Remove 2001 Forester tail light (1/4 panel, not hatch light)

Open the assembly and dry it. I would do so in full sun on a in low humidity and add a clear silicone sealant around the wire connection harness and around the rim of the light cover. The one around the light cover should be thin. If it is still happening, dry it again and place a small amount of baking soda in the assembly. It will settle to the lowest point and should absorb moisture.

If the 2003 is like my 2002 Sienna and you are trying to replace the light within the hatch, then you have to access this light assembly through the rear interior panel. You can not remove the lens or the light assembly from the exterior of the vehicle. This really did take about 10 minutes.
Step 1 - remove the 2 screws from the hatch back handle by flipping the covers down to access the screws. Insert a screw driver about 1/16 of an inch into the top of each end of the handle to flip the covers down. This will expose the screws.
Step 2 - Use a socket drive wrench to remove the 10 mm screw from each end of the handle.
Step 3 - Use a screw driver to slide the cover up and off of the retaining clip on the left (drivers) side of the rear panel and remove the 10 mm screw from the clip.
Step 4 - Now the only thing holding the back interior panel on is about nine plastic clips. Carefully pull the panel away from the door starting at the bottom where the handle was removed. Work your way across the bottom and up the left side popping each of the snaps loose. Move back to the right and in my case the panel fell off in my hands. I was able to remove and replace the light with ease at this point.

Tail Lamp Assembly Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Open the rear compartment.
2. If equipped, disconnect the cargo net.
3. Remove the wingnut and pull back the rear compartment trim panel.
4. Remove the wingnuts from the tail lamp assembly.
5. Remove the tail lamp assembly from the rear body panel.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the tail lamp assembly.
7. Remove the tail lamp socket by turning counterclockwise.
8. Remove the side marker lamp socket by turning counterclockwise.

To Install:

1. Install the side marker lamp socket by turning clockwise.
2. Install the tail lamp socket by turning clockwise.
3. Connect the electrical connector to the tail lamp assembly.
4. Position the tail lamp assembly to the rear body panel.
5. Install and secure the wingnuts that attach the tail lamp assembly to the body panel.
6. Position the rear trim panel to the rear compartment. Install and secure the wingnut.
7. If equipped, connect the cargo net.
8. Close the rear compartment.

Look inside the rear hatch area near the very rear of the vehicle. You should find a removable panel near the brake light housing. After you carefully remove the panel, look for some plastic wingnuts that hold the light housing in, and remove them, you should not need any tools to do this. After the nuts are removed you should be able to gently remove the tail light assembly from the rear of the car. Becareful not to damage the wiring. Now look at the back side of the tail lamp assembly and look for a locking tab on the light socket. Depress the locking tab and twist the light socket about a quarter turn, then pull the light socket away from the light housing. Pull the bulb out and replace it. Then reassemble and your done.

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Open your hatch and behind the tail lights you will see panels with plastic knobs you can unscrew. Behind there are 3 8mm nuts you need to unscrew which will let you remove the whole tail light assembly. There is a post on the actual tail light assembly that holds it in so you may have to give it a firm pull to actually seperate it from the car. If you have the stock infinity sub you will need to remove that first to get to the drivers side tail lamp.

open up the hatch and go inside and remove the panel close to the light and remove the nuts or screws to get access to the bulb inside the light assembly

left tail light is not real. Have a look under boomper. Ther is no kable. Is only one tile light in most of cars.

First you need to lift the hatch. There are two screws under plastic caps. Remove the caps and you will be able to unscrew these screws. Carefully using a flat screw driver to pry out the tail light assembly. It have to plastic pin that attached to the car body. do not break the pin. After you pry out the tail light assembly, you will be able to replace the light bulb. Replace everything in a reverse order.

For the brake light open the rear hatch and check beside the tail light. I believe ther is 2 phillips head screws right where the light meets the rear hatch on the body panel. remove them and gently yet firmly pull the lens assembly from the corner of the rear body panel. Squeeze the clips on the back of the socket and twist to remove the socket from the lens. Push gently on the bulb and turn carefully to remove light from the socket replace the light and reverse removal procedure to install.