My daughter just bought a 2003 Tribute with burned out tag lights, and I can't figure out how to get at them. The owners manual talks about removing two screws...but that doesn't resemble what I see. The only screws I can see appear to be holding the entire hatch handle assembly in place, and there are four of them.

There is a clear plastic cover over each of the lights, which seems to be spring loaded. I can move the clear plastic covers in the direction of the arrows embossed on the plastic covers, but there isn't enough travel to allow them to release. I'm afraid something will break if I stick a screwdriver in there and pry the cover out.

I must be missing something. Can anyone help?

 

Just had this issue with my daughter's 02 Trib; remove the two screws that you see to allow the door latch trim to come off first. This will provide you with move room to slide the tag light covers over and pop them out. I still had to insert a small screwdriver to pop out one of the covers. Take your time and they'll pop out without breaking.