2020 Toyota Tacoma Bulb Sizes and Replacement Guide

Quick reference

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offers a mix of lighting technologies, with many TRD Pro and Limited models featuring factory LED headlights, while SR, SR5, and some TRD Off-Road/Sport models come with halogen headlights. It's important to confirm your specific trim level and what type of lighting came from the factory when considering replacements or upgrades.

LED vs halogen upgrade considerations

Upgrading your 2020 Toyota Tacoma from halogen to LED bulbs can significantly improve visibility and give your truck a more modern look. However, there are several factors to consider to ensure a successful and trouble-free upgrade:

• CANBUS Errors: Most modern vehicles, including the 2020 Tacoma, use a CANBUS (Controller Area Network Bus) system to monitor the functionality of various electrical components, including lights. Halogen bulbs draw more power than LED bulbs, and if you install LEDs without the proper resistors, the CANBUS system may detect a difference in power draw, interpret it as a "bulb out" error, and trigger a warning light on your dashboard. To prevent this, you'll typically need to use CANBUS-compatible LED bulbs or install load resistors for each LED bulb. Many quality aftermarket LED kits come with built-in CANBUS decoders or include external resistors.
• Adapters Needed: For some locations, particularly headlights, you might need specific adapters or retainers to properly seat the new LED bulbs in the housing. Always ensure that the LED bulbs you purchase are designed to fit your Tacoma's specific bulb housings.
• Beam Pattern: Not all LED bulbs are created equal, and a poorly designed LED bulb can scatter light, creating glare for oncoming drivers and reducing your overall visibility. Look for LED bulbs that mimic the filament placement of the original halogen bulbs to ensure a proper beam pattern, especially for low beams. Projector headlights (found on some Tacoma trims) generally handle LED conversions better than reflector housings.
• Heat Dissipation: LEDs generate heat, and effective heat dissipation is crucial for their longevity. Good quality LED bulbs will have robust cooling systems, often involving aluminum heat sinks or small fans. Ensure there's adequate space behind the headlight housing for any larger LED bulbs or their cooling components.

How to replace each bulb

Replacing bulbs on your 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a relatively straightforward DIY task for most locations. Always ensure the vehicle is turned off, and for exterior lights, it's often best to access them from behind the headlight or taillight assembly.

• Low Beam/High Beam: For halogen bulbs, access the back of the headlight assembly. Twist the bulb counter-clockwise to remove, unplug the electrical connector, and reverse the process for the new bulb. For factory LED headlights, these are generally not user-serviceable and require professional replacement of the entire headlight assembly if a failure occurs.
• Fog Light: Access from under the front bumper or by removing the inner fender liner. Unplug the connector, twist the bulb counter-clockwise, and replace.
• DRL (Daytime Running Light): Access from behind the headlight assembly. Twist the bulb holder to remove and pull the bulb straight out.
• Front Turn Signal: Access from behind the headlight assembly. Twist the bulb holder to remove and pull the bulb straight out.
• Rear Turn Signal, Brake Light, Tail Light: Open the tailgate, remove the two retaining bolts for the taillight assembly, and carefully pull the assembly straight back. Twist the bulb holders to remove the bulbs.
• Reverse Light: Located in the taillight assembly, follow the steps for rear turn signal/brake/tail light replacement.
• License Plate: Typically accessible by unscrewing small plastic covers above the license plate. Unclip the housing or twist the bulb holder to remove.
• Front Side Marker: Located within the headlight assembly, accessed from the rear. Twist the bulb holder to remove.
• Dome Light: Carefully pry off the lens cover with a plastic trim tool. The bulb usually pulls straight out of its contacts.
• Map Lights: Carefully pry off the lens cover with a plastic trim tool. The bulbs usually pull straight out.

Common lighting issues for this generation

While the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a reliable truck, a few lighting-related points might arise for this generation:

• Premature Halogen Bulb Burnout: Some owners report that factory halogen bulbs (especially headlights) can have a shorter lifespan than expected. This can sometimes be attributed to vibrations or voltage fluctuations. Upgrading to higher-quality aftermarket halogens or LEDs can mitigate this.
• Condensation in Headlight/Taillight Assemblies: While not exclusive to the Tacoma, some owners might notice occasional condensation inside the headlight or taillight assemblies. Minor condensation that dissipates quickly is generally normal, but persistent or excessive moisture could indicate a seal issue.
• LED Headlight Glare (Aftermarket): As discussed in the upgrade section, poorly chosen or installed aftermarket LED bulbs in halogen housings can create excessive glare for oncoming drivers. Always ensure proper aiming and choose quality LEDs designed for your housing type.
• DRL Malfunctions: Less common, but sometimes DRLs can become intermittent or fail. This might be a bulb issue (for halogen DRLs) or a wiring/module problem. Always check the simple solutions first.

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