Buy Honda CR-V Tail Light Assembly

Overview

The Honda CR-V tail light-also called a tail lamp, rear lamp, or brake-light assembly-sits at the back corners of the SUV and lets drivers behind you know when you are braking, turning, or simply cruising at night. It contains multiple bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for stop, tail/parking, turn-signal, and reverse functions. Regulations say it must shine red, meet brightness rules, and work whenever the headlamps or brakes are on. (eCFR) Modern CR-Vs (2023-2025) use factory LEDs that last longer and react faster than old incandescent bulbs, helping reduce rear-end crashes. (U.S. Department of Energy, NHTSA)

Fitment Years

• 2012-2014 "Gen 4" models share identical outer housings and use a two-filament 7443 bulb for the lower stop/tail position. (CRV Owners Club, CRV Owners Club)
• 2015-2016 facelift units kept the same mounting points, so the assembly swaps over without extra drilling. (Physical inspection and service manuals confirm matching tabs.)
• 2017-2022 "Gen 5" gained a tall, L-shaped lens that reaches the roof; the inner hatch lamp is serviceable but the outer lamp is a sealed LED board. (YouTube)
• 2023-2025 "Gen 6" moved to a full-width LED bar for park/stop plus separate amber turn signals. (IIHS Crash Testing)

Functions & Features

• Stop/Brake lamp: bright red when you press the pedal; LEDs light 0.2 s quicker than filaments, giving following cars an extra 14 ft of stopping distance at highway speed. (NHTSA)
• Tail/parking lamp: low-intensity red that stays on with the headlamps at night.
• Rear turn signal: amber flashers are 5 % more effective at preventing two-vehicle rear-end crashes than red flashers. (NHTSA)
• Reverse light: clear white to illuminate backing maneuvers.
• Built-in reflectors meet federal visibility rules even if the bulbs fail. (eCFR)

Bulb & LED Options

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LED replacements draw up to 90 % less power and last up to 25 times longer than glass bulbs, saving battery load. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Common Problems

• Burned-out filament causes one side to go dark; swap in a new 7443 or 168 bulb to restore light. (CRV Owners Club)
• Condensation inside the lens often comes from a torn gasket; drying the housing and resealing with clear silicone fixes it. (CRV Owners Club)
• Blown fuse (Interior Fuse Box No. 10, 10 A) disables both rear lamps-check the driver-side panel in 2017-2022 models. (StartMyCar, YouTube)

DIY Replacement

1. Open the liftgate and pop off the two plastic covers next to the lens. (CRV Owners Club)
2. Remove the two Phillips screws.
3. Wiggle the lamp straight back to release hidden clips-do not pry sideways. (YouTube)
4. Twist the bulb socket counter-clockwise, pull out the old bulb, and snap in the new one.
5. Test lights before reinstalling the screws.
   Typical driveway swap takes 10 minutes and basic hand tools. A shop may charge $100-$160 for the same job. (YourMechanic)

Legal & Safety Rules

• U.S. law (FMVSS 108) says tail lamps must be red and visible at least 1,000 ft at night. (eCFR)
• Driving with a cracked or inoperative rear lamp can earn a "fix-it" ticket in states like California. (California DMV)
• Regular safety checks-clean lenses, confirm both sides work, and keep spares-help the CR-V keep its IIHS "Top Safety Pick" rating. (IIHS Crash Testing)

Maintenance & Care

Clear plastic can haze over time. Light sanding with 1000- to 3000-grit wet paper and a UV-sealant polish keeps the lens bright and prevents further yellowing. (Popular Mechanics) Check the lights during every oil change and after backing into snowbanks to be sure connections stay tight.

Upgrade Ideas

• LED retrofit bulbs in 7443/7440 sockets give sharper on/off pulses.
• Sequential turn modules add sweeping amber flashes for style; be sure they stay legal-amber only, no white.
• Smoked covers look cool but can dim light output; verify they still meet the 1,000-ft rule. (eCFR)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb fits a 2012 CR-V lower tail/brake socket?
A: Use a dual-filament 7443 bulb (or LED equivalent). (CRV Owners Club)

Q: Can I swap LEDs into an older CR-V?
A: Yes-choose CAN-bus-friendly 7443 or 7440 LEDs to avoid hyper-flash. (CRV Owners Club)

Q: Why is only one side of my tail lamp working?
A: Most often the bulb is burned out or the fuse has popped; change the bulb first, then check Fuse 10. (StartMyCar, CRV Owners Club)

Q: Is it safe to drive with a cracked lens?
A: No. Moisture can short the circuit, and state law can cite you for defective equipment. (California DMV)

Q: How much does a shop charge to replace the assembly?
A: National averages run $100-$160 for parts and labor. (YourMechanic)

Q: What tools do I need for DIY replacement?
A: A #2 Phillips screwdriver and a plastic trim tool to pop the clips. (CRV Owners Club)

Q: Why does my new LED stay on dimly?
A: Some LEDs draw micro-current; add a resistor or choose an "anti-flicker" bulb. (CRV Owners Club)

Q: Are amber turn signals really safer?
A: Yes-studies show a 5 % drop in two-vehicle rear impacts when cars switch from red to amber rear flashers. (NHTSA)

Q: What's the brightness rule for tail lamps?
A: They must be visible from 1,000 ft at night and not create glare. (eCFR)

Q: How do I clear condensation inside the lamp?
A: Remove the housing, let it dry, then reseal the perimeter with clear silicone. (CRV Owners Club)

Q: Does cleaning the lens really help?
A: Yes-a polished lens lets more light through, improving night vision and safety. (Popular Mechanics)

Q: Which fuse controls the 2018 CR-V rear lights?
A: Interior Fuse Box (driver side), No. 10, 10 A. (StartMyCar)

Q: Are smoked tail lamps legal?
A: Only if they still meet the 1,000-ft visibility rule; dark films often fail that test. (eCFR)

Q: How fast do LEDs light up compared to bulbs?
A: About 0.2 seconds faster-enough for a following driver to stop roughly 14 feet sooner at 60 mph. (NHTSA)

Q: Does the CR-V have a tail-light recall?
A: As of May 2025, there is no tail-lamp-specific recall listed by NHTSA for current CR-V models. You can check for future updates at the NHTSA VIN lookup page. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I be ticketed for a dim tail lamp?
A: Yes-law enforcement can issue a citation if the lamp is dim, discolored, or not working. (California DMV)

Q: Do LEDs save battery power?
A: LEDs use up to 90 % less energy than incandescent bulbs, easing load on the alternator. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Q: Is there a high-mount brake light on the CR-V?
A: Yes-located at the top of the liftgate; it uses a 7440 or LED strip depending on the year. (CRV Owners Club)

Frequently Asked Questions