Buy Dodge Journey Tail Light Assembly

Key Takeaways

The tail light (also called a tail lamp, rear light, stop light, or brake lamp) on a Dodge Journey keeps you visible from behind, signals braking, and helps other drivers judge the SUV's width at night. From the 2009 launch through the final 2020 model year, Dodge used a two-piece rear-lighting setup: an outer lamp in the quarter panel and an inner lamp on the liftgate. The outer unit switched from all-bulb to an LED board after the 2011 facelift. A standard dual-filament 3157 bulb handles running-light and brake-light duties in incandescent versions, while LED versions use a sealed board. Federal rules (FMVSS 108) say the lamp must glow red, meet brightness targets, and sit at the vehicle's outer corners. Replacing the Journey's tail lamp is a basic DIY task that needs only a T-25 Torx driver and about ten minutes. Regular checks, cleaning, and timely bulb or socket swaps keep the system legal and safe. Environmentally, used bulbs count as universal waste, so recycle them instead of tossing them in the trash. (Wikipedia, pictures.dealer.com, AutoZone.com, eCFR, YouTube, US EPA)

Purpose & Basics

A tail light does three jobs:

1. Running light - a low-intensity red glow that marks the SUV's rear edges after dusk. (eCFR)
2. Brake light - a brighter red that warns drivers you are slowing down.
3. Rear reflector - a built-in red reflector that works even when the power is off. (eCFR)

Failing lamps mean other drivers cannot judge distance, which raises crash risk and can bring a traffic ticket.

Model-Year Changes

• 2009-2010 - All-bulb outer and liftgate lamps; simple 3157 bulbs. (Wikipedia, pictures.dealer.com)
• 2011 facelift - New LED outer lamp with clear lens ring; inner liftgate lamp stays incandescent. (Wikipedia)
• 2014-2020 - Same styling; minor trim tweaks only. All units interchange 2011-2020 if they match LED vs bulb style.

Fit & Compatibility

The Journey's rear lighting is four pieces: two outers and two liftgate inners. Inside each housing is a molded alignment peg and two Torx screws, so parts from any U.S-spec Journey (2009-2020) bolt on with no cutting. European Fiat Freemont lamps share the shape but have clear turn-signal segments; they plug in but are not DOT-approved in the U.S. (pictures.dealer.com, eCFR)

Bulbs & LEDs

• Bulb code: 3157 dual-filament (or 3157 LED retrofit) for outer lamps on 2009-2010 and all liftgate lamps. (AutoZone.com)
• Socket: three-pin, quarter-turn plastic holder; part number 68036496AA. (Mopar eStore)
• LED board: sealed, non-serviceable; if it fails, replace the full lamp. (Dodge Journey Forum)

Always match bulb wattage to avoid melting the socket.

Common Problems

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Water intrusion into Journey harnesses is widely reported; owners spot white corrosion on the three-pin plug. (, Fuse Box)

DIY Replacement

1. Open liftgate and remove the two Torx-25 screws holding the outer lamp.
2. Pull lamp straight rearward to release the alignment peg.
3. Twist the bulb socket counter-clockwise and remove.
4. Swap the bulb, or fit the new lamp, then reverse steps. A step-by-step video shows the full process. (YouTube)

Average time: 10 minutes. Tools: T-25 driver, gloves.

Maintenance Tips

• Wipe lenses with mild car-wash soap; harsh cleaners can cloud the polycarbonate. (pictures.dealer.com)
• Check lamp operation monthly; have a friend press the brake.
• Keep spare 3157 bulbs and a Torx bit in the cargo tray.

Laws & Safety

U.S. code 49 CFR 571.108 says rear lamps must glow red, be visible 1,000 feet at night, and sit symmetrically left and right. (eCFR)
Tint or smoked covers that dim the light below the DOT minimum are illegal in many states, including Pennsylvania and Indiana. (Legal Beagle, Legal Beagle)
Commercial drivers must keep all external lights working under 49 CFR 393.11. (eCFR)

Upgrades

LED retrofit bulbs give quicker light-up and draw less power; choose units with built-in load resistors to avoid hyper-flash. Sequential turn signals and smoked lenses are popular, but ensure the light still meets FMVSS 108 brightness.

Electrical & Fuses

Most tail-light faults trace to Fuse F8, F13, or F105 (year varies). The interior fuse box sits behind the left sidekick panel; diagrams are online for every model year. (StartMyCar, Fuse Box)

Recycling & Environment

Spent incandescent or LED boards are "universal waste" under EPA rules, meaning they should not go in household trash. (US EPA)
Earth911 offers a ZIP-code search tool to locate bulb-recycling drop-offs. (search.earth911.com)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size bulb fits a 2014 Journey outer tail light?
A: A 3157 dual-filament bulb or a 3157-base LED retrofit. (AutoZone.com)

Q: Does my 2018 Journey have LED tail lights?
A: Yes, all 2011-2020 U.S. Journeys use an LED outer lamp; only the liftgate inner lamp keeps a bulb. (Wikipedia)

Q: Can I replace just the LED board?
A: No. The board is sealed; replace the whole lamp. (Dodge Journey Forum)

Q: Where is the tail-light fuse?
A: Inside the left dash fuse box-check F13 or F105 depending on model year. (Fuse Box)

Q: What tools do I need to swap a lamp?
A: A T-25 Torx driver and a flat-blade screwdriver for the plastic trim pins. (YouTube)

Q: Is a smoked lens cover legal?
A: Only if it still emits red light bright enough to meet FMVSS 108; many state laws ban covers that dim the lamp. (Legal Beagle, Legal Beagle)

Q: Why do both tail lights fail after rain?
A: Water can wick into the wiring connector and corrode the ground pin; cleaning and sealing fixes most cases. (Dodge Journey Forum)

Q: Will a Fiat Freemont lamp fit?
A: Physically yes, but its clear turn-signal section is not DOT-approved for U.S. roads. (eCFR)

Q: How bright must the lamp be?
A: DOT spec requires visibility from 1,000 feet at night.

Q: Are LED bulbs plug-and-play?
A: They fit the socket, but may need a resistor to stop the "bulb out" warning.

Q: Does the Journey have a recall for tail lights?
A: No tail-light-specific recall exists; one lighting recall concerned head-lamp reflectors, not the rear lamps. (Cars.com)

Q: How often should bulbs be replaced?
A: Replace when dim, cracked, or at factory interval (about 100 hours for standard bulbs). (AutoZone.com)

Q: Can I drive with one brake light out?
A: No; laws require two working brake lamps. (eCFR)

Q: What happens if the BCM fails?
A: Tail lights may flicker or stay dark; a scan tool will show "tail lamp circuit open."

Q: Do LEDs last the life of the car?
A: They can run 10,000 hours, but heat or moisture can shorten life.

Q: How do I recycle LEDs?
A: Drop them at an electronics recycler or refer to Earth911 to find a site. (search.earth911.com)

Use these tips to keep your Dodge Journey's tail lights-your rear safety beacons-bright, legal, and worry-free.