Diagnosis first: A dark or intermittent rear side-marker lamp on a 2012–2013 Honda Civic 1.8L four-door sedan may be caused by a failed 5-watt bulb, but a loose socket, corroded contact, damaged connector, fuse, ground, wiring fault, moisture, or altered lamp assembly can produce the same symptom. No dedicated generic OBD-II code identifies a failed side-marker bulb, so an engine code does not prove this bulb has failed.
This guide covers the original serviceable incandescent rear side-marker positions on North American 1.8L gasoline sedans. Honda lists a separate 5 W rear side-marker bulb and trunk-lining access for both supported years. It deliberately excludes 2014–2015 sedans, whose Honda instructions identify the rear side marker as LED, as well as Hybrid, Natural Gas, Si, coupe, other-market, and modified-lamp applications.
Easy, with careful trunk-liner clip handling
15–30 minutes for both sides
About $5–$15; planning estimate
Featured replacement: SYLVANIA 168 Long Life two-pack
Brand: SYLVANIA
Manufacturer part number: 168LL.BP2
Amazon ASIN: B01FWODPFA
Selected variation: clear 168 Long Life incandescent miniature wedge bulbs, two-pack
Quantity: two bulbs—enough to service both verified rear side-marker positions after each installed bulb is confirmed
The package includes two clear incandescent 168 bulbs. It does not include sockets, holders, connectors, wiring, seals, trunk-liner clips, tools, gloves, or LED-conversion parts. The exact Amazon listing displayed “2K+ bought in past month” when observed on October 23, 2026. That rounded badge is an Amazon purchase indicator, not audited sales data or a claim that the product is globally best-selling.
Vehicle fitment and exclusions
| Vehicle | Supported equipment | Required confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Honda Civic 1.8L four-door sedan, North American market | Original removable 5 W incandescent rear side-marker bulb behind the trunk lining | Confirm sedan body, non-Hybrid/non-Natural-Gas equipment, original housing, removable socket, 5 W specification, and a 168-style clear wedge bulb matching the removed part. |
| 2013 Honda Civic 1.8L four-door sedan, North American market | Original removable 5 W incandescent rear side-marker bulb behind the trunk lining | Use the same checks. Model year alone is not enough if the lamp or harness was replaced or modified. |
Excluded: 2014–2015 sedans with Honda-specified LED rear side markers; Civic coupe; Si, Hybrid and Natural Gas models; other markets or years; aftermarket housings; LED conversions; and any lamp with a melted socket, damaged connector, moisture intrusion, collision damage, or modified wiring.
Do not confuse positions: the rear side marker is the low-wattage lamp visible from the side of the car. It is not the brake/tail bulb, amber turn-signal bulb, back-up bulb, trunk lamp, or license-plate bulb. Identify the correct socket from the owner-manual diagram and confirm its original bulb before removal.
Symptoms and diagnosis before replacement
- One side is dark: compare left and right side-marker operation. A failed filament is likely, but the socket, connector, ground, or local harness can also fail.
- The lamp flickers when the trunk liner moves: suspect a loose bulb, weak socket tension, damaged connector, or wiring problem rather than assuming the bulb alone is bad.
- Both rear side markers are dark: check that the parking lights are switched on and inspect the related fuse, power supply, ground, and lighting circuit before buying more bulbs.
- Bulbs fail repeatedly: look for water, heat damage, corrosion, unstable voltage, incorrect wattage, or an incompatible conversion.
With the lamps switched off and the bulb cool, remove the suspected bulb and inspect its filament, glass, wedge contacts, and socket. A broken filament or darkened bulb supports replacement. Green corrosion, pitting, looseness, melting, or moisture calls for socket, sealing, or circuit repair. A known-good 168 bulb that remains dark shifts the diagnosis toward power, ground, connector, fuse, or wiring.
No scan tool, programming, or relearn is needed for this bulb-only repair. If live electrical testing is required, use the correct wiring diagram and a suitable meter, or have a qualified technician diagnose the circuit. Do not probe connectors with improvised wire or install a higher-wattage bulb.
Tools and supplies
| Tool or Supply | Exact Product | Product Link | Purpose and Selection Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement bulbs — required | SYLVANIA 168 Long Life, 168LL.BP2, clear incandescent, two-pack | Exact 168 two-pack | One bulb per verified side-marker position. Match the removed bulb’s clear wedge base, size, contacts, and 168 identification before installation. |
| Trim-clip tool — required | Small flat-tip screwdriver already on hand, with the tip wrapped in cloth or tape; a thin nylon trim tool is a gentler alternative | No purchase required | Lifts only the center pin of the original trunk-liner clips. Use a tool that fits without widening or breaking the clip. |
| Clean handling — required | Clean nitrile gloves or lint-free towel | No purchase required | Protects hands and keeps skin oil off the replacement glass. |
| Inspection light — optional | Existing flashlight | No purchase required | Helps identify the side-marker socket and inspect contacts without energizing the exterior lamps. |
No jack, stand, wheel removal, torque wrench, fluid, sealant, scan tool, coding device, or battery-memory tool is required for the supported bulb-only procedure. Honda’s access sequence uses trim clips and a twist-lock socket; no threaded lamp fastener or numerical torque specification applies.
Estimated DIY versus professional cost
| Expense | DIY planning estimate | Professional planning estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Two replacement bulbs | $5–$15 | $8–$25 with parts markup |
| Consumables | $0–$5 if gloves or a towel are already available | Usually included |
| Labor | Your time; about 15–30 minutes | About $25–$90, depending on local minimum labor charges |
| Likely total for bulb-only work | $5–$20 | $35–$115 |
These are broad U.S. planning estimates, not current Amazon prices or local quotes. Socket, connector, liner-clip, water-leak, or wiring repairs can increase cost. Check the exact product link for current availability and ask a shop for a written estimate when diagnosis extends beyond a bulb.
2012–2013 Civic rear side-marker bulb replacement
- Secure the car. Park on level ground, select Park, apply the parking brake, switch off the ignition and exterior lights, remove the key, and fully open the trunk. Clear cargo away from the side liner.
- Confirm the supported assembly. Verify the car is a 2012 or 2013 North American 1.8L sedan with an original serviceable incandescent rear side marker. If the housing is LED, modified, or different from Honda’s diagram, stop and identify the installed equipment.
- Protect the work area. Let the bulb cool. Put on eye protection and gloves. Photograph the liner and clip positions so every retainer returns to its original hole.
- Release only the needed liner clips. Insert a small wrapped flat-tip screwdriver beneath the center pin of each required push clip. Lift the pin, then remove the clip body. Do not pry the whole clip at once or sharply fold the liner.
- Pull the trunk lining back gently. Move it only far enough to reach the correct rear side-marker socket. Keep the liner supported and watch for harnesses behind it.
- Identify the side-marker socket. Use Honda’s position diagram and trace the lamp visible from the side of the vehicle. Do not remove the nearby turn, brake/tail, back-up, license-plate, or trunk-light bulb by mistake.
- Remove the socket. Grip the socket body, turn it counterclockwise, and withdraw it straight from the lamp housing. Do not twist or pull the wiring.
- Remove and inspect the old bulb. Pull the cool wedge bulb straight from the socket. Check the filament and contacts, then inspect the socket for corrosion, moisture, looseness, or heat damage. Stop if the socket is melted or the connector is damaged.
- Compare the replacement. Confirm the SYLVANIA 168 bulb matches the removed bulb’s clear glass, wedge base, physical size, contacts, and 5 W application. Do not substitute a high-wattage or LED bulb under this procedure.
- Install the clean bulb. Using gloves or a clean towel, push one 168 bulb straight into the socket until fully seated. No lubricant or sealant is required for the verified bulb-only task.
- Refit and lock the socket. Align the socket tabs with the housing, insert it squarely, and turn clockwise until it stops. Do not force crossed or misaligned tabs.
- Test safely. Keep hands and tools clear, switch on the parking lamps, and verify steady operation from the side and rear. Switch the lamps off again before touching the liner. If the lamp stays dark, reseat the bulb and socket, then diagnose the circuit rather than repeatedly installing bulbs.
- Restore the liner. Route wiring exactly as found. Return the liner without trapping wires. Insert each clip body with its center pin raised, then press the pin flush. Confirm the liner is secure and the trunk closes normally.
- Repeat on the opposite side if confirmed. The package includes two bulbs and SYLVANIA recommends pair replacement for matched age and appearance. Confirm the second side uses the same original 168 configuration before installing the spare bulb.
Final inspection and functional checks
- Both supported side markers illuminate steadily with the parking lamps on.
- Brake, tail, rear turn-signal, back-up, license-plate, and trunk lamps still operate normally.
- Each socket is fully locked; no wiring is pinched and no liner clip is missing or raised.
- The lamp housings show no moisture, heat damage, cracks, or loose connectors.
- All tools, old bulbs, and packaging are removed before the trunk is closed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying this guide to 2014–2015 LED rear side-marker equipment.
- Removing the wrong rear-lamp socket because several bulbs share the same trunk area.
- Prying the entire push clip instead of lifting its center pin first.
- Twisting a wedge bulb; the 168 pulls straight from and pushes straight into the socket.
- Touching hot glass or contaminating the new bulb with bare fingers.
- Using a higher-wattage or unverified LED substitute that can change heat, fit, brightness, or electrical behavior.
- Ignoring corrosion, moisture, melting, or repeated failure that needs repair beyond a bulb.
Frequently asked questions
What bulb fits the supported rear side marker?
Honda specifies a separate 5 W rear side-marker lamp for the 2012 and 2013 sedan instructions. The selected direct-replacement product is the clear SYLVANIA 168 Long Life bulb, manufacturer part 168LL.BP2, sold as a two-pack under ASIN B01FWODPFA. Match the removed bulb before installation.
Why does this guide stop at 2013?
Honda’s 2014 sedan manual identifies the rear side marker as LED and directs owners to a dealer for assembly inspection or replacement. That is a material equipment change, so this incandescent-bulb procedure is not extended into 2014–2015.
Does one two-pack service both sides?
Yes, when both sides retain the same original 5 W incandescent 168 configuration. One bulb services each position. Confirm the second side before using the second bulb.
Do I need to disconnect the battery?
No for the validated bulb-only procedure. Switch off the ignition and lamps and remove the key. Disconnecting the battery does not repair a damaged socket or wiring problem.
Is there a torque specification?
No. Honda’s procedure releases trunk-liner push clips and turns the socket to the left; it does not remove a threaded lamp fastener. No torque value was invented.
Can I install an LED bulb?
This page validates the direct-replacement incandescent product only. LED polarity, heat management, physical fit, brightness, optical performance, and electrical behavior need separate verification.
What if the new bulb still does not work?
Recheck the bulb and socket seating, then diagnose fuse, power, ground, connector, harness, and moisture condition using the correct wiring information. Seek professional help if you do not have safe circuit-testing equipment.
Sources and related Civic help
- 2012 Honda Civic Sedan owner’s manual — Honda rear-lamp procedure and page 367 5 W rear side-marker specification.
- 2013 Honda Civic Sedan owner’s manual — matching trunk-lining, socket-removal, bulb-replacement and clip-reinstallation sequence.
- 2014 Honda Civic Sedan owner’s manual — exclusion evidence: Honda identifies the rear side marker as LED.
- SYLVANIA 168LL.BP2 product page — exact two-pack, OE part number 168, direct-replacement and clean-handling guidance.
- 2012 Civic side-marker bulb catalog — independent vehicle-specific 168 Long Life incandescent listing and 4.9 W specification.
- Vehicle-reference photograph — IFCAR, own work, public-domain release worldwide.
Browse the Honda Civic repair-guides hub or ask a vehicle-specific question in the Honda Civic mechanic chatroom.