How do you replace the brake light in a Nissan Versa?

Answer 1

Inside the trunk/hatch area, directly behind the tail light assembly, are two plastic cover plates. These are only a couple of inches big. The one toward the side of the car is slightly bigger (Do not try to remove the entire panels as this is not necessary) Remove these with a flat tool (screwdriver will work) by prying in the small slit. They pop off. Inside one you will see a nut. This is a 10mm deep socket. NOTE: This nut is very easy to lose once loosened! If at all possible use a magnetic socket. If one is not available, loosen but don't remove completely. Use a magnet to remove. In the other compartment you will see wires on a plastic holder. This holder is snapped over the nut you need to remove (note you may see two, you want the one closest to the access opening). Use a flat (screwdriver) to slip the white cover with wires off the screw post. Use a 10mm wrench to loosen, then remove by hand. From the outside, pull the lamp assembly backwards. If necessary apply a little pressure on the interior screw posts. ACCESS TO LAMPS! Reverse procedure to reinstall. Note on the exterior there is a slot at the front of the lamp assembly when reinstalling. Good Luck!

I followed the advice above but have a few details to add. I used a stick (7/8" x 5/8" x 6") to push on the bottom post and then used a flat stick, actually a paint stirring stick, as a shim between the lens and the car body. With the shim in place I then used a flat nylon strap (a dog leash) which I placed around the tip of the lens, closest to the front of the car. I put both ends of the leash in one hand in order to pull on one side and then used my finger tips on the other hand to pull on the part of the lens closest to the bumper and applied even pressure straight back until the lens popped off alowing access to the light bulbs.

This was all very helpful. I just wanted to add that there are 2 and only 2 screws to be concerned about removing the 10mm nuts from. I wasted time trying to remove a plastic wire clamp that was completely unnecessary. I did this because the driver side is pretty difficult to remove and it seemed like the wiring clamp was prohibiting removal. With force going directly back it eventually gave in and loosened. The passenger side comes loose pretty easy. I suggest 2 people work toward getting the lens off the drivers side. One attempting to slide the red portion of the lamp lens toward the back while the other person attempts to pull off. I also employed a dog leash to attain the straight backward motion.