The Focus is a compact car that first appeared in North America in the fall of 1999 as a 2000 model. Several body styles were initially available, including a four-door sedan, five-door station wagon, three-door hatchback and five-door hatchback. The five-door hatchback was named the ZX5. It has a combination tail, stop, backup and turn signal light housing mounted at window level on both rear corners of the car. The ZX5 was discontinued after the 2007 model year.
Turn off the headlight switch. Open the rear cargo door.
Remove the wing nut on the interior trim panel behind the light you wish to replace. Turn the nut in a counterclockwise direction by hand, and place it aside. Remove the trim panel.
Remove the single retaining screw on the outside of the taillight assembly with a Phillips screwdriver, and place it aside. Pull the taillight assembly straight out of the back of the car until the hidden retaining clip disengages.
Remove the socket for the bulb you wish to replace by rotating it in a counterclockwise direction. Pull the socket straight out of the taillight assembly.
Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket you removed, and discard it. Press a new bulb into the socket until it is fully seated.
Push the socket back into the mounting hole in the back side of the taillight assembly, and twist it in a clockwise direction until it locks into place.
Push the taillight assembly back into its mounting bracket on the back side of the car until it snaps into place. Replace the retaining screw, and tighten it with a Phillips screwdriver. Replace the interior trim cover, and tighten the wing nut. Close the cargo door.
Turn off the headlight switch, and open the rear cargo door.
Remove the retaining screws from each side of the plastic trim cover on the back side of the high-mounted stop light with a Torx screwdriver. Pull the trim cover free, and set it aside.
Lift up on the bulb holder, then pull it free of the light assembly. Pull the bulb straight out of the holder, then press in a new one until it is fully seated.
Push the bulb holder back into position until it snaps into place.
Replace the trim cover, and tighten the two retaining screws. Close the cargo door.
