Hyundai introduced the Santa Fe to the American market in 2001. A low selling price helped the Santa Fe to gain market share. Hyundai redesigned the model for the 2007 model year in order to update the design to meet the standards of competing vehicles. The redesign included changes in the body design that also changed the brake-light replacement procedure. Replacing a tail light in either design is a relatively simple task that owners can do themselves.
Open the tailgate. Locate the two retaining screws that hold the rear light lens. Remove the screws and remove the lens.
Push the defective bulb into its socket and turn it counterclockwise a 1/4 turn until it releases from the socket. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
Line the tabs on the new bulb with the grooves in the socket. Push the bulb into the socket and rotate it clockwise as far as it will go to secure the bulb (about 1/4 turn). Replace the lens cover and secure with the screws.
Open the tailgate and locate the service cover inside the trunk area that covers the back of the rear light assembly. Carefully pry the cover off with a screwdriver. Earlier models have a pry point at the bottom of the cover while later models have two pry points on the side of the cover. Look for the slots along the cover edge that are sized to allow a screwdriver to be inserted.
Remove the rear light assembly retaining nuts and slide the assembly rearward out of the vehicle.
Locate the light bulb that requires replacement. Each light bulb in the rear light assembly is secured in its separate socket. Turn the socket counterclockwise about 1/4 turn to release it from the rear light assembly. Pull the socket straight out from the back of the assembly, taking care not to damage the attached wiring.
Depress the bulb into the socket. Take care not to break the bulb glass. Turn the bulb counterclockwise about 1/4 turn to release it from the socket. Pull the bulb straight out from the socket.
Align the tabs on the base of a new bulb with the grooves in the socket. Push the bulb into the socket and rotate clockwise to secure. Align the tabs on the socket with the notches in the rear light assembly. Push the socket into the assembly and rotate clockwise to secure. Replace the rear light assembly and secure with the retaining nuts. Replace the service cover.
