Does the red panel on the back just pop off after the 2 screws are taken out to replace the brake bulb

From 2006 to 2010, the Sonata's 3rd brake lamp requires the rear package deck be removed to access that bulb.
1. Remove the rear passenger seat bottom (remove two12mm bolts between the seat back and the seat bottom - tilt the seat back forward to locate these bolts).
a. Press the two bottom front edge tabs to release the front of the seat bottom from the floor.
b. Remove seat bottom & set aside w/two 12mm bolts
c. Tilt both seat backs downward
2. Remove the left & right hand shoulder cushions (12 mm bolt at the bottom of each cushion)
a. Remove seat belt from shoulder cushion guide at the top of the cushion
b. Lift up and forward on shoulder cushions to remove them (if equipped with side airbags, disconnect wire harness connector).
c. Set shoulder cushions aside w/two 12mm bolts
3. Using a small flathead screwdriver, pop out the 'SRS' button cover from the C pillar panels on the left & right hand side to access either the phillips head screws, 10mm bolts, or #30 Torque Screws
a. Remove screws and set aside
b. Using a standard flathead screwdriver, pop out the C pillar panels on both sides (clips hold these panels in place)
c. Set these panels aside after removal w/screws/bolts
4. Trunk Access-way panels are held in place by phillips head screws (two at the bottom (left and right hand sides) and 4 to 5 at the top .
a. Remove left and right hand panels and set aside w/screws.
5. Rear package deck held in place with two plastic clips (white, yellow or pink)
a. lie on your back inside the trunk (trunk lid open to allow for more light). Looking through access hole find 3rd brake light wire harness connector & disconnect.
b. locate package deck clips, one on the left and another on the right on the underside of the pckage deck
c. Squeeze clips to push them out - package deck will come loose
d. Remove package deck & remove 3rd brake lamp bulb socket (turn counter clockwise to remove). Replace bulb & reassemble in reverse order.

which brake light? if it is in the sides, drop the tailgate/back door and remove the screws holding the tail light assembly in and then it should just pop out. If it is a 3rd brake light, 2 screws hold the cover in and remove those and carefully pry the plastic cover out and gently pull on the bulb

If similar to 2002 MPV, you detach the whole side light module, then pop out the bulb-socket, then you can replace the bulb. You need a philips screwdriver, medium size. Open the back hatch. Remove the two screws on the inside edge of the light-assembly. Now pull the whole assembly *sideways* not back - it is held by two detent-pins that face out. You can swing it out a bit and then carefully lever it at top or bottom edge. Lower the assembly face-down, you can see three bulb-sockets. They can be turned a part-turn, I think counter-clockwise, then they pop out. Replace bulb(s), re-insert socket, push assembly back onto pins, replace screws. Just did this for brake/tail light 10 minutes ago.

Open the hatch and look at the back of the brake light assembly, you will see 2 plastic disks with a little slot in the bottom, insert a flat screwdriver into the slots and pop these disks off, they pop off easily Under the disks are phillips head screws, remove both screws Now, you can't see them, but there are 2 pins built into the brake light assembly which extend into sockets in the body of the car, to remove the assembly, wiggle the entire assembly and push outward TO THE SIDE, NOT toward you, this will wiggle the pins free and the entire assembly will come free once the assembly is free you will see 3 plugs, the top 2 are the brake light bulbs, twist the plugs 1/4 turn and pull them out, now you can see the bulbs, just pull them out and replace them

hi cjryan 9876 when you look on the outside of the lens there are 2 philips head screws & if open your tail gate there are another 2 philips head screws in there as well one of which is located through the locking tab for the tailgate once you undo these the tail light should fall out & then to get the tail light out of the socket give it a quarter turn anti clock wise

Tail light replacement is not as hard as it seems.
Tools needed:flat head screwdriver and a deep 5/32 socket(a pair of pliers will work).
Step 1: open trunk and pull back truck liner at tail light.There is a small button clip on liner.Use screwdriver to pop up the center of button clip,pull clip out of hole.
Step 2:You will see a black wire attached to the body of car with 2 white clips.Use screwdriver to pop clips off of studs.
Step 3:Remove the nuts from the studs and pull tail light assembly straight back away from car.The outer side of the light just snaps in and out of place.
Step 4:Turn light socket counter clockwise 1/3 turn and pull out.
Step 5:Pull bad bulb straight out and replace.Reverse steps to reassemble.

This is how i did it on my 2006 Sonata

1.) unplug the connector in the trunk (its a small white plug running up to the third light, there should be a small clip you squeeze).

2.) remove the 2 gold-colored screws from inside the trunk. They can be seen from the trunk. 1 is thru the larger square opening where the wire connects to the 3rd brake light. The 2nd is on the right side thru a small (screwdriver width) hole covered by a piece of foam tape stuff I had to punch me screwdriver through the foam to get to it.

3.) after removing the 2 screws, go inside the cabin and the brake light housing pops up.

4.) disconnect the bulb from the housing while inside the cabin (I had to do this with me two forefingers since the housing only pops up and inch or two).

5.) in the trunk remove the wire and bulb. (it's about 5 inches long. the wire from the connector to the bulb socket)

6.) reverse steps to install.

It is a pain and reqiuires a bit of time only because there isn't a lot of room to move around, but it beats taking it to the dealershio!

I was advised to go to Advance Auto (store) and tell them my problem. I did this, and the gentleman sold me a pack (4) square license plate nuts, #8 x 1/2" screws. the cost was $1.75. I popped the plastic nut into each whole and screwed the third brake light strip into place. No rattles!

genuine answer, just replaced reversing lamp on my 2002 premacy,had same problem as you,I went to a mazda garage who told me, the correct method,forget #1 solution, you cannot access the bulb's
from inside the boot . FIRST REMOVE THE 2 PHILLIPS SCREWS
ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE LEN'S CLUSTERN THERE ARE 2 PROTRUDING
PUSH IN CLIP FASTENER'S, (THESE CANNOT BEE SEEN, AS THEY STICK OUT FROM THE REAR PLATE OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLEY,) JUST PULL THE LIGHT ASSEMBLEY AWAY FROM THE BODY, (MINE WAS A BIT STIFF ,BUT IT CAME AWAY,) THIS GIVES TOU ACCESS TO ALL
THE BULB'S, IT IS STRAIGHT FORWARD TO REPLACE LIGHT CLUSTER,JUST PUSH THE 2
(PLASTIC CLIP FASTENERS,) IN TO THERE RESPECTIVE HOLE'S THEN REPLACE THE PHILLIPS RETAING SCREWS, JOB DONE,

HOPE THIS HELPS TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM

I just replaced the p/s brake light:
1. Pop off the tabs that cover the screws. (flat screwdriver)
2. Unscrew both screws. (philips-head)
3. There is a metal post attached to the light assembly located towards the front of the assembly pointing in towards the center of the car. This post fits into a rubber grommet that is attached to the car. I had to wiggle and rock the assembly to get the post free from the grommet and the assembly off the car, by pulling to the right.
4. Re-assembly requires lining up and inserting the post back into the grommet (use your best Beavis and ******** sound effect now). Put the screws back in and don't forget the covers.