Buy Hyundai Elantra Headlight Assembly

Background Info

Hyundai Elantra headlights-or head lamps, front lamps, and beam assemblies-keep you safe by lighting the road, signalling other drivers, and adding style to the sedan or hatchback. They fit in model-specific housings, usually use H11 low-beam and 9005 high-beam bulbs on 2011-2020 cars, and switch to full LED projectors on newer 2021-present trims. Good lights boost crash-avoidance scores, but dim, mis-aimed, or moist lamps shorten bulb life and can even fail safety tests.

Fit & Compatibility

• 2011-2020 Elantra sedans use reflector housings with H11 low-beam and 9005 high-beam bulbs. (AUXITO)
• 2021-present cars move to dual-projector LED units on higher trims, while base trims still carry halogen projectors. (Hyundai News, IIHS Crash Testing)
• Hatchback/GT lights are shaped differently; GT N Line with Tech Package gets adaptive LEDs rated "A" by IIHS. (IIHS Crash Testing)
• Always match the year and body style; housings, tabs, and wiring differ.

Hyundai owner's manual fuse chart shows the "HEAD LAMP" 10 A fuse inside the cabin box, handy for no-power diagnosis.

Bulb & Lamp Types

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Halogen bulbs burn 400-1 500 h (about 2-5 years for most drivers). (Reddit, Your AAA Network) LEDs last far longer-often the life of the car-but only if the cooling fan stays clean.

Light Technology

• Halogen - cheap, easy to swap, range ~300 ft on low beam. (AAA Northeast)
• LED - brighter white light, lower draw, but glare rises if lamps are retro-fitted or mis-aimed; UK and U.S. agencies are reviewing complaints about dazzle. (The Guardian, The Sun)
• HID/Xenon - rare on Elantra; aftermarket kits may violate DOT beam-pattern rules. (GovInfo)
• A Nature study found LEDs pierce fog slightly less than xenon but equal halogen in clear air. (Nature)

Installation Steps

1. Pop the hood and pull the battery negative cable for safety.
2. Remove the access cap behind the lamp.
3. Twist and pull the bulb counter-clockwise.
4. Seat the new bulb-do not touch the glass.
5. Re-attach the cap and reconnect the battery.
6. Aim the beams: Park 25 ft from a wall, adjust screws until low-beam cutoff sits at or just below headlight centerline. (YouTube)
   Total DIY time: 20-30 min; only a Phillips screwdriver is needed.

Maintenance & Care

• Clean lenses with mild soap; yellow haze can cut output 80 %. (Your AAA Network)
• Fix condensation by removing the rear cap, letting the housing dry, and swapping the silica packet-an owner-tested $5 cure. (Reddit, The Irish Sun)
• Check wiring and the 10 A fuse if both lamps quit. (Hyundai Owner's Manual)

Common Problems

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Laws & Standards

• U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard §393.24 requires dual-beam headlamps and DOT approval. (GovInfo)
• Headlights must project at least 5 lux at 100 ft; IIHS uses this to grade each trim. (IIHS Crash Testing)
• Modern low beams let drivers stop safely only up to 52 mph, so slow down on dark roads. (AAA)
• LED retrofits that break the factory beam pattern can fail annual inspections and MoT tests. (The Sun)

Safety Ratings

• 2020 Elantra earns Acceptable with LEDs, Poor with base halogens. (IIHS Crash Testing)
• 2021 redesign offers three LED systems; top trim scores Good. (IIHS Crash Testing)
• GT N Line LED setup rated A for curves but still out-performs halogens. (IIHS Crash Testing)

Cost & Warranty

Professional bulb replacement averages $150-$192 (parts + labor). (RepairPal.com) Full headlight assemblies run $250-$700 each, depending on LED or halogen. Many insurance policies cover broken housings under comprehensive claims; Hyundai's 5-year/60 k mi basic warranty covers factory defects but not wear items like bulbs.

Upgrades & Customization

• Plug-in LED conversion kits exist for H11/9005 sockets, but choose units with built-in beam shields and DOT-compliant patterns.
• For a legal OEM-style LED look, swap the entire projector assembly from a higher-trim Elantra; this maintains factory aim and avoids glare.
• Add film-type clear-coat UV protectant to keep polycarbonate lenses clear for up to five years.

Troubleshooting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size does a 2018 Hyundai Elantra use?
A: Low-beam is H11; high-beam is 9005. Always confirm in your owner's guide. (AUXITO)

Q: Can I swap halogen bulbs for LEDs?
A: Yes, but the kit must keep the same beam pattern or it could be illegal and blinding. (The Sun, GovInfo)

Q: How long do headlight bulbs last?
A: Halogens last roughly 400-1 500 hours, which is 2-5 years for most drivers; LEDs last much longer. (Reddit, Your AAA Network)

Q: How do I fix foggy or wet headlights?
A: Dry the housing, replace the silica pack, and check vents; most moisture clears in a day. (Reddit, The Irish Sun)

Q: What is the cost to replace a bulb at a shop?
A: Around $150-$192 including labor. (RepairPal.com)

Q: Do I need to replace both bulbs together?
A: It's smart to change bulbs in pairs so brightness and color match.

Q: How do I aim my headlights?
A: Park 25 ft from a wall on level ground; adjust screws until the low-beam cutoff sits just below lamp centerline. (YouTube)

Q: Where is the headlight fuse?
A: In the interior fuse panel, labeled "HEAD LAMP" (10 A). (Hyundai Owner's Manual)

Q: Are newer Elantra headlights safer?
A: Yes. IIHS rates LED projectors on 2021-present cars as Good when properly aimed. (IIHS Crash Testing)

Q: Why do oncoming LEDs seem too bright?
A: Poor alignment or taller SUVs raise beam height; agencies are reviewing glare and new auto-level rules take effect in 2027. (The Guardian)

Q: Can condensation make me fail inspection?
A: Yes-water scatters light and many safety tests fail damp lamps. Dry them before testing. (The Irish Sun)

Q: What distance do low beams safely cover?
A: AAA finds most low beams light only 300-400 ft-safe to about 50 mph on dry roads. (AAA)

Q: Does cleaning lenses really help?
A: Restoring hazy plastic can double light output and cut glare by 60 %. (Your AAA Network)