Buy Honda Accord Headlight Assembly

Overview

A headlight (also called a headlamp or front light assembly) lets you see the road and helps others see you at night. Honda designs Accord headlights to meet federal rules that set brightness, beam shape, and mounting height. These rules sit in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which says every low beam must shine from the top bulb in a stacked pair and stay aimed so it will not blind on-coming drivers. (XenonPro, eCFR)

Fitment

Honda has built the Accord since 1976, but the housing, bulb size, and wiring change by generation. From 2018-2022, the low beam uses a 9005 (HB3) halogen or LED capsule, while the 2013-2017 cars take an H11 low beam and a 9005 high beam. Older 2003-2007 models use 9006/HB4 lows and 9005 highs. Always match the part number printed on your old bulb or in the owner's manual before you buy a replacement headlight assembly or bulb. (XenonPro)

Bulb Types

• Halogen bulbs are the cheapest. They last about 1,000 hours, or two to five years for most drivers. (Reddit)
• LED capsules use less power and can glow for 20,000 hours, but only when they fit the factory reflector or projector. A scientific test found halogen glass lets 0.5-1 percent more light reach the road than some aftermarket LEDs, so bright light is not the same as good focus. (Nature)
• HID (xenon) bulbs produce a blue-white arc. They need a ballast, cost more, and may not fit every Accord housing. (XenonPro)

Safety & Legal

U.S. law bans red, blue, or green headlights because colored beams cut visibility. California's vehicle code is clear: white or slightly yellow only. (CaseyGerry Trial Lawyers) In 2024, safety groups warned that overly bright or badly aimed LED conversions can dazzle other road users and raise crash risk; regulators in the U.K. have already opened a glare review and plan to force auto-leveling on new cars by 2027. (The Sun, The Guardian) If you change to LED or HID, adjust the beam height on level ground so the cut-off hits the wall no higher than your headlight centerline at 25 feet. (eCFR)

Common Issues

• Moisture inside the lamp housing-often a small leak around the bulb gasket-causes foggy lenses. Dry the unit with a hair dryer, then reseal it with fresh silicone. (6thgenaccord.com)
• Intermittent dimming on some 8th-gen cars comes from the electronic load detector cycling the alternator; Honda issued software updates for this. (Drive Accord)
• Yellowed lenses appear on 2003-2007 plastic covers after years of sun. Oxidation blocks light and can be polished off, though a severe haze may need complete headlight replacement. (Reddit, YouTube)
• Recalls rarely target the lamp itself, but always check your VIN for open campaigns on Honda's official recall portal. (Honda Owners)

Maintenance

Clean the clear lens with mild soap every wash. If it turns dull, sand it with 600- to 3,000-grit paper, add plastic polish, then seal it with UV-resistant clear coat so it stays clear longer. (Reddit, YouTube)
Headlight aim drifts after bumps or suspension work. Use the adjuster screw behind the lamp: one full turn moves the beam roughly ½ inch at 25 feet. Videos for 2013-2017 Accords show the exact screw location above the washer bottle. (YouTube)

DIY Replacement

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the bumper cover on 2013-2017 models to expose the headlamp bolts. (YouTube)
3. Unplug the wiring harness and pull the lamp housing free.
4. Swap bulbs or transfer all clips and seals to the new light assembly.
5. Reinstall, tighten bolts to 7 ft-lb, refit the bumper, and check beam aim.

Cost & Time

A single OEM-style halogen bulb costs under $20; premium LEDs run $70-$120 a pair. Whole lamp housings range from $150 to $450 each, and labor at many shops adds 1-2 hours. Owners report quotes near $1,000 at dealerships because of bumper removal, so DIY can save hundreds. (XenonPro, Reddit)

Eco Disposal

Halogen glass can go in household trash if wrapped to stop cuts, while HID bulbs contain small mercury traces and must be recycled at a municipal hazardous-waste site. Check local rules and drop spent bulbs at recycling centers or hardware stores that offer collection bins. (The Home Depot)

Tech Upgrades

Late-model Accords add auto high-beam sensing. With the stalk in "AUTO," the car lifts to high beam over 25 mph when no oncoming headlights appear, then snaps back to low beam when traffic approaches. (Honda Info Center) Future rules may make automatic leveling a must on all new cars to cut glare. (The Guardian)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size fits a 2020 Honda Accord low beam?
A: It takes a 9005 (HB3) capsule-halogen or factory LED, depending on trim. (XenonPro)

Q: Can I swap LEDs into an older halogen headlamp?
A: Only if the LED is road-legal, fits the reflector, and you adjust the beam so it does not glare. (CaseyGerry Trial Lawyers, The Sun)

Q: How long do Accord headlight bulbs last?
A: Halogen types average 1,000 hours; LEDs can last 20,000 hours or more. (Reddit, Nature)

Q: Why is water inside my headlight?
A: A torn rubber gasket or cracked seal lets moist air in. Dry the housing with warm air and reseal the leak. (6thgenaccord.com)

Q: My headlights pulse while driving-normal?
A: Some 2008-2012 Accords cycle the alternator to save fuel, causing a brief dim every few seconds; a software update can reduce it. (Drive Accord)

Q: Are blue headlights legal on my Accord?
A: No. U.S. rules allow only white or soft yellow beams; blue or other colors fail inspection. (CaseyGerry Trial Lawyers)

Q: Do I have to remove the bumper to change a bulb?
A: No. Most bulbs twist out from the engine bay, but whole lamp replacement on 9th-gen models does need bumper removal. (YouTube)

Q: How do I aim my lights?
A: Park 25 ft from a wall, turn the adjuster screw until the cut-off is at headlight height on the wall. (YouTube)

Q: What does "auto high-beam" do?
A: It turns high beams on and off for you when traffic conditions allow. (Honda Info Center)

Q: Where can I check for recalls?
A: Visit Honda's recall lookup site and enter your 17-digit VIN. (Honda Owners)