THANKS for your video! We have a 2016 Highlander. Those white pins do not hold the taillight on, but next to that 10mm metal nut there is a metal retainer pin that needs to be pulled out from its housing to fully remove the taillight. Be careful to hold on to those plastic 10mm nuts on the side so they don't slide into the frame. Removing the panel is not too hard, but putting it back in is a pain. After removing all the water from the taillights, seal completely around the seam of the housing and lens with a good clear silicone and you've saved an expensive taillight replacement. I did the whole operation in about 3 hours. So far, the patient is doing well.
Thank you for posting, tried replacing mine the other day but once I popped those covers and got a look inside I was worried I was not going to be able to remove the whole trim piece correctly as I thought it had to slide on/off hahaha. Will give it another go now, Cheers.
I have a 2015 and had 1 taillight that had this issue so i took the smallest drill bit i had (size of pencil lead) and put i tiny whole on inside bottom corner from the bottom side. Water drained out and condensation disappeared. Much easier and worked great
@@aomaintenance i havent had any issues since doing so during summer vehicle washed on a weekly basis and live in Oregon where it rains on a regular...lol just hit it on that inside corner of chrome area up from the bottom side and watch it drain
Thanks for the video. I had a tail light on my 2017 replaced under warranty. Now that its out, the two backup lights both have water in them. Your video is really a good one. Not sure if I'll try the weep hole method or pull them and silicone the edges. This is an awful flaw on an otherwise great vehicle. Toyota should have had everyone's back.
Very happy you found it helpful. If I run into this problem again I’m leaning towards the weep hole method. I’m surprised as well that they didn’t provide a long term fix on this issue but maybe Toyota figured it doesn’t affect the safe operation of the car. Screw it, we’ll fix it on the next generation.
@@EdGass For the outer light housing on the body, no. Yes, for the portion on the lift gate. ua-cam.com/video/7KveptvlK88/v-deo.htmlsi=SytjsRzXxnaXgcHL
@@EdGass Been a while since I was working on it. I guess theoretically if you could get a wrench behind that panel via the small access panel, it might be possible. Just don’t drop anything
Onye Igbo I can’t say for certain but a 2017 is in the same generation of Highlander as the 2015 and besides the change to the taillights themselves, I dont see any change to body design on the back of the vehicle. The front is a different story. Please don’t take my word for it. I’d recommend joining Toyota Highlander Owners Club on Facebook. Members there may be able to answer your question.
No not exactly. I would guess around the seems or the gaskets in the back. I will be making another video about other possible solutions since I noticed slight condensation return to a assembly I installed about two years ago.
@@the88kid32 Concur with others, very helpful video. My local repair shop quoted $200 labor + $300 part after a $200 diagnostic fee. With your guidance, I gave it a go myself and wasn't as difficult as I anticipated. I actually found that simply removing the bulbs and leaving them out for a few days was sufficient to allow the water to evaporate (it was mid-summer North Carolina heat, may not evaporate so easily in different weather).
I bought a bag of the plastic retainer clips on ebay or amazon for $10 bucks got over a 200 diffrent types. Got a set of plastic panel removers from harbor freight or ebay for cheap.
THANKS for your video! We have a 2016 Highlander. Those white pins do not hold the taillight on, but next to that 10mm metal nut there is a metal retainer pin that needs to be pulled out from its housing to fully remove the taillight. Be careful to hold on to those plastic 10mm nuts on the side so they don't slide into the frame. Removing the panel is not too hard, but putting it back in is a pain. After removing all the water from the taillights, seal completely around the seam of the housing and lens with a good clear silicone and you've saved an expensive taillight replacement. I did the whole operation in about 3 hours. So far, the patient is doing well.
Thank you for posting, tried replacing mine the other day but once I popped those covers and got a look inside I was worried I was not going to be able to remove the whole trim piece correctly as I thought it had to slide on/off hahaha. Will give it another go now, Cheers.
Happy to help. I hope it provided enough insight to get the job done.
Thanks for the walk through. The process on my 2016 Highlander was relatively simple after watching.
I have a 2015 and had 1 taillight that had this issue so i took the smallest drill bit i had (size of pencil lead) and put i tiny whole on inside bottom corner from the bottom side. Water drained out and condensation disappeared. Much easier and worked great
I hear ya. I going with weep hole. Both lights have water. Recent purchase. Then if I have to , go with aftermarket replacement.
@@aomaintenance i havent had any issues since doing so during summer vehicle washed on a weekly basis and live in Oregon where it rains on a regular...lol just hit it on that inside corner of chrome area up from the bottom side and watch it drain
Did you take the assembly out to drill the hole?
Ha ha I did the exact same thing! Been a few years now and forgot I even had that problem
@@jtmoneygreen7043 no I drilled mine right through the lens at the bottom exterior corners. Been years and work's great!
Very helpful just got a 2016 highlander 2 weeks ago for a good deal .only issue was replacing these tail lights.got a pair on ebay for 160 .
Thanks. Let’s us know how they work out for you.
Thanks for the video. I had a tail light on my 2017 replaced under warranty. Now that its out, the two backup lights both have water in them. Your video is really a good one. Not sure if I'll try the weep hole method or pull them and silicone the edges. This is an awful flaw on an otherwise great vehicle. Toyota should have had everyone's back.
Very happy you found it helpful. If I run into this problem again I’m leaning towards the weep hole method. I’m surprised as well that they didn’t provide a long term fix on this issue but maybe Toyota figured it doesn’t affect the safe operation of the car. Screw it, we’ll fix it on the next generation.
Great video man! Now to order the assembly and do this myself rather than pay the mechanic shop $300 to do it. 👍🏾
Glad I could help!
Found this very informative. Made the removal or the panel pretty much painless.
Just replaced mine. Thanks for the instruction!
Great video. Easy job with this instruction! Thanks!
Thanks! Saved me 300 bucks!
Finally a good vodeo. Thanks!
Very helpful! Thank you.
Excellent! Glad you found it helpful!
Helpful video. Thanks!
Do you have to take the whole back panel; off to replace the passenger side outer tail light assembly on the lift gate?
@@EdGass For the outer light housing on the body, no. Yes, for the portion on the lift gate.
ua-cam.com/video/7KveptvlK88/v-deo.htmlsi=SytjsRzXxnaXgcHL
@@EdGass Been a while since I was working on it. I guess theoretically if you could get a wrench behind that panel via the small access panel, it might be possible. Just don’t drop anything
Tank you 2019 highlander
Hello, i want to know if the 2017 tail light can fit the 2015. I light the 2017 back tail light than the 2015
Onye Igbo I can’t say for certain but a 2017 is in the same generation of Highlander as the 2015 and besides the change to the taillights themselves, I dont see any change to body design on the back of the vehicle. The front is a different story. Please don’t take my word for it. I’d recommend joining Toyota Highlander Owners Club on Facebook. Members there may be able to answer your question.
Thanks so much!!
Thanks!
What is the tail light bulb model number???
can u help with corner light
I can make a separate video showing corner light removal. Would that help?
yeah i have replacements and theres like a green wire idk where tht goes
@@atorresphotos1 ua-cam.com/video/7KveptvlK88/v-deo.html
@@atorresphotos1 Hope this helps
Any idea how water got in the assembly ?
No not exactly. I would guess around the seems or the gaskets in the back. I will be making another video about other possible solutions since I noticed slight condensation return to a assembly I installed about two years ago.
Just bought a 14 Highlander with the aquman special. Oddly enough the brake light went out too. Maybe just bad luck. Good vid, thank you!
@@the88kid32 Concur with others, very helpful video. My local repair shop quoted $200 labor + $300 part after a $200 diagnostic fee. With your guidance, I gave it a go myself and wasn't as difficult as I anticipated. I actually found that simply removing the bulbs and leaving them out for a few days was sufficient to allow the water to evaporate (it was mid-summer North Carolina heat, may not evaporate so easily in different weather).
This should be titled “Replace Tail Light Assembly” to avoid confusion with replacing the tail light itself.
Good Point. Thank you
I was thinking the same thing
Uff, that was rough
Run into some issues?
I bought a bag of the plastic retainer clips on ebay or amazon for $10 bucks got over a 200 diffrent types. Got a set of plastic panel removers from harbor freight or ebay for cheap.
That reminds me, I need to do the same.