Buy Buick Regal Headlight Assembly

Quick Summary

Quick Summary

The headlight - also called a headlamp, front lamp, or light housing - on every Buick Regal keeps you and other drivers safe by lighting the road, making your car visible, and showing turn signals or daytime running lights. Owner-manual data list common bulb numbers such as H11 low-beam and H7 high-beam for 2011-2013 cars and HIR2 or D3S high-intensity-discharge (HID) units in many 2014-2020 models (GM Assets). Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 sets minimum and maximum light intensity, beam patterns, color limits, and rules for aimability and bulb replacement . Real-world reports show that moisture inside the lens, burned connectors, and cloudy plastic are typical failure points . Swapping in modern light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs can cut power use by roughly 75 % while lasting far longer than old halogen filaments , yet correct aim is vital to avoid glare complaints that AAA studies highlight . Regular cleaning, correct vertical aim (center of lens at least 22 in / 55 cm off the ground) , and prompt bulb changes all help you pass inspections and drive confidently at night.

What It Does

Function & Components

A Regal headlight assembly combines four main parts:

1. Outer lens - clear polycarbonate that can haze over time.
2. Reflector or projector bowl - focuses light into low- and high-beam patterns.
3. Bulbs or light modules - halogen capsules, HID arc tubes, or LED chips, depending on trim year .
4. Adjustment hardware - vertical and (on some trims) horizontal screws required by FMVSS 108 for aim checks .

Because the unit also houses turn-signal and sidemarker bulbs, a cracked lens can let water reach several circuits at once, dimming light output and triggering lamp-out warnings .

Fit & Years

Model-Year Compatibility

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Always confirm the production month and trim before ordering a lamp or bulb because Buick sometimes changed sockets mid-year.

Bulb & Tech

Bulb Reference List

• 1997-2004: 9006 (LB) / 9005 (HB).
• 2011-2013: H11 (LB) / H7 (HB) with separate 4157A front turn lamps .
• 2014-2017: HIR2 (LB) or D3S (HID) dual-beam capsule; PSY24W turn lamp .
• 2018-2020: Sealed LED module identified in parts catalog as "multi-function lamp" (dealer service only) .

Halogen vs. HID vs. LED

• Halogen lights meet the same federal photometry limits as HID but appear warmer and dimmer to the eye .
• AAA tests show many halogen low beams safely illuminate only about 300 ft (91 m), limiting safe speed to roughly 55 mph (88 km/h) at night .
• HID and LED systems throw whiter, wider light yet must still be aimed to 0° horizontal unless fitted with a vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD) .

Common Problems

Typical Failures

• Condensation & water pools inside the lens that fog optics or corrode sockets; forum users often dry the lamp with a hair dryer and reseal perimeter joints with clear silicone .
• Melted low-beam connectors; GM bulletin 10-08-42-001E instructs technicians to splice a new pigtail instead of replacing the whole assembly .
• Cloudy or yellow lens caused by UV damage; polishing kits restore clarity but remove the factory hard-coat, so re-apply UV sealer afterward to slow future haze.
• Blown fuses or cycling lights may indicate shorted wiring; manuals advise checking the under-hood fuse block first .

Installation Tips

DIY Replacement

1. Disconnect the battery on HID-equipped cars to avoid high-voltage shock warnings in the service manual .
2. For 2011-2017 models, remove three plastic clips and the bumper-cover screws to slide the headlamp forward, giving room to unclip the wiring harness.
3. Replace H11 or HIR2 bulbs by turning the dust-cap counter-clockwise, pulling the old bulb straight out, and seating the new one without touching the glass .
4. After reassembly, park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall and adjust vertical aim so the top of the low-beam cutoff lands at or just below head-lamp center height, matching FMVSS 108 test distance guidelines .

Legal & Safety

Regulations & Aiming

• Federal rules forbid horizontal adjustment unless the lamp includes a certified VHAD; most Regal lamps adjust vertical only .
• The beam center must sit at least 22 in (55 cm) above the road surface to stay legal in all states .
• Color must remain white between 3 700 K and 7 000 K per SAE J578 limits .
• Flashing or strobing headlamps are prohibited on passenger vehicles except for turn-signal function .

Care & Upgrades

Maintenance & Mods

• Wash polycarbonate lenses with mild soap; harsh chemicals etch the UV layer and speed hazing .
• A thin coat of automotive wax every season helps block UV.
• LED retrofit kits save energy (up to 75 % less power) and run cooler, which slows reflector aging .
• Before installing LEDs, verify beam pattern on a wall; AAA notes that poorly aimed LEDs create glare complaints despite meeting lumen claims .
• If you drive mainly on unlit roads, consider adding factory-style fog lamps; studies show low beams alone may not light enough distance above 55 mph .

Environment

Disposal & Recycling

Halogen, HID, and LED bulbs contain glass, metal, and, in the case of HID capsules, a small amount of mercury. The U.S. EPA recommends bringing burnt-out bulbs to a local recycling center or household hazardous-waste event instead of tossing them in regular trash .

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb fits the low-beam on a 2012 Buick Regal?
A: An H11 halogen bulb fits the low-beam socket on 2011-2013 Regal models .

Q: Does my 2015 Regal GS use HID?
A: Yes-GS and other uplevel trims from 2014-2017 use a single D3S HID capsule for both low and high beam functions .

Q: Why does my headlight fog up after rain?
A: A small crack or loose seal lets moisture in; drying the lamp and resealing the perimeter with clear silicone usually fixes it .

Q: Is it legal to install blue-tinted bulbs?
A: Headlamp color must stay within the white range set by SAE J578; very blue bulbs may fail inspection .

Q: How far should my low beams light the road?
A: AAA tests found typical halogen low beams clearly illuminate about 300 ft, which is safe up to roughly 55 mph at night .

Q: Can I adjust horizontal aim on my Regal?
A: No-most Regals permit vertical adjustment only; horizontal screws are locked unless the lamp has a VHAD system .

Q: What height should the beam center be?
A: FMVSS 108 interpretations state the headlamp lens center must be at least 22 in above the road .

Q: Are LED retrofit kits plug-and-play?
A: They fit the socket, but you must check beam pattern and aim, and some states require DOT-compliant kits .

Q: How do I keep the plastic lens clear?
A: Clean with car-wash soap, polish only when needed, and apply UV-blocking sealant or wax every few months to slow yellowing .

Q: Where can I recycle used HID bulbs?
A: Visit a local hazardous-waste center or recycling facility, as recommended by the EPA .