Buy Honda Odyssey Tail Light Assembly

Honda Odyssey tail lights (also called tail lamps, rear brake lights, rear combination lamps, or stop-light assemblies).

Quick Overview

The Honda Odyssey's tail-light assembly sits on the back corners (and, on newer vans, partly on the liftgate). It houses the running light, brake light, rear turn signal, and back-up lamp so other drivers can see what you're doing. Federal law (FMVSS 108) says every replacement lamp must meet brightness, color, and aiming rules to keep the road safe (NHTSA).

Van Generations

• 1999-2004 (2nd gen) - Two-piece incandescent rear lamps; common recall for aftermarket "combination" lamps that didn't meet safety rules (Campaign 09E012000) (Autoguide.com).
• 2005-2010 (3rd gen) - Larger one-piece lamps that wrap onto the tailgate.
• 2011-2017 (4th gen) - Split design (quarter-panel + liftgate). Owners often swap in later LED housings (Odyclub).
• 2018-2025 (5th/6th gen) - All-LED "C-shape" lamps; back-up light and turn signal are still serviceable bulbs (ManualsLib).

What's Inside

• Bulb types - Most 2005-17 Odysseys use dual-filament 7443 bulbs for the tail/stop function and 921 bulbs for reverse (AutoZone.com).
• LED modules - 2018-up vans use sealed LEDs for the stop/running light; only the turn-signal socket is user-replaceable (ManualsLib).
• Connectors - Typical wire colors are green/yellow (brake), red/black (tail), orange/blue (turn), and green (ground) on 2005 vans (Odyclub).

Safety Rules

• FMVSS 108 limits tail-lamp color to red and minimum intensity to 80 cd so drivers behind you can react in time (NHTSA).
• NHTSA reminds drivers to test all lights at each fuel stop-tap the brake and check reflections (NHTSA).
• A 2023 rear-view-camera recall also covers 2018-24 Odysseys; techs route an upgraded coax cable behind the left tail lamp, so lamps may be removed during the fix (Investopedia).

Common Problems

• Water inside lens - Owners report water or fog in 2011-17 lamps; drilling a 1/8-inch vent hole or resealing the perimeter cures it (Odyclub, Odyclub).
• Burnt sockets - High-heat bulbs can darken or warp sockets; switching to quality LEDs that run cooler helps (Odyclub).
• Lights out but bulbs good - Check the 10 A tail-light fuse and look for loose grounds if inner liftgate lamps quit (Odyclub).

DIY Installation

1. Open the liftgate and remove the two 8 mm nuts (they only need finger-tight torque-about 5-7 N·m) (Honda-Tech).
2. Rock the lamp straight rearward to pop the locator pins.
3. Transfer bulbs or connect the new harness.
4. Test before reinstalling the nuts.
   See a clear walk-through in this step-by-step video ().

LED & Upgrade Ideas

• Plug-in LED 7443 bulbs cut power draw by ~75 % and light 0.2 s faster than halogens-about one car-length of extra reaction space at highway speed (Odyclub).
• Owners of 2011-13 vans often retrofit the factory 2014-17 LED housings; minor wiring splices and extra pigtails are needed (Odyclub).

Care & Checks

• Wash the lens with car-wash soap-no harsh chemicals.
• Wipe rubber seals with silicone grease to keep water out.
• Every oil change, inspect for cracks or loose fasteners and verify all modes (tail, stop, turn, reverse) light up (NHTSA).

Eco Disposal

Broken tail-light lenses are #7 plastic and can go in most mixed-plastic recycling bins; bulbs go to household-hazardous-waste drop-offs because of lead solder or mercury in older HID units (NHTSA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my Odyssey's tail lights fog up after rain?
A: Moisture sneaks past the factory seal. Remove the lamp, dry it, then reseal the perimeter with clear automotive silicone (Odyclub).

Q: What bulb fits a 2007 Odyssey brake light?
A: A dual-filament 7443 mini bulb; choose long-life or LED versions for cooler operation (AutoZone.com).

Q: Are aftermarket smoked lenses legal?
A: Only if the assembly still meets FMVSS 108 brightness and color rules; dark tints usually fail that test (NHTSA).

Q: Can I swap LED lamps into my 2005-10 van?
A: Yes-use LED bulbs in the stock housing or install later-model LED assemblies with custom wiring (Odyclub).

Q: My inner lift-gate lights are dead but outer lamps work-what now?
A: Check the 10 A "TAILGATE" fuse and look for a pinched harness in the hinge area (Odyclub).

Q: How tight should I crank the lamp nuts?
A: Snug, not gorilla-tight-small 8 mm studs need only about 5-7 N·m (use a ¼-inch drive ratchet) (Honda-Tech).

Q: Is there any tail-light-related recall?
A: Early Odysseys (1995-1998) had a safety recall on aftermarket combination lamps that didn't meet federal specs (Campaign 09E012000) (Autoguide.com).

Q: Why did Honda recall some 2018-24 Odysseys if the issue is a camera cable?
A: The repair runs behind the left tail lamp; dealers remove and refit the lamp while installing a protected coax cable (Investopedia).

More Resources

• Federal lighting rules: FMVSS 108 test manual (PDF)
• Recall look-up by VIN: NHTSA.gov/recalls
• Winter safety checklist that includes lighting tips: NHTSA Winter Driving Guide
• 2018 Odyssey owner's manual lighting section: Manualslib page 505
• Detailed install video for 2002-04 vans: YouTube How-To