How do you replace a tail light bulb on a 2001 Hyundai Elantra?

Answer 1

I just replaced the tail light bulb on my 2003 Elantra, so it may be the same for a 2001 model.

Open the trunk and open the cloth/plastic access cover found behind the tail light assembly. It is wedged in using flaps on three of the sides, but the fourth side is riveted to the trunk liner, so leave it attached on that side. It's flexible enough to act as a hinge and allow the cover to swing open.

You should see the ends of three bolts sticking through the metal part of the trunk. Remove the nuts from the bolts with a 5/16" wrench or socket. There is also a rubber socket that holds a metal post from the assembly, but you do not need to do anything with it, the post just slides out of the socket when you remove the assembly.

Gently pull the assembly away from the car, it may stick a little at first, but don't pull too hard, because the assembly is still wired to the car for power and you don't want to yank the wires out. Locate the back of the dead bulb's socket, and turn the socket until you can pull it out of the assembly. Rotate the bulb to remove it from the socket, and rotate the new bulb back in. Now that you know how to take it apart, just reverse the steps to put the assembly back onto the car.