The more brake lights you have, the easier it is for other motorists to see you. We’re not saying you need to turn the entire rear of your vehicle into one massive brake stop light, but you should at least make sure you’ve got the essentials covered, and we’re not just talking about those lights on either side of your vehicle. Your car’s third brake light is equally as important, and if you’re servicing the others or making updates, you want to give some attention to that third one, too. We’re here to help you with just that. We talk a little about some of our favorites and then set you up with a buying guide to make sure you pick the perfect match for your rig!
Best Overall
Issyauto 2009-2014 F-150 LED Third Brake Light
Best Value
Mihaz 5-Function Universal LED Third Brake Light
Honorable Mention
Dorman 923-236 Center High Mount Stop Light for Select Ford / Lincoln Models
Best Third Brake Lights Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Issyauto 2009-2014 F-150 LED Third Brake Light
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Best Value
Mihaz 5-Function Universal LED Third Brake Light
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Best Premium
Dorman 923-236 Center High Mount Stop Light for Select Ford / Lincoln Models
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Best for Jeeps
Suparee Spare Tire Brake Light
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How We Selected The Products
Whenever we put together a list of recommended products, we make sure to include only products we’d feel safe using ourselves. That can be particularly tough when it comes to lighting because there are plenty of gimmicky products out there. Considering there’s no room for error when it comes to safety-related products like these, we make sure to do the research to find out which are reliable. Any additional features are just nice touches to help them stand out from the others.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing yet on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
So, you’re looking at our top picks and getting frustrated. Sure, they’re cool and all, but they won’t bolt up to your car or truck. While we wish that wouldn’t happen, it’s inevitable when we’re dealing with application-specific products. That’s why we want to set you up with a buying guide. That way, you have the tools you need to find the third brake light that will work for your ride.
Do You Need a Third Brake Light?
Did your car come from the factory with a third brake light? If yes, then you do need one. If the one you have isn’t working, the housing is busted, or it’s missing entirely, you might end up with a ticket. Trust us, it’s cheaper and easier to replace it than it is to deal with citations.
Who says you need to stick with the factory equipment, though? There are plenty of aftermarket options available that can boost the looks of your car. Well, maybe it won’t do much on its own, but the stock one will stick out like a sore thumb if it doesn’t match your other updates.
Just because your vehicle doesn’t have one in stock form doesn’t mean it’s not worth adding either. A third brake light boosts the visibility of your car for other drivers. In short, it’s a quick way to make your car safer to drive.
- Required if comes with car from the factory
- Can boost aesthetics of your vehicle
- Adding a third brake light makes your vehicle safer to drive
Key Features
No, we’re not going to pretend like picking out a third brake light is rocket science. It’s mostly about picking out what you like. Even so, you’ll want to pay attention to these key features to make sure you are looking at something worth buying.
Application Compatibility
It might seem redundant to tell you to make sure application-specific parts match your car. It’s still a topic worth visiting when so many things can go wrong, though.
Whenever you’re looking at a third brake light, make sure it is compatible with your vehicle. Even if the description says it will, do yourself a favor and read into the reviews as there might be issues with bolting things onto a certain trim level. Also, if you’re looking at something universal, take a few minutes to think about how it will mount and look on your application.
Quality Construction
Manufacturing quality is always of importance. What could go wrong with something as simple as a third brake light? A lot, as the fitment might be all wrong, the parts can be cheap and brittle, the wiring might be cheap, and connectors may fail to stay connected. All of this can land you on the wrong side of the law.
How do you sort through quality when everyone tells you their third brake light is perfect? Customer complaints and praise, that’s how. Put in the time to see what people have to say. That’s the fastest way to make sure you invest in good parts.
Bulb Type
For the most part, you’ll have either LEDs or incandescent bulbs to pick from. Which you choose mostly depends on if you’re just looking to replace the factory equipment or if you want to increase safety by going brighter.
Before buying whatever pops up first, think about how that bulb type and the housing style match your rear tail lights. You want to make sure that they go well together and that the third brake light isn’t so different or absurd that it serves more as a distraction.
Expert Tips
And just like that, we’re nearly done with the buying guide. Simple stuff, right? Third brake lights are nothing to be intimidated by, and it’s a great thing to start playing around with when you’re just learning how to do repairs and modifications yourself. We’ve just got a few quick tips to share before we wrap things up.
Go Brighter
If you have the choice to stick with the factory option or to go with something a little brighter, take the step up. Brighter third brake lights do a better job at pronouncing your vehicle’s location to others. Also, it might double as a cargo light on pickup trucks, and it’s always good to see what you’re doing at night.
Install in a Highly Visible Place
This bit is for those going universal. If your car never has a third brake light to begin with, make sure you mount it somewhere that’s easy for other drivers to see. Also, be careful that the mounting location doesn’t obstruct your view through the rear window or serves as a distraction.
Don’t Go Overkill
There’s no need to try and blind or distract drivers behind you. This is an area where a little bit goes a long way. We’re not saying you can’t be creative. Just do so in a way that won’t attract the attention of local law enforcement in the wrong way.
FAQs
Settle down, we didn’t forget that you have some general questions you want to be answered before you set off on your journey to picking out third brake lights. That’s why we want to answer a few FAQs surrounding the subject!
Q. Can you get pulled over for your third brake light being out?
There is a lot of debate over whether or not you can be lawfully pulled over and cited for a third brake light. That’s because some state laws only state that brake lights need to be present on either side of the vehicle and nothing about third brake lights. However, federal law requires third brake lights to be in working order if a vehicle comes equipped with them. Therefore, you can still be pulled over for a third brake light being out.
Q. What is a third brake light called?
Third brake light is another name for center high-mount stop light. Other names for it include high-level brake lamps and safety brake lamps. So, whenever you hear these names thrown out, you know they are referring to the same thing.
Q. How does a third brake light work?
A third brake light works just like any other brake light. You step on the brake pedal, and it lights up. It can either have a harness of its own or make use of your trailer wiring harness. We should mention that some will have additional functions, but that all depends on the application.
Q. Does a third brake light have a fuse?
A third brake light likely won’t have a fuse of its own. Unless there’s a custom harness in place that incorporates one, it’s going to rely on your car’s fuse block.
Q. Is a blinking third brake light illegal?
For the most part, there are no laws prohibiting strobing or flashing third brake lights. That might not be the case in your area. You should always check with local laws before modifying the lights on your vehicle.
About the Author
Hank O’Hop is a self-taught gearhead struggling with a lifelong love affair with classic automobiles. He may not have experience in a professional garage, but he’s broken more than his fair share of parts to know how not to do things under the hood. He’s driven to find what works and what doesn’t. Writing serves as an opportunity to help others avoid the headaches he’s bound to come across.
Why Trust Us
The Drive seeks to be the internet’s premier destination for news, features, reviews and guides about modern automotive culture.
Founded as the /DRIVE YouTube channel before growing into a full-fledged online publication in 2015, The Drive brings you the best of what’s new in the world of speed, from gear reviews to the latest industry coverage—all from a veteran team of writers and editors with many decades of combined hands-on experience. Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.