Replacing tail light assembly on 2003 Corolla

You can't remove the lens cover. The tail lights are molded as one piece. If you want to change the bulbs, there should be an access panel inside the truck box right behind the tail lights that gives you access to the bulbs. There are also screws to remove the entire tail light assembly if it needs replacing.

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.

Sorry it's glued together. And you can't just buy a lens cover.

The steps to replace the brake light bulb on a 1996 Toyota Corolla:

The bulb needed is type 1157. After opening the trunk you need to remove the trunk liner on the side (right side for this example)where the brake light bulb is out. The plastic capture grommets hold the liner in place. Once the grommets are removed there is a nut (10mm) that is a bright brass-like color. This needs to be removed. Then on the outside of the trunk on the tail-light lens left side there are two nuts black in color (10mm) they need to be removed. Now the fun starts .... you needto slide the whole assembly back. You will note two black plastic posts on the rear quarter-panel, do not remove these ... these are used to hold the tail-light assembly in place since on the inside of the tail light assembly there are two rod-like protrusions that slide into these brackets. So.... remove the screws and wiggle the assembly back and it "should" slide back so that you can get at the bulb socket hat you twist to remove from the assembly. Now the bulb is visible and you reverse the order of steps to get it all back together .... a miserable design!

You'llhave to raise the rear compartment door fully. Next locat the tailight you wish to replace or same if you are replacing one of the tailigt bulbs. This would include the stop bulb or turn signals etc.
Next there is a black plastice side panel located between the lamp assembly (the entire plastic housing) and the inner portion of the rear compartment door. There you'll see two phillips head screws which you must remove. This releases the entire assembly.
You then next gently give it a small tug toward the left (if a left side assembly) or to the right if other wise. What happens there is that there is a stud that's held pretty snuggly by a modled ring in the body assembly. Don't twist the lamp assembly up or down unless you want to break this off but give it a slight pull outward. Then you're done. The entire assembly will be released and you'll be home free for changing any of the bulbs or even replacing the entire assembly. W/o breaking it of course.

if you remove the rear carpet in the trunk area that the broken tail light is you should see 4 or 5 10mm screws attaching the tail light assembly unplug the bulbs it should take only about 20 minutes

Remove the two screws holding the tail light cover in place along the edge of the tail light assembly.

After you remove the two screws in the back panel, you have to pull the assembly out towards the side of the vehicle. You cannot pull it straight back from the trunk or you will break the pins that hold the lens cover onto the side of the SUV.

There are two pins that allow the light cover to be secured against the back of the truck. One pin is towards the top, the other pin is towards the bottom.

Twist out the bulb assembly.
Pull out the bulb
Insert the new bulb
Twist back in the bulb assembly
Place the pins over the pin holes in the light cover mold on the side of the truck
Push in gently Replace screws and you are done.

The assembly is all one piece. You'll have to replace the entire assembly. You could go to an automotive store and buy a lens repair kit. They sell the ones that are rolls of tape, or ones that are sheets of plastic. I believe the rolls are $5 and the sheets are $10. The sheets are much more durable and usually, just using the sheet won't require you to replace the assembly as it's got really good adhesive. The tape doesn't last and is only a temporary fix whereas the sheets are a permanent fix

you have to go from the inside the trunk some the bulbs are there others there will be nuts there to remove the tail light to get to the bulbs

Hi -
I just replaced my left rear brake light on my 2005 Sienna. I followed the manual directions and removed the two metal bolts from the tail light cover. However the assembly did not come off. I could open it a little and it appeared to be bolted from the inside. I looked online but didn't find an answer. I had already gotten pulled over and I didn't want to go to the dealer so I pulled on the assembly a little harder applying even pressure to the top and the bottom and it popped loose. I didn't yank it. There are two metal pegs that have a little lip on them and thats where you are getting the resistance. Hope this helps.