Buy Dodge Charger Headlight Assembly

Quick Overview

Dodge Charger headlights-also called headlamps, front lamps, or light assemblies-let you see the road and help others see you. Most 2015-2023 sedans use either 9012 or 9005 halogen bulbs, while upper trims use D3S high-intensity-discharge (HID) capsules (AUXITO). Earlier generations (2006-2014) follow different socket sizes but the same idea: one sealed housing powers both low- and high-beam patterns. A 2014 safety recall fixed overheated wiring that could suddenly cut low beams (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that 2022 Charger lamps shine well down a straight road but create glare and lose reach on sharp curves (IIHS Crash Testing).

Fit & Years

• 2006-2010: First-gen Chargers share a two-piece headlight housing with 9008/H13 halogen bulbs.
• 2011-2014: Mid-cycle cars swap to 9005 bulbs for halogen trims and D1S HID capsules on performance models (AUXITO).
• 2015-Present: A sleeker projector housing accepts 9012 or 9005 halogens; HID cars keep D3S burners. Daytime-running lights (DRL) and "racetrack" LED halos are built into the assembly.
• Check your VIN and the sticker molded into the housing to match sockets and aiming tabs-mix-ups can cause poor focus and excess glare.

Bulb Types & Technology

Halogen

A quartz envelope and tungsten filament glow white-yellow at about 3,200 K. They are cheap and legal everywhere but last 400-600 hours (Alla Lighting Automotive LED Bulbs).

HID (Xenon)

A tiny arc lights xenon gas to create a bright 4,200 K beam. HIDs reach 3,000+ lumens and last up to 2,000 hours, but they need a high-voltage ballast and require warm-up time .

LED

Solid-state diodes fire instantly, draw less power, and can last 20,000 hours . The U.S. rule allowing adaptive-driving-beam (ADB) LED headlights took effect in 2022, letting smart lamps dim only the part of the beam that would blind other drivers (Axios).

Color & Brightness Rules

U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) sets beam pattern, intensity, and aim limits (Federal Register), while SAE J578 defines the legal white or selective-yellow color box for visible light (ANSI Blog).

Common Problems

• Condensation or fogging: Service bulletin 23-043-20 directs dealers to install new vent caps when moisture forms inside 2015-2020 lamps (NHTSA). Owners note that tiny drill holes or silica packs can help clear light mist (Charger Forums).
• Dim or flickering low beams: Overheated connectors from the 2014 recall can cut voltage to the low-beam circuit (NHTSA).
• Mis-aimed lights: Charger housings only allow vertical adjustment; there is no factory screw for left-right correction (Charger ForumZ).
• Blown fuses: Look for micro-fuse F13 in the engine-bay box on most 2021 models (ManualsLib).

Safety & Rules

Bright upgrades can be tempting, but illegally installed LEDs may dazzle oncoming traffic and fail annual safety tests (The Sun). Always pick bulbs marked "DOT" and aim them so the top edge of the cutoff lies just below head-height on a wall 25 ft (7.6 m) away. State laws follow FMVSS 108, so sticking to its beam pattern and color specs keeps you street-legal (Federal Register).

DIY Replacement

1. Pop the hood, turn the wheel outward, and remove three push-pins to peel back the fender liner (YouTube).
2. Unplug the wiring harness and twist the bulb counter-clockwise to release it.
3. Avoid touching the glass; oils shorten bulb life.
4. Re-seat the new lamp, reconnect the plug, and test before closing up. A full headlight assembly swap on 2016-2023 models takes about 30 minutes once the bumper fascia is loosened (YouTube).

Maintenance Tips

• Clean lenses with mild soap; harsh chemicals cloud the UV-coating.
• Seal micro-cracks using clear silicone to block water.
• Check aim twice a year; potholes can knock projectors off target (Charger ForumZ).
• Replace fuses and relays if both lights drop out-this is faster than chasing wiring faults (ManualsLib).

Upgrade Options

• LED retrofits: Choose units that include an internal cutoff shield to mimic OEM beam shape; otherwise, glare complaints may follow (The Sun).
• ADB projectors: Newer kits steer light around oncoming traffic by independently dimming LED segments, now legal under the 2022 NHTSA rule (Axios).
• Smoked or tinted housings: Check local regulations; some states ban tints that cut luminous intensity below FMVSS 108 minima (Federal Register).

Troubleshooting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size does a 2019 Charger use?
A: Halogen trims take 9005 dual-filament bulbs, while HID trims use D3S capsules (AUXITO).

Q: Can I swap halogen bulbs to LED without extra parts?
A: You can, but choose LED kits with built-in drivers and the correct socket; poor-quality kits may throw dashboard errors or fail state inspection (The Sun).

Q: Why do my lights fog up after rain?
A: Moisture sneaks past the vent cap; Dodge issued a service bulletin that replaces the cap and seals the housing (NHTSA).

Q: How long should factory halogen bulbs last?
A: About 400-600 hours of use, or roughly four years for the average driver (Alla Lighting Automotive LED Bulbs).

Q: Does the Charger have adaptive headlights?
A: Newer LED packages can include adaptive-driving-beam tech that bends or shades light; U.S. rules now allow it starting with the 2023 model year (Axios).

Q: Which fuse controls the headlights?
A: On many 2021 cars it's micro-fuse F13 (10 A) in the under-hood box (ManualsLib).

Q: My low beams quit but highs work-why?
A: Check for the 2014 wiring-overheat recall fix; a bad connector can cut only the low-beam circuit (NHTSA).

Q: Are smoked lenses legal?
A: They're legal only if the final light output still meets FMVSS 108 intensity and color rules (Federal Register).

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper to swap bulbs?
A: No-turn the steering wheel outward, pull the fender liner back, and twist out the bulb as shown in video guides (YouTube).

Q: How do I aim the headlights?
A: Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall on level ground, then turn the vertical adjuster until the cutoff sits just below the head-height line (Charger ForumZ).

Q: What color temperature is best for night driving?
A: Around 4,300 K mimics daylight and cuts through rain and fog better than ultra-blue bulbs (ANSI Blog).

Q: Are HID bulbs brighter than LED?
A: HIDs can reach 3,500 lumens, but premium LEDs now match that with instant light and lower power draw (Alla Lighting Automotive LED Bulbs).

Q: Can condensation damage the ballast?
A: Yes-water droplets can short the HID ballast; fix leaks quickly to avoid a costly replacement (Charger Forums).

Q: Why does my dashboard say "Headlamp out" after I added LEDs?
A: The computer senses a lower draw; installing a CAN-bus decoder or resistor usually clears the warning (The Sun).

Q: Do Chargers have a horizontal aim screw?
A: Factory housings only adjust up or down; side-to-side aiming would need shim washers behind the mounting tabs (Charger ForumZ).

Q: How do I tell if my car has HID or halogen?
A: Look for a square ballast under the lamp or the "D3S" stamp on the bulb cap-halogens won't have either (AUXITO).

Q: Will aftermarket halos void my warranty?
A: Electrical mods can void coverage on related parts, so keep receipts and follow FMVSS 108 rules to stay protected (Federal Register).

This guide uses trusted automotive standards, government documents, and technical bulletins to give you accurate, up-to-date headlight advice for every Dodge Charger model year.