
A: They're legal only if they still meet brightness rules in FMVSS 108 (NHTSA). Too-dark lenses risk tickets and crashes.

Q: How fast do LEDs react compared with bulbs?
A: Up to one-third of a second faster, equal to roughly a car length at 65 mph (NHTSA).

Q: Why did my new LED bulb flicker?
A: Low-quality LEDs can trigger BCM pulse-width signals. Choose CAN-bus-compatible bulbs certified for 12-V automotive use (NHTSA).

Q: What's the torque spec for the tail-lamp bolts?
A: Snug by hand; GM lists 5 N·m (44 in-lb) to avoid cracking the plastic housing.

Q: Are rear fog lamps offered on U.S. Equinox models?
A: No; U.S. versions rely on tail and stop lamps. Rear fogs appear only on certain export trims.

(Numbers in brackets correspond to the research sources.)