How do you replace the lamp for the rear license.

1 Lift the rear gate to access the license plate lens above the license plate.

2 Locate the lens and note if visible retaining screws are present. According to the owners manual for some Escapes, removing the screws will be required to remove the lens. Many Ford Escapes, however, are not equipped with license plate lens retaining screws. If screws are present, remove them with the screwdriver and skip Step 3.
3 Note the position of the arrow stamped on the license plate lens. Pry the lens in the direction of the arrow with the small screwdriver. Do not apply too much pressure with the screwdriver so as not to crack or break the lens. The lens needs to have the two plastic tabs on the opposite side of the arrow revealed and then pried downward gently to remove it.

4 Turn the bulb socket assembly 1/4 turn clockwise to unseat it.

5 Pull the bulb straight out of the socket assembly and insert the new bulb. Test the bulb by turning on the lights before reassembling.

6 To reassemble, reverse the procedure.