Buy Hyundai Santa Fe Tail Light Assembly

Overview

The Hyundai Santa Fe tail light-also called a tail lamp, rear lamp, brake light, or back light-sits at the back of the SUV and tells drivers behind you when you are stopping, turning, or simply driving at night. It combines red running lamps, bright stop lamps, turn signals, and a clear reverse light in one sealed unit. Good tail lights keep you visible, help prevent rear-end crashes, and are required by law.

Compatibility

• Model years. Assemblies differ by generation (2001-2006, 2007-2012, 2013-2018, 2019-2024, and the new 2025 redesign). Even trim-level changes-halogen vs. LED-can change plug shapes and mounting pins. Always match year, trim, and whether the lamp mounts on the quarter-panel or lift-gate.
• Left vs. right. Left (driver) and right (passenger) housings mirror each other and will not swap.
• Regional specs. Export models may add a rear fog lamp in the cluster; U.S. versions usually do not.

Parts of the Assembly

• Outer lens. Acrylic or UV-coated polycarbonate protects the bulbs/LEDs from water and sun.
• Inner reflector. Directs light through the correct color section.
• Circuit board or bulb sockets. LED versions have a printed circuit; older lamps use twist-in bulb sockets (1157, 2057, or 7443 types depending on year).
• Gasket & vents. Keep moisture out while letting heat escape.

Safety & Regulations

• U.S. rules come from FMVSS 108, which lists color (red or amber), brightness, and height limits.
• LED stop lamps light up about 0.25-0.35 seconds faster than old bulbs, giving the driver behind up to 30 feet more stopping room at highway speed.
• NHTSA found drivers react quicker to bright, high-mounted LED arrays in rear-end tests.
• Damaged tail lights raise repair bills after low-speed crashes because other vehicles can strike unprotected lamps; IIHS crash work highlights the issue.

Materials & Technology

• Acrylic lens. Resists UV yellowing better than polycarbonate, so rear lamps stay clear longer than headlamps.
• Sealed LEDs. 2019-up Santa Fe uses surface-mount LEDs, reducing bulb changes and drawing less current.
• Reflector vs. projector. Base trims use reflector LEDs; top trims add "through-bar" LED strips for a continuous light band.
• Water sealing. Factory vents equalize pressure; clogged vents can cause condensation inside the rear light.

Common Problems

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Troubleshooting & Fuses

The tail lights share circuits with interior and trailer lighting. If both lamps go dark:

1. Switch off the SUV and open the driver-side fuse box.
2. Pull the 10 A "T/ SIG" or "ROOM LP" fuse (label varies by model) and check the metal strip.
3. Replace only with the same rating. An oversize fuse can melt wiring.
4. If the fuse is fine but brake lights stay out, your VIN may be covered by the Hyundai stop-lamp-switch recall. Check at NHTSA.gov.

DIY Replacement

Follow the basic steps; details can change by year.

1. Open the lift-gate.
2. Remove two Phillips screws holding the lamp.
3. Grab the housing and pull straight back-there is a hidden clip.
4. Twist out the bulb socket or unplug the LED harness.
5. Swap the bulb or snap in a new lamp.
6. Test running, brake, turn, and backup lights before tightening screws.

Tip: Coat bulb bases with dielectric grease to stop corrosion.

Maintenance & Cleaning

• Wash lenses with car-wash soap, not harsh chemicals.
• A haze on older acrylic can be polished with plastic polish to restore shine.
• Keep vents clear-compressed air can unclog tiny breathers.

Upgrade Options

• LED retrofit bulbs for 2001-2018 models give faster response and draw less power. Confirm CAN-bus compatibility to avoid hyper-flash.
• Add a flashing module to the center high mount stop light (legal in many U.S. states) to cut rear-end crashes.
• Film tint: Check local laws-FMVSS allows only "no color darker than stock red."

Driving Tips

• Check all rear lights once a month. A burned-out bulb can bring a ticket and lowers safety.
• Keep cargo clear of the inner lift-gate lamps on split-gate models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulbs fit a 2007 Santa Fe tail light?
A: It uses 1157 dual-filament bulbs for the stop/tail and 1156 or 7440 for turn signals, depending on factory build. Always compare the old part number.

Q: Are LED tail lights plug-and-play on older models?
A: LED bulbs fit the socket, but you may need load resistors to stop rapid flashing.

Q: How fast do LEDs light up compared to bulbs?
A: Tests show LEDs can alert drivers behind you about a third of a second sooner-roughly one car length at 65 mph.

Q: My 2012 Santa Fe tail lights quit together. What now?
A: Check the 10 A tail-lamp fuse first; if good, contact Hyundai about the stop-lamp-switch recall (13V113).

Q: Can I drive with a cracked tail lamp if bulbs still work?
A: No. FMVSS 108 requires an intact red lens. Cracks let white light leak out and can get you a citation.

Q: Why don't Santa Fe tail lights turn cloudy like headlights?
A: They use acrylic lenses that resist UV haze better than polycarbonate head-lamp covers.

Q: Where is the fuse for the rear lights on a 2022 model?
A: Look in the driver-side bolster panel; the diagram inside the cover shows the tail-lamp fuse. (ManualsLib)

Q: Water keeps pooling inside my lift-gate lamp-fix?
A: Replace the rear-lamp gasket and clear the vent tube; trapped water can short the PCB.

Q: Are rear fog lights standard?
A: U.S. Santa Fe models do not include a rear fog lamp, but many export trims do.