Hyundai Elantra Brake Light Bulb Replacement Guide
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Learn how to replace the Brake Light Bulb on the Hyundai Elantra model in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
At a Glance
- Vehicle: 2011 to 2016 Hyundai Elantra
- Bulb: 2357 (as listed in this guide); confirm with the old bulb
- Tools: 10mm deep socket and ratchet
- Access: Remove three 10mm nuts inside the trunk and pull the tail light out
- All brake lights out: Suspect the brake light switch or fuse, not the bulbs
- Time: About 15 minutes
What you will need
- 2357 28W Bulb
- 10 mm deep socket
- Ratchet wrench
Procedure
How to change the brake light on a Hyundai Elantra.
- Open trunk.
- Remove the cover and access the back of the tail light assembly.
- Disconnect the electrical wire. Remove three 10 mm nuts that hold the tail light in place. Now, you should be able to pull the rear tail light assembly from the body of your Elantra.
- Remove the brake light socket by turning it counterclockwise. The socket click will be heard. Pull the socket out.
- Remove the brake light bulb from the socket by pulling it out. Be careful not to break the bulb.
- Install the new brake light bulb into the socket.
- Reinstall the socket into the tail light assembly. Align the three tabs on the socket with the three slots in the brake light assembly. Twist the socket clockwise to lock it into the tail light assembly.
- Reinstall the brake light assembly. Tighten the three 10 mm bolts. Don’t overtighten them to avoid damage.
Check the brake lights’ fuse if your Hyundai Elantra brake lights don’t work after replacing the light bulb. If the light doesn’t work, follow this guide on how to read fault codes from Hyundai vehicles.
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All the brake lights out at once is the switch
Bulbs fail one at a time. If none of the brake lights come on, including the high level light in the rear window, the bulbs are almost certainly fine and the brake light switch above the pedal has failed. It is an inexpensive part and a common failure on the Elantra. Worth knowing: with that switch dead the car may also refuse to shift out of park and the cruise control will stop working, because both systems read the same switch.
A failing brake light switch can also disable cruise control or keep the car from shifting out of Park. A scan tool such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro can show live brake switch status on supported models, so you can confirm the switch before replacing it.
Do not touch the glass on a new bulb
Finger oil on the glass creates a hot spot that makes the bulb fail early. Handle it by the metal base or through the packaging, and if you do touch the glass, wipe it with alcohol before fitting. Replace both sides at the same time even if only one has blown, because the other one has done the same mileage and will go soon, usually at the least convenient moment.
Check you have the right bulb and the right lens
The rear cluster uses different bulbs for brake, tail, indicator and reverse, and several of them look alike. A dual filament bulb fitted where a single filament belongs, or the reverse, gives you a light that is permanently on, permanently dim or dead. Take the old one with you or check the number molded on its base rather than matching by eye.
A light that works but is dim or flickers
That is corrosion or a poor ground rather than the bulb. Clean the contacts inside the bulb holder and check the ground wire where it bolts to the body, which is the usual culprit on an older car. Water getting into the cluster through a perished seal causes this and will keep eating bulbs until the seal is replaced.
Get someone to confirm it works
Before you put the trim back, have someone press the brake pedal while you look, or reverse up to a wall or garage door at night and watch the reflection. Driving with a brake light out is both a safety risk and something you can be stopped for, and it is the kind of fault you will never notice from the driver seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brake light bulb does a 2011 to 2016 Elantra use?
This guide uses a 2357 bulb. Check the old bulb or your owner’s manual to confirm for your car.
Do I have to remove the tail light to change the brake bulb?
Yes. Remove three 10mm nuts inside the trunk, pull the tail light out, then twist out the bulb socket.
Why are all my brake lights out?
If every brake light is out, the brake light switch or its fuse is far more likely than several bulbs failing at once.
Why is my new brake light dim or flickering?
A corroded socket, a poor ground or the wrong bulb type can cause dim or flickering lights.
Related Guides
- Hyundai Sonata Brake Signal Light Bulb and Parking Light Replacement
- 2010 to 2015 Hyundai Elantra Replace Interior Light Bulb
- Hyundai Elantra Marker Light Bulb Replacement Guide
- 2011 to 2016 Hyundai Elantra License Plate Light Bulb Replacement
The tutorial was helpful for removing screws and assembly. However, the title is How to replace Brake Light Bulb and refers to brake light all the way through. In my Hyundai Elantra 2013 the orange socket is the turn signal and the bulb is amber. The brake light socket is gray and about 4 inches to the left. Whoops. glad I had a friend helping out
Nora
Walnut Creek CA