Toyota Tacoma Tail Lights

• The tail light is an automotive lighting component that’s found at the rear of a vehicle.
• Tail lights serve as a visual warning to vehicles driving behind you that your truck is ahead.
• These lights are critical for road safety at night and in poorly-lit areas.
• The tail light is an assembly that consists of the brake light, indicators, and the actual tail light. The tail lights typically switch on along with the headlights.
• Toyota Tacoma tail lights are categorized by its light source: halogen and LED.
• Tail lights for your Toyota Tacoma pickup truck usually cost around $90 to $850.
• Two primary signs of a failing tail light are flickering or dimming of the light.
• Without a properly working tail light, rear-end collisions are more likely to occur due to distance miscalculation.

Toyota introduced the Tacoma as a replacement for the Hilux in the midsize pickup truck segment. Production of the first-generation model began in 1995, sparking Toyota’s efforts in meeting and surpassing the standards of Canadian and American car buyers. 

The current Tacoma borrows design cues from the 4Runner and Tundra. In 2018 alone, the Toyota Tacoma experienced a boost in sales of up to 24%. It sold a total of 245,000 units—overtaking the Ford Ranger around that time.

The Toyota Tacoma exhibits interesting design elements from its exterior, to the little details in the interior. Among the components that give it character are the tail lights. Here’s what you need to know about them.

The tail light is an automotive lighting component that’s found at the rear of a vehicle. It is universally colored red to signal caution or simply “stop.” Unlike the headlights and fog lights, the tail light isn’t meant to illuminate the vehicle’s rear vicinity. 

These lights serve as a visual warning to vehicles, specifically those driving behind you, that your truck is ahead. The tail light also acts as a reference point for estimating the distance between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. These lights are critical for road safety at night and in poorly-lit areas.

The tail light is an assembly that consists of the brake light, indicators, and the actual tail light. The tail lights usually switch on along with the headlights because the two are wired to work together. The light emitted by the tail light gets brighter when you step on the brake pedal, not because the bulb radiates stronger but because the brake light bulbs activate.

Tail lights can be categorized based on which light source it uses. There are three common light bulb types in the market today, Halogen, LED, and HID. For the Tacoma, our website offers Halogen and LED. Here’s the difference between the two.

Halogen bulb

Halogen is the cheapest option in the market if you are planning on buying a replacement for your vehicle. This type of light bulb uses halogen gas mixed with tungsten-halogen filaments. Its price makes it a popular choice for people who want an affordable replacement part. However, the lifespan of halogen bulbs are relatively shorter than LEDs and HIDs.

LED bulb

A good alternative to halogen bulbs is LED or light-emitting diode bulbs. LEDs last longer than halogen light sources. The reason behind its efficiency is because LEDs don’t burn hot, allowing it to be illuminated for a longer time. It also casts a brighter and more concentrated light.

There are three generations of the Toyota Tacoma, each with its own distinct design. To help in your search for the right tail light, be sure to indicate the year, make, and model of your truck on our website’s search tab.

Tail lights for the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck usually cost around $90 to $850. Items are sold individually, in sets, and in kits. There are tons of color finishes to choose from including amber, clear, and smoked lenses. Tail light assembly interiors also come in black and chrome. You may also purchase a tail light with or without bulbs. You could also choose between buying a straight OE replacement or a performance upgrade.

Two primary signs of a failing tail light are flickering or dimming of the light. To check, you can ask someone to stand outside your vehicle as you switch your lights on or engage the brakes. You may also back up close enough to your garage’s wall to see the light’s reflection through your mirrors. Don’t hesitate to pay your mechanic a visit once you start noticing an issue with your tail light.

Replacing a failing tail light is critical to road safety. Without a properly working tail light, rear-end collisions are more likely to occur due to distance miscalculation. Having only one working tail light could also give other drivers the impression that a motorcycle is in front of them instead of a truck. Lastly, having a pair of functioning tail lights prevents serious road accidents resulting from from miscalculated overtaking maneuvers.