Buy Toyota 4Runner Tail Light Assembly

Quick Summary

Toyota 4Runner tail lights-also called tail lamps, rear lights, or brake-lamp assemblies-keep drivers behind you aware of your position, braking, and turning. Every 4Runner built since 1984 uses a rear combination lamp, and today's 2025 models include full-LED, sequential-signal units. (Wikipedia, Car and Driver) Common 7443/7440 bulbs fit most 1996-present housings, while factory LEDs are standard on 2024+ trims. (Toyota 4Runner Forum, Toyota 4Runner Forum) U.S. lighting rules come from FMVSS 108, so any replacement must be DOT-compliant. (eCFR

What It Does

A tail light assembly combines the running light, brake light, rear turn signal, reverse light, and side marker into one sealed housing. When you press the brake, the dual-filament 7443 or the LED module brightens instantly-up to 0.3 seconds faster than an old-style bulb, giving cars behind you 15-30 ft more stopping room at highway speed. (NHTSA, NHTSA) It also houses reflectors required by FMVSS 108 to stay visible when the lamps are off. (eCFR)

Fit & Compatibility

← scroll table horizontally →

Tip: The body aperture and three mounting bolts stayed the same from 2010 onward, so aftermarket LED housings marketed for "2010-2024" will also fit early 2025 builds that keep the fifth-gen sheet-metal. (Car and Driver)

Bulbs & LEDs

• Brake/Tail: 7443 (dual-filament) halogen or equivalent LED replacement. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)
• Turn/Reverse (older gens): 7440 single-filament. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)
• Center high-mount stop light: factory LED (non-serviceable on 2010+). (Toyota 4Runner Forum)

LED upgrades draw ~75 % less power, run cooler, and reach full brightness in 5 ms versus ~200 ms for an incandescent. (NHTSA) Make sure the LED you pick is "CAN-bus error-free" to avoid fast-flash or bulb-out warnings.

Common Problems

• Condensation: Light fog inside the lens usually clears after 1 hour of driving with the lamps on, per Toyota's service bulletin; water pooling means the seal failed. (NHTSA)
• Blown fuse: A shorted stereo or trailer-wiring often pops the 10 A "TAIL" fuse, leaving the rear lights and dash lights dark. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)
• Cracked lens: Impacts or UV aging can split the polycarbonate; a crack larger than ½ in can let water reach the circuit board and trigger intermittent outages. (Reddit)

Laws & Safety

FMVSS 108 sets mounting height, color (red brake, amber or red turn), and brightness rules for every tail lamp sold in the U.S. (eCFR) Upgraded housings must display "SAE DOT" on the lens. Sequential turn signals added on 2025 models meet the same timing limits (no slower than 0.2 s for the full sweep). (Toyota) Before installing smoked or tinted lenses, check local state code; many limit VLT (visible light transmission) below 50 %. For recall status, enter your VIN at the NHTSA recall lookup.

Installation Steps

1. Open the tailgate and remove the two 10 mm screws on the lamp's inboard edge.
2. Pull the lamp straight back; hidden pegs release with firm, even pressure (see this video walk-through).
3. Twist each bulb socket counter-clockwise to transfer to the new housing, or plug the new LED harness into the factory connector.
4. Realign pegs and push until flush; torque screws snug-about 4 N·m (hand-tight). (YouTube)
5. Test running, brake, reverse, and turn functions before closing the gate.

Maintenance Tips

• Keep the lens clear with mild car-wash soap; harsh cleaners scratch the UV coating.
• If light mist appears after rain, park in a dry place and turn the lamps on for 60 minutes to evaporate moisture, per the service bulletin. (NHTSA)
• Apply dielectric grease to bulb sockets every two years to prevent corrosion.

Upgrades & Mods

Popular add-ons include full LED housings with sequential turn, smoked lenses, and integrated start-up animations. Many kits are plug-and-play for 2010-2024 trucks; just confirm they carry the SAE stamp for street use. (YouTube) Because LEDs draw less current, a resistor harness may be needed to maintain normal flash speed on 1996-2009 models. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)

Cost Breakdown

• OEM halogen housing (2003-2009): ≈ $140 each plus 0.3 hr labor.
• OEM LED housing (2014-2023): ≈ $250-$320 each.
• Aftermarket LED pair: ≈ $180-$450 depending on brand and features.
• Typical tail-light replacement shows on repair guides as a 0.5-hr job, bringing average shop cost to $200-$350 parts & labor combined. (Kbb.com)

Eco Disposal

Spent halogen bulbs and cracked housings count as "universal waste lamps" under EPA rules; most counties accept them at household hazardous-waste depots. (US EPA) Check your local recycler or use the EPA's lamp-recycling page for drop-off sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years share the same tail-light bolt pattern?
A: All 4Runners from 2010 through early-2025 use the identical three-bolt pattern, so housings interchange. (YouTube)

Q: Can I install LED tail lights on my 2002 4Runner?
A: Yes-choose a 7443 LED bulb or a full LED housing made for 1996-2002 trucks, and add resistors to keep the blink rate normal. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)

Q: Which bulb number fits the brake light?
A: Generations 1996-2023 use 7443 dual-filament; 2025 uses a sealed LED module. (Toyota 4Runner Forum)

Q: Is a little fog inside the lens normal?
A: Light condensation is normal and should clear in about an hour of driving with the lights on. Persistent water means the seal has failed. (NHTSA)

Q: Do I need to reset a warning light after replacement?
A: No reset is required; once the new bulb or LED is working, the dash indicator goes out.

Q: Are smoked tail lights legal?
A: They're legal only if they still meet FMVSS 108 brightness; dark tints that dim the lamp can fail inspection. (eCFR)

Q: How fast are LED brake lights compared with bulbs?
A: Studies show LEDs reach full output about 0.25 s sooner, giving drivers behind you up to 30 ft extra stopping distance at 65 mph. (NHTSA)

Q: How much does a full replacement cost?
A: Expect roughly $250 per side for OEM LED parts, plus ½-hour labor, or under $200 for many quality aftermarket pairs. (Kbb.com)

Q: Will swapping the lamp void my warranty?
A: Using a DOT-approved replacement will not void the vehicle warranty, but damage caused by faulty wiring could.

Q: How do I dispose of old bulbs?
A: Treat them as universal waste lamps-drop them at a local recycling center or hazardous-waste event. (US EPA)