Tail Light Removal (Left and Right) – 2012-2019 BMW 3 Series (F30)

August 24, 2023

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Tail Light Removal (Left and Right) – 2012-2019 BMW 3 Series (F30)

This repair procedure gives step by step instructions on removing the rear left and right tail light assemblies on 2012-2019 3 series (F30) vehicles. Removing the tail light assemblies is necessary for replacing rear bulbs.

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Possible Symptoms: Not applicable for this repair.

This repair can be used on the following BMW models:

2011

316d Sedan, 318d Sedan, 320d ed Sedan, 320d Sedan, 320dX Sedan, 320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, 325d Sedan, 328d Sedan, 328dX Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Sedan, 330d Sedan, 330dX Sedan, 335i Sedan, 335iX Sedan, Hybrid 3 Sedan,

2012

316d Sedan, 316i Sedan, 318d Sedan, 318dX Sedan, 320d ed Sedan, 320d Sedan, 320dX Sedan, 320i ed Sedan, 320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, 325d Sedan, 328d Sedan, 328dX Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Sedan, 330d Sedan, 330dX Sedan, 335dX Sedan, 335i Sedan, 335iX Sedan, Hybrid 3 Sedan,

2013

2014

2015

316d Sedan, 316i Sedan, 318d Sedan, 318dX Sedan, 318i Sedan, 320d ed Sedan, 320d Sedan, 320dX Sedan, 320i ed Sedan, 320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, 325d Sedan, 328d Sedan, 328dX Sedan, 328i Sedan, 328iX Sedan, 330d Sedan, 330dX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Sedan, 330iX Sedan, 335dX Sedan, 335i Sedan, 335iX Sedan, 340i Sedan, 340iX Sedan, Hybrid 3 Sedan,

2016

2017

316d Sedan, 318d Sedan, 318dX Sedan, 318i Sedan, 320d ed Sedan, 320d Sedan, 320dX Sedan, 320i Sedan, 320iX Sedan, 325d Sedan, 328d Sedan, 328dX Sedan, 330d Sedan, 330dX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Sedan, 330iX Sedan, 335dX Sedan, 340i Sedan, 340iX Sedan,

2018

Intermediate level repair.

Step 1 - Purchase Parts

There are no parts or supplies required for this repair.

Step 2 - Repair Procedure

Unless otherwise noted, all vehicle repair step images in this article are copyrighted, and used courtesy of BMW of North America, Inc. .

1. Remove tail light - trunk lid.

Tail Light Removal (Left and Right) – 2012-2019 BMW 3 Series (F30)

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- Remove the plastic rivets (A) and (B) under trunk lid.

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- Unplug the tail light assembly.

- Remove the nut (2) and the retaining bracket (3).

View part diagram for this step

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- Grasp the tail light and remove in direction of arrow.

View part diagram for this step

2. Remove tail light - side panel.

remove left and right water channel trim

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- Remove the water channel trim by pushing up until it releases from the body of the vehicle.

View part diagram for this step

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- There is a chance of paint damage when removing the side panel light assembly. It is recommended that the perimeter of the area is protected with either blue or yellow tape.

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- Remove the two mounting nuts (1).

View part diagram for this step

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- Grasp the tail light assembly and remove it from the vehicle.

View part diagram for this step