Buy Scion tC Tail Light Assembly

Scion tC tail lights. tail lamp, rear light, back-lamp assembly, and brake-light cluster.

A Scion tC tail light (the rear combination lamp that houses the running-, brake-, and turn-signal bulbs) must fit tightly in the quarter-panel, shine a steady red light that can be seen 1 000 feet back at night, and stay free of cracks or moisture. Two generations of the sporty hatch (2005-2010 and 2011-2016) share very similar lamp shapes and use common dual-filament 7443/7440 bulbs or LED boards. Replacing the assembly is a simple hand-tool job that takes 15 minutes per side, but drivers should also learn bulb part numbers, torque specs, and state lighting laws so the new rear light stays legal and road-safe.

Overview

The tail lamp sits on each corner of the liftback and contains:

• Running (tail) filament that glows dim red when headlights are on.
• Stop/turn filament that glows brighter for braking or flashes amber/red for signaling.
• Integrated side marker that wraps around for lateral visibility.
  Most aftermarket lenses copy the factory look, but clear-lens or smoked styles need bright red bulbs to stay legal under federal rule FMVSS 108. (eCFR)

Compatibility

• Gen 1 (2005-2010) - chassis code ANT10; uses 12 V 7443 (or 7440) dual-filament bulbs. (AUXITO)
• Gen 2 (2011-2016) - chassis code AGT20; outer lamp also takes 7443/7440. Inner lift-gate lamp is LED on Release Series models. (AUXITO)
• Gasket part No. 81554-21330 seals the lamp to prevent leaks on 2014-2016 cars. (Toyota Parts)

Bulb & LED Options

• Halogen 7443/7440 - cheapest, lasts 500-1 000 h.
• LED retrofit - draws 80 % less power and lights 0.2 s faster, cutting rear-end crashes per NHTSA study. (Crash Statistics)
• Color - must glow true red; blue-tinted LEDs create glare complaints similar to overly bright headlights reported in recent safety news. (Vox)

Installation Steps

1. Open hatch and remove the plastic trim clips.
2. Unbolt the three 10 mm nuts; save the black sealing foam. Torque the nuts to 29 in-lb (3.3 N·m). (yoursciontc.com)
3. Wiggle the lamp straight back; avoid prying the paint.
4. Transfer bulbs or LED harness; check that the tail-lamp fuse (Panel #26, 10 A) is sound. (YouTube)
5. Press in the new lamp, snug the nuts, and test brake-, turn-, and hazard functions. A video walk-through shows the full process in under four minutes. (YouTube)

Common Problems

• Water inside lens - Caused by a torn gasket; drying in a warm oven at 75 °C can clear fog before resealing. (Reddit)
• Rear leak onto carpet - Many tC owners traced hatch leaks to a cracked tail-lamp seal; replacing the lamp or gasket fixes it. (YouTube)
• Burned socket - Over-wattage bulbs overheat the plastic and need a new pigtail; diagrams in the 2005 wiring manual help trace the circuit. (ManualsLib)

Maintenance Tips

• Wash the lens with car-soap; avoid harsh glass cleaners that dull the clear coat.
• If the lens turns hazy, polish it the same way you would a headlight-using plastic polish and a drill pad. (Family Handyman)
• Check for condensation after heavy rain; tiny cracks spread fast.
• Replace both left and right bulbs together so brightness matches.

Legal & Safety

• Federal rule - FMVSS 108 sets photometric requirements for tail lamps and mandates red color, fail-safe wiring, and activation with the head-light switch. (eCFR)
• State example - California Vehicle Code §24600 demands two red tail lights plainly visible from 1 000 ft and mounted 15-72 inches high. (Leginfo)
• Visibility - Dirty or tinted lenses reduce reach; keep the lens clear and use approved SAE/DOT markings.

Performance Upgrades

• LED bar tail lights offer sharper on/off response and custom light pipes. Communities share wiring tips for plug-and-play kits. (yoursciontc.com)
• Sequential turn modules fit inside the lamp; confirm that the flash rate stays within 60-120 flashes per minute to pass inspection.
• Smoked covers look sleek but must not cut visible light output below federal minimums; local law enforcement can ticket dim lamps. (Reddit)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size does my Scion tC tail lamp use?
A: Both generations use a dual-filament 7443 (or 7440) bulb for running and brake/turn functions. (AUXITO, AUXITO)

Q: How long does it take to swap a rear light assembly?
A: About 15 minutes with a 10 mm socket and trim tool-no special skills required. (YouTube)

Q: Why is there water in my back-lamp assembly?
A: A crushed foam gasket lets rain enter. Replace the gasket or the whole lamp to stop leaks. (YouTube)

Q: Are smoked tail lights legal?
A: Only if they still shine red and meet brightness rules in FMVSS 108 and your state code; overly dark lenses can earn a fix-it ticket. (eCFR, Leginfo)

Q: What fuse controls the rear lights?
A: The TAIL 10 A fuse in the interior panel near the driver's kick-panel. (YouTube)

Q: Do LED swaps need resistors?
A: Yes. Resistive load or an LED-safe flasher keeps blink speed correct; otherwise the car thinks a bulb is out. (Reddit)

Q: Can I polish a scratched tail lens?
A: Yes-use plastic polish and a microfiber pad, like cleaning cloudy headlights. (Family Handyman)

Q: What torque should I use on the mounting nuts?
A: Tighten to roughly 29 inch-pounds (3.3 N·m) to avoid cracking the plastic housing. (yoursciontc.com)

Q: Are there recalls on tC tail lamps?
A: No lamp-specific recalls, but Toyota issued a safety recall for optional TRD brake kits on 2011-2016 tC models, unrelated to the rear lights. (NHTSA)

Q: How bright should a tail lamp be?
A: It must remain visible from 1 000 feet on cars built after 1968, per federal and state rules. (Leginfo)

Scion tC rear light assembly and taillight replacement.