When a headlight goes out, you lose visibility at night and might risk getting a fix-it ticket. Luckily, replacing a headlight bulb is a simple task in most cases.
How much does it cost to replace a headlight bulb?
In most cases, it costs $20 to $440 to replace a headlight bulb.
If you aren’t handy, consider that Walmart offers a headlight replacement service at $10 per headlight plus cost of parts. Walmart also sells bulbs for about $10, such as the Sylvania 9005 Basic Halogen bulbs, so you could be out the door for about $20. Experts do advise changing bulbs in pairs, a point we shall explore later.
So why such a big difference in cost? It comes down to the type of headlight bulb you use and the cost of labor for your replacement.
Cost of parts
There are three types of headlight bulbs used in today’s cars: halogen, high-intensity discharge (HID) and LED bulbs. All of these have different costs and lifespans. For example, all of these bulbs are sold at AutoZone. The first two fit a 2015 Honda Accord, while the last one fits a 2001 Acura TL:
| Name | Type of bulb | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sylvania Basic Headlight Bulb H11-2 | Halogen | $32.99 (pair) |
| Sylvania LED Headlight Bulb H11SLBX2 | LED | $99.99 (pair) |
| Sylvania SilverStar zXe Headlight Bulb H11SZGOLD-2 | HID | $104.99 (single) |
Should I replace both bulbs?
While you can change just one bulb, experts advise that you change both at once. Lightbulb maker Phillips advises changing both at the same time. Here’s why:
- Headlights degrade over time, and if you pair an older bulb with a newer one, you won’t achieve the same brightness.
- If one bulb burned out, the other isn’t too far off.
- Changing both of them eliminates worry about the other bulb for a while.
Labor cost
Labor costs can vary significantly depending on how complex changing a lightbulb is. In some cars, you only need to pop the hood, and the headlight bulb is easily accessible. In others, you have to remove parts and bodywork in the way.
Changing a pair of lightbulbs takes between 0.2 to 1.1 labor hours. Mechanics’ per-hour rates across the United States range from $110 to $175. This means that the labor cost for a headlight bulb replacement would be $22 for 0.2 hours at the lowest rate and $192.50 for 1.1 hours at the highest rate.
Can I replace a headlight bulb myself?
Yes, replacing a headlight bulb yourself is generally possible in most cars. In most cars, here are the general steps:
- Buy the bulbs. You can check your manual or go online to a parts retailer and put in your car’s details, and they’ll help you find suitable parts.
- Pop the hood and locate the headlights.
- Remove any parts in the way if necessary (see next paragraph).
- Remove the bulb. Unplug the connector and remove the clip holding the bulb in.
- Install a new bulb, making sure not to touch the bulb’s glass to avoid contamination from finger oils.
Some cars are much more complicated than the steps outlined above because they require extensive removal of body parts. An example of this is the 2014 Ford Fusion. To access the headlight bulb, you need to remove the headlight assembly, which requires you to separate the bumper from the fender bracket.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Phil Metzger is a personal finance editor and writer with more than 30 years of experience editing and writing content across a variety of industries. In writing and editing for Jerry, Phil’s mission is to help car owners better understand their vehicles and the costs associated with car ownership. Before joining Jerry, Phil worked as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, television radio and online news. His work has appeared in many major publications and websites over the years, including a series he edited that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.
