Buy Jeep Grand Cherokee Tail Light Assembly

Links to official standards, recalls, wiring help, and how-to videos are included for deeper study.

Summary

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's tail light system has changed across six generations (ZJ 1993-98, WJ 1999-04, WK 2005-10, WK2 2011-22, WL 2021-present). Newer models use LED combos controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM) instead of simple fused circuits, which improves response time and styling but makes troubleshooting more electronic. U.S. law (FMVSS 108) sets minimum brightness, color, and viewing angles for these rear lamps, and recent recalls show why meeting the standard matters. Condensation bulletins, fuse-box layouts, and bulb charts help owners service the part safely. Common upgrades include plug-in LED bulbs and smoked lenses, yet any change must still follow DOT lighting rules.

Quick Facts

• Purpose - The tail light lets drivers behind you see the Jeep's width, turns, and brakes at night or in bad weather.
• Basic Parts - Outer housing, inner lift-gate lamp (on WK2 & WL), bulbs or LEDs, gasket, harness plug.
• Legal Color - Red running/stop, amber (or red) turn, white reverse, plus side markers.
• Visibility Rule - Lamp must be seen 500 ft away at night and through ±45° horizontally.

Model Timeline

← scroll table horizontally →

Bulb & LED Guide

• 1993-2010 - 3157 (stop/turn), 3156 (reverse).
• 2011-2013 - 7443 for brake/turn, 921 for reverse.
• 2014-2018 - Outer LED board (non-serviceable) + inner 7443.
• 2019-2021 WK2 - All outer functions LED; only reverse bulb (W16W) stays replaceable.
• 2021-present WL - Complete LED module; failures require assembly swap.

A full chart of WK2 fuses-including BCM outputs that feed the rear lamps-appears in the Grand Cherokee fuse-box reference. (Fuse Box)

Common Failures

1. Condensation / Fogging - FCA issued TSB 08-037-22 and 08-112-23 explaining test-and-dry steps before replacement.
2. Side-Marker Outage - Recall 22V-544 on 98 k vehicles fixed cracked LED markers that stopped lighting.
3. Broken Mount Tabs - Outer lamp held by two Torx bolts; overtightening can snap the plastic.
4. BCM Driver Fault - No fuse feeds the tail lamp directly on 2014+; loss of one side may trace back to BCM transistor.

Diagnostics

• No Tail Lights - Check if park lamps work; scan BCM for B16xx codes; inspect ground G302 near spare-tire well.
• Moisture - Warm lamp 60 min; if beads remain, seal breach exists per TSB.
• Fuse Check - WK2 tail functions run through Integrated Power Module; review layout chart for F22/F23 brake feed.

Replacement Steps

1. Open lift-gate; remove two inner screws (10 mm or Torx T30).
2. Rock lamp straight back; don't twist-white locator pins snap easily.
3. Unlock connector tab; for WK2 inner lamp, pop plastic cover and unscrew two Phillips bolts.
4. Swap bulbs or transfer foam gasket to new housing.
5. Re-seat pins; torque screws to 3 N·m (hand-tight).
   A video walk-through for 2014-up models shows the process clearly.

Upgrade & Custom

• Plug-in LED bulbs reduce current draw and sharpen on/off time; choose CAN-bus ready types to avoid hyper-flash.
• Smoke or clear lenses must still project red light that meets FMVSS 108 candlepower values.
• EU-style rear fog retrofit uses unused cavities in WL bumper but needs BCM coding.

Safety & Law

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 defines minimum luminous intensity (0.05 cd through ±45°) and requires two steady-burning red tail lamps on every passenger vehicle. Failing to meet the rule prompted FCA's 2022 lamp recall.

Care Tips

• Wash lens with mild soap; avoid ammonia glass cleaner that dulls plastic.
• Keep gasket intact to stop water leaks.
• After off-road mud, remove lamp to rinse debris behind housing.

Related Parts

• Inner lift-gate lamp (WK2)
• Body-mounted outer lamp
• Wire harness pigtail
• Tail-lamp gasket kit
• BCM (lights driver)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size fits a 2012 Grand Cherokee tail lamp?
A: Use a 7443 dual-filament bulb for stop/turn plus a 921 reverse bulb. (Fuse Box)

Q: Why do my 2018 tail lights have no fuse?
A: On 2014-up models the BCM supplies power directly, so a blown driver in the module-not a fuse-usually causes loss of one side.

Q: How can I clear lamp fogging without replacing it?
A: Warm the light for 60 minutes with headlamps on; if moisture clears, the seal is good per FCA TSB 08-112-23.

Q: Are smoked tail lights legal?
A: They're legal only if brightness and visibility angles still meet FMVSS 108 for red tail lamps.

Q: What recall affects 2021-22 WL tail lamps?
A: Recall 22V-544 fixed cracked side-marker LEDs that could go dark.

Q: Do U.S. WL models have rear fog lamps?
A: No. U.S. versions leave those bumper spots empty, though wiring bosses exist for export markets.

Q: Can I swap LED lamps onto a 2010 WK?
A: Only with custom wiring or aftermarket kits; the housings and plugs differ from halogen WK units.

Q: What torque for tail-lamp bolts?
A: About 3 N·m (2.2 lb-ft)-snug by hand-prevents cracking the mount.

Q: How do I test the BCM output?
A: Back-probe the tail-lamp control wire; should read battery voltage with lights on.

Q: Will an error canceler be needed after LED bulb swap?
A: Many 2011-13 Jeeps need a CAN-bus LED or load resistor to stop dash warnings.

Further reading:

• Watch a full-length replacement video on YouTube for 2014-up models.
• Review the official recall notice for damaged LED side markers.
• Study the complete fuse layout for 2011-21 Grand Cherokees.