Buy Lexus RX450h Tail Light Assembly

Overview

The Lexus RX450h tail light-also called a tail lamp, rear light, rear combination lamp, or brake-light assembly-is the red-and-clear fixture on each corner of the SUV's lift-gate. Models built for 2010-2015 use standard bulbs, while the 2016 refresh introduced wrap-around LED clusters that shine brighter and switch on faster, helping following drivers stop up to 19 ft sooner at highway speed. (Lexus USA Newsroom, www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov) All versions must follow Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) for color, brightness, and sideways visibility. (NHTSA, NHTSA) An official bulletin notes that some 2019-2022 hybrids can develop a gap where the lamp touches the body, leading to chipped paint; Lexus supplies shims to cure it. Typical failures you might see are blown fuses, cracked lenses, or moisture inside the housing. (ManualsLib, ClubLexus) A shop usually charges about one hour of labor ($95 ±), while the part itself ranges from $100 - $300 for a full assembly and under $25 for a single bulb. (YourMechanic, Mechanic Base) LED lamps also cut power use by up to 90 % compared with older bulbs, saving energy and battery drain. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Compatibility

• 2006-2015 (AL10 chassis) - Bulb-type outer and inner tail lamps.
• 2016-2022 (AL20 chassis) - LED outer lamps; separate LED inner lamps on lift-gate.
• RX450h L (three-row, 2018-2022) - Same outer lamp; longer inner lamp to fit the taller hatch. (Wikipedia, Lexus USA Newsroom)
  Left (driver) and right (passenger) sides are mirror images; each vehicle uses four individual assemblies (two per side) plus small serviceable bulbs or LED boards.

Key Features

• LED technology: quicker light-up improves reaction time by about 0.2 s, shrinking stopping distance. (www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov)
• L-shaped design: wraps around the fender so the lamp can be seen from behind and the side. (Lexus USA Newsroom)
• Integrated functions: stop, tail, turn, reverse, and rear-fog (in some markets) share one module.
• Weather seals: foam gaskets keep water out; cracked seals lead to condensation issues. (ClubLexus)

Safety Rules

FMVSS 108 says tail lamps must emit red light and remain visible 45° left and right of center. (NHTSA) Replacement parts-factory or aftermarket-must meet the same photometry so they do not blind or mislead other drivers. (NHTSA) Never tint a lamp so dark that the diode can't be seen day or night; that may violate state law and cause inspection failure.

Common Problems

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Troubleshooting

1. Check fuses first. The tail-lamp fuse sits in the driver-side dash box; use the puller provided. (ManualsLib)
2. Inspect bulbs or LED board. Remove the trunk trim and three 10 mm nuts to free the housing.
3. Look for moisture. Dry with a hair dryer, then add a thin bead of sealant along the lens seam. (ClubLexus)
4. Test wiring. A multimeter should read 12 V on the brown tail-light wire when the lights are on.

DIY Install

You only need a trim tool, 10 mm socket, and gloves.

1. Fold back the cargo-area carpet.
2. Remove the nuts and wiggle the lamp straight out.
3. Swap bulbs or plug in the new LED assembly.
4. Test brake, turn, and reverse functions before tightening. (Instructables)
   Most owners finish in 15-30 minutes.

Maintenance Tips

• Wash the lens with car-shampoo, not glass cleaner, to avoid haze.
• Keep gasket channels clean; dirt can break the seal.
• Check operation at least once a month-press the brake pedal and view the reflection in a window or ask a friend.

Upgrade Ideas

• Sequential turn signals add moving light for style-be sure the kit is SAE/DOT compliant.
• Smoked lenses match dark trim but must still pass the brightness test.
• LED reverse bulbs boost night backing visibility with little extra draw.

Costs

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DIY swaps cut labor costs to zero, but use a torque wrench so you don't crack the housing.

Environmental Benefits

LEDs last up to 25 x longer and use about one-tenth the power of old-style bulbs, reducing waste and saving fuel by easing the hybrid's electrical load. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of RX450h have LED tail lights?
A: All 2016-2022 models, including the RX450h L, ship with full LED rear lamps. (Lexus USA Newsroom)

Q: Can I fit 2016+ LED lamps on a 2010-2015 RX450h?
A: Not easily. The shape, wiring, and mounting points changed with the new body style. Custom body work and rewiring would be required.

Q: Why is only one side out?
A: Check that side's 10 A tail or stop fuse, and inspect the lamp connector for corrosion. (ManualsLib)

Q: Is condensation inside normal?
A: Brief mist during cold mornings is acceptable, but standing water means the seal is leaking and should be fixed. (ClubLexus)

Q: How tight should I bolt the new lamp?
A: Snug the nuts to about 5 N·m (hand tight); over-tightening can crack the plastic.

Q: Do aftermarket smoked lenses pass inspection?
A: Only if the red stop light still meets FMVSS 108 brightness-test before driving. (NHTSA)

Q: Can LEDs really save energy on a hybrid?
A: Yes. LEDs cut draw by up to 90 %, easing the load on the 12-volt battery and DC-DC converter. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Q: What color should the lamp be?
A: Rear position and stop lights must shine red; turn signals may be red or amber. (NHTSA)

Q: How fast do LEDs light up vs. bulbs?
A: Tests show LEDs reach full brightness about 0.2 seconds sooner-enough to cut 65 mph stopping distance by roughly 19 ft. (www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov)

Q: Has Lexus issued recalls for the tail lamp?
A: No recall, but a technical bulletin covers a fit issue on 2019-2022 vehicles; dealers add shims under warranty.

This guide should help you choose, install, and care for a Lexus RX450h tail light so it stays bright, legal, and long-lasting.