Buy Mazda 6 Tail Light Assembly

Fast Facts

The Mazda 6 tail light-also known as the rear combination lamp, rear lamp, or brake-light assembly-keeps drivers behind you informed whenever you slow, stop, or signal. Beginning with the 2016 model year, every Mazda 6 left the factory with LED tail lamps for faster illumination and longer life (mazda6club.com). All three generations of the sedan/hatch use two main housing positions: an "outer" lamp on the quarter-panel and an "inner" lamp on the trunk lid. Fuse #25 (15 A) in the engine-bay box protects both lamps, so a blown fuse can darken the whole rear end . Condensation inside the lens is usually harmless and clears on its own, but visible water drops that stay longer than 24 hours point to a bad seal and merit replacement (static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov). Swapping the assembly is a 20-minute job with a 10 mm socket and a trim tool; no special electronics programming is needed . Every replacement lamp must still meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 for brightness, color, and visibility angles .

Part Basics

What it does - The tail light houses the running light, stop light, rear turn signal, and reverse light. Some years integrate rear fog or side-marker bulbs (owners-manual.mazda.com).
Common synonyms - tail lamp, rear light assembly, rear combination lamp, brake-light housing.
Materials - UV-resistant polycarbonate lens bonded to an ABS plastic shell with a butyl rubber seal .

Generations

• 2003-2008 (GG) - Uses conventional 7443/7440 incandescent bulbs. Factory part numbers GR6J-51-150 (outer) and GR6J-51-160 (inner) .
• 2009-2013 (GH) - Revised styling plus optional LED running lights on higher trims (news.mazdausa.com).
• 2014-2017 (GJ/GL pre-facelift) - New two-piece "sword" lens. Halogen stop/running bulbs (W21/5W) but LED center strip in Grand Touring models .
• 2016-present (LED era) - All trims switch to full LED arrays; outer lamp part GMN3-51-160 and inner lamp GJR9-51-160A/8DG9-51-160 depending on year .

Light Types

Halogen bulbs glow by heating a filament, draw roughly 5 W each, and last 1-2 years (owners-manual.mazda.com). LEDs use solid-state diodes that illuminate 0.2 seconds faster and last 10-plus years while consuming about 1 W . Mazda designs its LED boards as sealed units-if one diode fails, replace the whole lamp.

Common Issues

• Burnt bulb or diode - One side darker or brake light inactive.
• Condensation - Fine mist that clears with warmth is normal; pooled water means seal failure (static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov).
• Moisture-caused corrosion - Socket terminals turn green and drop voltage .
• Internal crack - Impacts or UV aging create spider cracks in the lens, letting dirt in .
• Blown fuse or faulty brake-switch - Both lamps out; dash indicator on .

Maintenance

Wash lenses with mild car-wash soap, not glass cleaner, to preserve the UV coating. A thin bead of clear silicone at the housing seam after bulb service keeps water out . Inspect gaskets each oil change.

Replacement Guide

1. Open trunk and pull back the felt liner.
2. Unclip the bulb harness plug.
3. Remove three 10 mm nuts (torque to 4 N·m on re-install) .
4. Wiggle lamp straight back-avoid twisting to protect locator pins.
5. Reverse steps; test brake and turn signals before closing trunk.

Safety Rules

FMVSS 108 requires red stop/turn illumination and minimum 80 cd intensity visible 100 m behind the car . Local laws often ban tinted or "smoked" lamps that lower brightness by more than 20 %. Always keep amber turn signal bulbs amber.

Fitment Tips

Match the last eight digits of your VIN to the dealer's catalog or the etched part number on your old lamp. Sedan and wagon outer lamps differ in shape; inner lamps differ between models with and without power trunk release .

Upgrade Ideas

LED retrofit bulb kits for 2003-2013 cars fit the 7443 socket and avoid hyper-flash by pairing them with a load-equalizing resistor . Sequential turn modules are popular on enthusiast forums but must still flash 60-120 times per minute to stay legal (mazda6club.com).

Troubleshooting

← scroll table horizontally →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size fits the 2014 Mazda 6 outer tail light?
A: It uses a W21/5W dual-filament halogen bulb; many owners upgrade to an LED 7443 equivalent for longer life (owners-manual.mazda.com).

Q: Are 2016-2025 Mazda 6 tail lights already LED?
A: Yes-Mazda made full LED rear combination lamps standard starting with the 2016 model year (mazda6club.com).

Q: How do I clear condensation?
A: Remove one bulb and blow cool air inside for 5-10 minutes; if moisture returns or pools, replace the lamp to stop water entry (static.nhtsa.gov).

Q: Is it legal to tint tail lights?
A: Only if light output and color still meet FMVSS 108; most dark tints fail photometry tests and can draw tickets .

Q: Which fuse controls the tail lamps?
A: Fuse #25 (15 A) in the engine-bay box on 2014-2025 cars; older models use fuse #15 in the cabin panel .

Q: Do sedan and wagon lamps interchange?
A: No-the outer housings are shaped differently, though the wiring harness is the same .

Q: What torque spec for the mounting nuts?
A: Tighten each 10 mm nut to about 4 N·m (35 in-lb) to avoid cracking the housing .

Q: Can I drive with one tail light out?
A: It's unsafe and illegal in most states because the vehicle is no longer displaying a required signal .

Q: How long do LEDs last?
A: Factory LEDs are rated for 10 years or 30 000 hours of use-often longer than the vehicle's life .

Q: My brake lights stay on-what now?
A: Check the pedal-mounted brake-light switch; if stuck, replace the switch (inexpensive and takes 10 minutes) .