Replacing the tail lights on your Buick is an easy form of vehicle maintenance. If you complete the replacement yourself, you can typically keep the costs between $30 and $95 per light.

Tail lights are one of the most crucial safety features of your vehicle. They allow other drivers to appropriately gauge the size and location of your vehicle, particularly in low visibility and inclement weather conditions. As such, knowing how to replace a fried bulb or shattered lens will save you from expensive citations,

car repair

costs, and accidents.

For a step-by-step guide on the Buick tail light replacement process, the

car insurance

comparison app

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has compiled everything you need to know. In this guide, we’ll run through the costs, tools needed, steps for replacement, and options for insurance coverage—we'll even help you save on

Buick insurance costs

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How to replace a Buick tail light

Cost: $30 to $95, but some as high as $150

Time: 30 minutes

Tools needed: Protective gloves, nut driver

Difficulty: Easy

Replacing your tail lights is a fairly straightforward process and doesn’t require the help of a mechanic. Before you get cited by a traffic officer or cause an accident on the road, let’s look at how to complete a tail light replacement.

The first step in tail light replacement is to determine the cause of the problem so that you can appropriately address the issue. Unless a notable incident occurred that damaged your tail light, you can troubleshoot the root of the issue to find the best method of repair.

If both of your tail lights are out, this can usually be attributed to a blown fuse, while electrical failure may be the result of a loose wire.

If both the fuse and wiring appear to be in good shape, the bulbs are the likely culprit of your problem.

To replace the bulbs in your tail lights, you can follow these simple steps to get your Buick back in working order:

Open the trunk of your Buick and find the seven nuts underneath the trunk line. There should be three on each end of the lid and one in the middle.

Remove each nut using a nut driver.

Hold the trunk lid at the height of your chest and pull the rear tail light assembly away from the trunk lid.

Locate and remove the burnt-out bulbs.

Insert new bulbs into the socket. Remember to wear gloves while replacing bulbs!

Test the lights before reassembling.

Replace the tail light assembly by aligning the studs with the predrilled holes in the trunk lid and refasten the seven nuts.

You’re all set! If after completing the replacement process your tail lights still aren’t functioning properly, don’t hesitate to bring your car to a mechanic to further troubleshoot the problem.

Key takeaway Replacing your tail lights is a straightforward process and can be completed without the help of a mechanic.

Commons reasons for Buick tail light malfunctions

For many drivers, broken tail lights are the result of an obvious incident or accident. However, in some cases, the cause of the malfunction can be tricky to pinpoint. The most common reasons for a tail light malfunction include:

Burnt-out bulb: Burnt-out bulbs are typically isolated to one bulb at a time, which can make it easier to identify what’s causing your tail light to fail.

Blown fuse: If both bulbs are burnt out, you may be dealing with a blown fuse. In this case, you can bring your car to a mechanic for a fuse replacement.

Faulty wiring: You can check if the tail lamp wiring under the lid of your trunk is disconnected, which will cause the electrical system to fail. To fix this problem, simply reattach any loose wires

Damaged socket: If you notice any discoloration or build-up in the bulb socket, you may have a damaged socket.

Broken control switch: If you’ve ruled out all other common mechanical problems, you may be dealing with a broken control switch.

MORE:

Car loan for Buick 2022

Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?

Car insurance can cover your Buick’s broken tail light, but it’s recommended that you do not use insurance for this repair.

Broken tail lights may be protected by your car insurance policy under

collision coverage

if an accident caused the light to break or

comprehensive coverage

if your light was damaged by another means, such as a natural disaster or vandalism.

If you choose to use insurance to cover the cost of tail light replacement, remember that you will have to

pay your deductible

before insurance kicks in. While this usually saves you money, the cheap cost of tail light replacement may not be worth the potential rate increase of submitting a claim.

If you complete the replacement yourself, you can keep the cost between $30 and $150. If you take your Buick to a body shop, the cost may hike up to $200. In either case, the cost of replacement is considerably less expensive than the average car insurance deductible of $500!

With the high cost of a deductible and insurance rate increase, it usually makes more financial sense to pay for tail light repairs out of pocket instead of going through insurance.

MORE:

When should you not make a car insurance claim?

How to find affordable Buick insurance

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FAQs

How much does it cost to replace a Buick tail light?

The total cost to replace Buick tail lights depends on your specific vehicle and whether or not you do the replacement yourself. On average, the cost ranges between $30 and $95 but could go as high as $150. To find out the exact cost of replacement for your vehicle, you can check the cost of your Buick’s replacement parts.

Can you replace tail lights yourself?

Yes! Replacing your tail lights is an easy form of car maintenance and usually doesn’t require any special tools.

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