Parts for your 2017 Toyota Vitz|yaris-Tail lights

2017 Toyota Vitz/Yaris Tail-lights: what they do and how to look after them

Tail-lights are very much fitted to the 2017 Toyota Vitz/Yaris. Toyota’s service literature for the XP130-series (including the Electrical Wiring Diagram and Repair Manual) lists the rear combination lamp with dedicated rear position (tail) circuits, and the Owner’s Manual specifies bulb and fuse details. They’re also a legal must-have: Australian Design Rules (ADR 13/00 and ADR 49/00) and New Zealand’s WOF/VIRM lighting requirements mandate functioning rear position lamps, so every 2017 Vitz/Yaris on Aussie and Kiwi roads runs tail-lights.

On this model, the tail-lights sit within the rear combination lamp assemblies, sharing space with the stop, indicator, and reverse lamps. Depending on trim and market, the Yaris/Vitz uses either conventional wedge bulbs (commonly W21/5W/7443 for stop/tail) or LED elements. Either way, their job is simple but critical: stay visible to traffic behind in low light, rain, or fog, and light up the car’s outline when the parkers or headlights are on.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to give the tail-lights a quick check. A blown tail lamp can be easy to miss from the driver’s seat, but it’s an easy fix. For bulb-type lamps, replacements are inexpensive and take a few minutes, LED-equipped versions are long-lived, but if an LED segment fails you generally replace the whole lamp assembly.

• Walk-around test: switch on parkers and brake, and confirm both sides glow evenly. If both tails are out, check the TAIL fuse before chasing wiring.
• Lens condition: look for cracks, faded lenses, or water ingress. Light condensation that clears is normal, pooled water means the gasket or housing needs attention.
• Bulb replacement: match the correct type and wattage from the owner’s manual. Don’t touch halogen glass with bare fingers, use gloves or a tissue.
• Connections: inspect the lamp connector and earth point for corrosion. A dab of dielectric grease helps keep moisture out.
• Reinstall carefully: seat the lamp straight, ensure the locating pins and gasket are aligned, and snug the fasteners—no need to crank them tight.

Keeping the 2017 Vitz/Yaris tail-lights bright and healthy isn’t just about passing a WOF or rego, it’s cheap insurance for being seen, especially on wet winter evenings or dusty country roads.

Popular questions

Are the 2017 Vitz/Yaris tail-lights LED or bulb?
Both exist. Many 2017 models use conventional wedge bulbs for the tail/stop, while higher trims and some markets got LED rear combination lamps. A quick glance at the lens (visible LEDs) or a check in the owner’s manual will confirm what’s fitted.

How hard is it to change a tail bulb on a 2017 Yaris/Vitz?
It’s generally a DIY-friendly job: open the hatch, remove the lamp fasteners, slide the lamp rearwards, twist out the bulb holder, swap the bulb, and refit. If the car has LED tails, the fix for a failed segment is to replace the lamp assembly instead.

Why do my tail-lights mist up sometimes?
Light fogging after a cold start or a wet wash can be normal and usually clears with a bit of driving. Persistent moisture or visible water droplets point to a damaged seal or cracked housing—worth sorting to protect the electrics and keep the light output crisp.