Replacing 2016 Rear Lower Tail Light Assembly

See the Repair Manual (more info), under Vehicle Exterior: Lighting (Ext): Rear Light Assembly. Most of the work is removing and reinstalling the rear bumper assembly, and then recalibrating the Intuitive Parking Assist system, if the car has it.

 

I should have taken pictures. However, it is doable but very difficult. I am mechanical minded, but not a mechanic. My way:
After removing the upper light; remove the plastic cover, two bolts, and yank the light backward.
I had to be very creative using a universal joint to unscrew the two retaining screws at the lower lamp's top. In retrospect, maybe I could have rented a cordless wrench from Autozone; it may have worked. But I didn't and struggled with the knuckle joint to remove the two top screws.
I then removed the Undercar Shield at the front. There are about 6 push-type retainers and two larger plastic nuts that unscrew.

Next, I broke the old light off to give me access to the lower screw If you have the power tool or other, you can reach up and probably access the lower screw from below with the engine shield off, but no way to get a screwdriver up there. (I was replacing so it didn't matter)

Before I installed the new light, I installed the screws and then took them out so it would be easier to install them when I put the light in. I put the top screws in, and I was able to get the lower screw in tight enough by hand. Again, a power tool might work to get it tighter.

The moral of the story is that's all I had to do. I never took anything else off. The shield is a pain to put back on; just be patient; it will go back on with some push and pull.

I wrote this because I couldn't find any detailed information or videos anywhere; even the manual didn't help. and I am sure the dealer would charge $300-$400 GOOD LUCK

 

Don’t replace the lower tail light. Mark of Zorro tail light. People hate it. It’s ridiculous/ugly/distracting. One issue is the backup light. You do need a reverse light.