Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Silverado Tail Light Assembly

Overview

Overview

Tail lights-also called tail lamps, rear lights, or rear combination lamps-let drivers behind you know where you are, when you are slowing, and when you plan to turn. For every generation of the Chevrolet Silverado, engineers have balanced styling with U.S. safety rules such as FMVSS 108 and SAE J585. Today's units may bundle LED stop lamps, incandescent turn bulbs, backup lamps, and even an animated "signature" light bar. Recent recalls show why keeping this part working matters: an electronic switch that lets water in can make 2024 HD models dump cargo onto the road, while accessory sport bars once hid brake lights on 2022 trucks (AP News) (The US Sun).

What Tail Lights Do

Functions

• Position lighting helps others see the truck at night.
• Brake/stop lights warn when the pedal is pressed.
• Turn signals flash amber or red to show direction.
• Reverse lamps (clear) light the path when backing.
  All of these are required by federal law .

Silverado Generations

1999-2006 (GMT 800)

• Two-bulb incandescent housing; 3157/3057 bulbs.
• Simple plug-in sockets-easy DIY swap (MotorTrend).

2007-2013 (GMT 900)

• Clear lens with colored bulbs; optional LED center high mount (CHMSL).

2014-2018 (K2XX)

• Mid-cycle LTZ/High Country trims gained factory LED tail lamps in 2016.
• Fuse for tail circuit sits in the left-side engine-bay block (YouTube).

2019-2021 (T1 first design)

• New body introduced animated LED tails on RST & High Country trims (Car and Driver).
• Many base trims still used halogen bulbs; owners often upgrade to LED kits (Silverado Sierra).

2022-2025 (T1 refresh)

• Revised light-bar motif; power-locking gate switch recall noted above.

Common Problems

Moisture & Cracked Lens

Water entry dulls reflectors and shorts circuits. A quick fix is to dry, then reseal with clear RTV.

Burned-out Bulbs

A dark corner often traces to a failed 7443 dual-filament bulb (most 2014-18 trucks) or BCM programming after an LED swap (GM-Trucks.com).

Wiring Issues

Ground or color-code confusion can keep one side dark; typical wire colors are brown (running), yellow (left turn), green (right turn), black (ground) (SSR Fanatic).

Recalls & Safety Bulletins

Accessory sport-bar removal and water-proof switch retrofits are GM's main fixes for 2022-24 tail‐related recalls (AP News) (The US Sun). Owners can check their VIN at the [NHTSA site] for free .

Legal & Safety

U.S. Rules

• FMVSS 108 sets mounting height, brightness, and color .
• SAE J585 adds photometric test methods for tail lamps (SAE International).

Why LED Helps

LEDs light up about 0.2 seconds faster than filament bulbs, cutting rear-end crashes by roughly 1.5 percent, per an NHTSA study of LED stop lamps .

Bulb & LED Options

• 1999-06: 3157 (stop/turn) & 921 (reverse).
• 2007-13: 3157/7443 dual filament.
• 2014-18: 7443 for tail/stop, T15 for reverse (AUXITO).
• 2019-25 LED housings are sealed; bulb swap is not possible-replace full assembly.
  When converting an incandescent truck to LEDs, add a load resistor or have a dealer re-flash the BCM to stop "hyper-flash."

DIY Replacement

1. Lower tailgate.
2. Remove the two 15 mm torx screws; keep torque ~5 ft-lb on install (Silverado Sierra).
3. Pull the housing straight back-clips release with a pop.
4. Twist bulb sockets counter-clockwise, swap bulbs, or unplug harness on LED models.
5. Test every function before reinstalling screws.

Fuse blown? Look for TAIL LP fuse (10 A) in Under-Hood Fuse Block position F20 on 2014-18 trucks (YouTube).

Styling Upgrades

Smoked lenses, sequential turn modules, and LED "tube" designs give the Silverado a modern look. Because tint film can reduce brightness, verify your upgrade still meets FMVSS 108 candlepower levels .

Maintenance Tips

• Wash lenses gently; grit can scratch the polycarbonate.
• Apply UV-blocking polish twice a year.
• Keep spare bulbs and a T15 Torx bit in the glovebox for on-road fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Silverados already have factory LED tail lamps?
A: High Country, RST, and LTZ trims from 2014-18 onward, plus most 2022-25 trucks (Car and Driver).

Q: What bulb fits a 2008 Silverado 1500?
A: Use a dual-filament 3157 for tail/stop and a 921 for reverse (AUXITO).

Q: My tail lights work but turn signals blink fast-why?
A: LEDs draw less power; the body-control module thinks a bulb is out. Add a resistor or have the module re-programmed (GM-Trucks.com).

Q: Is it legal to tint or smoke the lens?
A: Yes, if the finished lamp still meets FMVSS 108 color and brightness rules .

Q: Where is the tail-light fuse on a 2015?
A: Under-Hood Fuse Block, position F20 (10 A) (YouTube).

Q: Do 1999-2006 models use the same housing left and right?
A: Yes; the lamp is symmetrical, but check part numbers to match reflector strip color.

Q: How tight should the screws be?
A: About 5 ft-lb (7 N·m); overtightening can crack the plastic (Silverado Sierra).

Q: What causes condensation inside?
A: A cracked seal or missing vent; remove housing, dry with a hair dryer, then reseal.

Q: Can I retrofit 2022 LED tails onto my 2019 truck?
A: Yes, but you'll need adapter harnesses and BCM coding to prevent hyper-flash (Silverado Sierra).

Q: Are there open recalls for my truck?
A: Enter your VIN at the [NHTSA recall portal] to see any campaigns .

Q: What's the wiring color for ground?
A: Black is ground on every Silverado tail-lamp harness (SSR Fanatic).

Q: How long do LED assemblies last?
A: Lab tests show 30,000+ hours-often outlasting the vehicle-because they run cooler and resist vibration .

Q: Does the third brake light affect tail-lamp function?
A: No; it is on its own circuit, but leaks from that lamp can drip water into the bed and harness.

Q: What is SAE J585?
A: The lighting standard that sets photometric targets and test procedures for tail lamps (SAE International).

References

NHTSA VIN Recalls - https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/CHEVROLET/SILVERADO%201500%20LTD#recalls
The Brake Report: "Silverado, Sierra Recalled to Fix Brake Lamp" - https://thebrakereport.com/silverado-sierra-trucks-recalled-to-fix-brake-lamp/
SAE J585 Tail Lamp Standard - https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j585_202304/
FMVSS 108 Lighting Rule - https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-49/section-571.108
YouTube: Silverado Tail-Light Fuse Location (2014-19) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WriqHHcRzQg
Car and Driver: 2019 Silverado Photos & Info - https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a14782826/2019-chevrolet-silverado-1500-photos-and-info-news/
Motor Trend DIY: Replacing Bulbs on '99-'06 GM Trucks - https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1703-replacing-drl-sockets-and-bulbs-on-99-06-gm-trucks-suvs
Auxito Bulb Size Guide - https://www.auxito.com/pages/chevrolet-silverado-bulb-size-guide
GM-Trucks Forum: Tail-Light Wiring Diagram - https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/215404-tail-light-wiring-diagram/
NHTSA Tech Paper: LED Stop-Lamp Effectiveness - https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811712
Associated Press: 132 k GM Trucks Added to Tailgate Recall - https://apnews.com/article/6090a5695ff2417a280ea6e2985d8704
The Sun Motors: Silverado Heavy-Duty Tailgate Recall - https://www.the-sun.com/motors/13017500/popular-truck-brand-recall-vehicles-dangerous-chevrolet/
SSR Fanatic Forum: Wire Colors - https://www.ssrfanatic.com/threads/wiring-colors-tail-stop-turn.245557/
SilveradoSierra Forum: Torque Specs - https://www.silveradosierra.com/threads/torque-specifications.687745/
SilveradoSierra Forum: LED-to-Halogen Tail Lamps - https://www.silveradosierra.com/threads/led-halogen-tail-lights.762165/
GM-Trucks Forum: LED Bulb Questions - https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/254931-led-tail-light-bulb-questions/