Fits: 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 (XA50), all trims and powertrains including Hybrid and Prime.
This is a four-piece set. Two curved lamps sit on the rear quarter panels and two flat lamps sit on the tailgate, and all four are replaced together. The tailgate lamps take the most disassembly, so set aside a couple of hours and keep the fasteners sorted by panel.
Required Tools
- Ratchet
- 10mm socket
- Pry bar or plastic trim tool
- Cable ties for the link wiring
Part 1: Remove the Quarter Panel Lamps
- Remove the side trim panel beside the quarter panel lamp. The arrows in the photo mark where the clips are.
- Use the 10mm socket to undo the two screws holding the quarter panel lamp.
- Use the pry bar to release the fixing buckle above the side trim panel.
- Use the 10mm socket to undo the fixing screw in the lower side trim panel.
- Fold the trunk mat inward and pry out the center trim panel in the trunk floor. The arrows mark the clip positions.
- Pry up the trunk side trim panel and pull out the quarter panel lamp's wiring plug.
- Draw the lamp backwards in the direction of the arrow. The point the arrow starts from is a ball joint, so it releases with a pop rather than sliding out.
- The other side comes off exactly the same way.
Part 2: Remove the Tailgate Lamps
- Remove the small center trim panel first (red area), then the side trim panel held by clips (yellow arrows).
- Use the 10mm socket to undo the two fixing screws in the blue area. Both sides are the same.
- Use the 10mm socket to undo the screws and take out the trunk armrest. Both sides are the same.
- Pry out the center trim panel inside the tailgate. Clips hold it where the red arrows point.
- Use the 10mm socket to undo the four fixing nuts holding the emblem trim panel.
- Undo the three fixing nuts at the red arrows, then pull out the tail light power connector at the blue arrow.
- Take the emblem trim off first, then pull the flat lamp out with both hands, moving perpendicular to the tailgate. The point marked by the arrow is a ball-and-socket clip.
- The other side comes off exactly the same way.
- Pry up the trunk side trim panel and run the supplied connecting wires along the path shown in the diagram, passing them through the rubber grommet. Secure them with cable ties.
Part 3: Install the New Lamps
- Pass the lamp harness connector and its switch through the sheet metal hole into the body, then press the sheet metal plug firmly into the body panel.
- Fit the quarter panel lamp onto the body sheet metal.
- Mate the harness connectors, then tighten the two fixing screws with the 10mm socket.
- Fit the flat lamp to the tailgate, lining up the ball joint and the clip positions. Take care not to trap the rubber weather strip as the lamp goes on.
- Tighten the three fixing screws with the 10mm socket.
- Mate the lamp's wiring connector with the vehicle's main harness plug to finish that lamp. Both sides are the same.
Test before the trim goes back on. With all four lamps connected, switch the vehicle on and check the running lights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights and the startup animation. Confirm the quarter panel and tailgate sections are in step with each other.
- Refit the emblem trim, lining its clips up with the sheet metal and with the flat lamp. Again, do not trap the rubber strip.
- Tighten the four nuts with the 10mm socket to finish the emblem trim.
- Tidy the wiring, then refit the tailgate trim panel, the trunk armrest and the quarter panel side trim.
Connector Reference
If you need to identify a plug on the back of a lamp, this diagram shows the connector layout and wire functions for the set.
Common Issues and Solutions
Tail light does not turn on after installation. Check that the harness connectors are fully seated. Inspect the pins inside each connector; if any are bent, carefully straighten them with a small precision tool and reconnect securely.
One section works and the other does not. The quarter panel and tailgate lamps are joined by the connecting wires fitted in Step 17. Check both ends of those wires, including where they pass through the rubber grommet.
Swap test. If a lamp still does not work, swap the left and right units to find out whether the issue is the light itself or the vehicle wiring.
Condensation inside the tail light. Temperature differences can cause light condensation, which is normal. Once the light has been on for a while and the internal temperature stabilizes, the moisture clears on its own. It does not affect brightness, performance, or lifespan.
