Buy Ford Mustang Tail Light Assembly

Ford's trademark tri-bar rear light, first seen in 1964½, has grown from a simple bulb-and-chrome housing into today's sculpted LED, sequential-flashing safety lamp.

Overview

The tail light sits at the back corners of every Mustang and houses the running light, stop light, turn signal, and reverse light. LED versions glow quicker and use up to 80 % less power than old-style incandescent bulbs, helping save battery life and giving other drivers an extra two-tenths of a second to react. (SAE International)

Generations & Fit

• First Gen (1964½-1973): Individual chrome bezels frame three vertical lenses; 1967-1968 Shelby cars added early sequential flashers. (therandomautomotive.com, Ford Media Center)
• Fox-Body (1979-1993): Larger composite housings share a single bulb per lens; 1990-1993 feature body-colored frames. (therandomautomotive.com)
• SN95/New Edge (1994-2004): Curved, wrap-around lenses; 1999 update added honeycomb texture.
• S197 (2005-2014): Retro tri-bar shape returns; 2010 refresh adds factory sequential LEDs. (Ford Media Center)
• S550 (2015-2023): Standard LED lamps with flush black border; mechanical removal requires one 11-mm socket and a gentle pull. (Ford Media Center, YouTube)
• S650 (2024-present): Sharper "pinched" three-bar LEDs and hidden aero vents reduce drag. (MotorTrend, Ford Media Center)

Safety Rules

U.S. law FMVSS 108 sets minimum brightness, color (red outward, white reverse), and activation timing. (eCFR) Many states allow mild tint, but fully smoked or colored covers can draw citations; California, for example, requires lamps stay visible at 1,000 ft in daylight. (California DMV) Always verify local code before darkening lenses.

Tech Upgrades

• LED boards fire 200 ms faster than bulbs, improving reaction distance. (SAE International)
• Sequential turn signals sweep inner-to-outer; standard on 2010+ Mustangs and easy to retrofit on classics with plug-in harnesses. (Ford Corporate)
• Clear or Euro lenses from Ford Performance add a modern look while keeping DOT legality. (Ford Motor Company)

Maintenance Tips

1. Change a bulb or module: Disconnect the battery, unbolt the three retaining nuts, unplug the harness, and slide the tail light out. A how-to video shows the steps in under five minutes. (YouTube)
2. Stop condensation: Remove the housing, dry with gentle heat, then reseal the perimeter gasket. Mustang owners share success using a tiny drain hole or fresh butyl sealant. (Mustang6G)
3. Fuse check: On 2005-2009 cars, tail lights share fuse F42 (15 A) in the Smart Junction Box. (JustAnswer)

Common Problems

• Water inside lens due to loose wiring grommet. Drain, dry, and reseal. (Mustang6G)
• One bar stuck bright on S550 often traces to a shorted LED driver; replacement lamp solves it. (Mustang6G)
• Cracked lens on classics may stem from mis-shaped aftermarket finned panels; test-fit before paint. (Vintage Mustang)

Installation Notes

Torque the three housing nuts to 4 N·m (35 in-lb) to avoid cracking the plastic. Always route the harness through the factory rubber boot to keep rain out. Reference Ford's full wiring diagram for pin colors when splicing sequential kits. (www.slideshare.net, The Mustang Source)

Legal & Recalls

Check your VIN on the NHTSA recall portal to see if your tail light or wiring is covered by a service campaign. (NHTSA) Ford has issued past bulletins on lamp condensation but no broad tail-lamp safety recall as of May 15 2025.

Environmental Notes

Modern LED rear lights draw roughly 0.5 A versus 2 A for incandescent, cutting electrical load and CO₂ output over the car's life. Lenses are recyclable polycarbonate-ask local facilities if they accept auto plastics. (SAE International)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I swap a 2015-2017 tail lamp?
A: Remove the trunk trim, loosen three 11-mm nuts, unplug the connector, and pull the lamp straight out. Reverse the steps to install. (YouTube)

Q: Are LED tail lights street-legal?
A: Yes, if they meet FMVSS 108 and show red to the rear and white for reverse. (eCFR)

Q: Why did only one bar light up?
A: A burnt fuse, corroded socket, or failed LED driver can keep a section dark; test with a multimeter first. (Mustang6G)

Q: Do all Mustangs have sequential signals?
A: Factory standard began in 2010; earlier models need add-on kits. (Ford Media Center)

Q: Can I tint my rear lights?
A: Light smoke film is usually legal if the lamp stays visible 1,000 ft away; check state laws. (California DMV)

Q: How can I stop moisture?
A: Pull the housing, dry it with mild heat, reseal the gasket, and ensure the vent is clear. (Mustang6G)

Q: What fuse controls the tail lights on an S197?
A: Fuse F42 (15 A) in the Smart Junction Box. (JustAnswer)

Q: Are clear lenses legal?
A: Clear outer lenses are legal because the internal LEDs emit red light; they are sold under DOT approval. (Ford Motor Company)

Q: Can I install S550 lamps on an S197?
A: No, the mounting pattern and body lines differ, so housings are not cross-compatible. (MotorTrend)

Q: Do LED lamps need load resistors?
A: Mustangs with factory LED lamps already have correct resistance; bulb-swap kits for older cars may need 6-ohm resistors to avoid hyper-flash. (www.slideshare.net)

Q: How bright should my brake lights be?
A: They must be visible from 300 ft in normal sunlight per FMVSS 108. (eCFR)

Q: How many bulbs are in a 1967 lamp?
A: Three 1157 dual-filament bulbs, one behind each vertical lens. (therandomautomotive.com)

Q: Is there a current tail-lamp recall?
A: None active as of May 2025; verify with the NHTSA VIN tool. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I recycle old housings?
A: Remove bulbs and wiring, then drop the polycarbonate shell at a plastic recycler that accepts automotive parts. (SAE International)

Q: What tools do I need for a classic sequential kit?
A: 7/16-in socket, wire stripper, crimper, and electrical tape-no soldering required. (www.slideshare.net)