Buy Ford F-150 Headlight Bulbs

Ford F-150 headlight bulbs-also called head-lamps, front-light bulbs, or head-lamp lamps-come in a few common sizes (H13/9008, H11, 9005) depending on the model year. Halogen bulbs make about 1,000-1,500 lumens, while newer LED replacements can reach 6,000 lumens or more for the same truck. Good beam aim and meeting U.S. safety rule FMVSS 108 keep you and other drivers safe. Swapping a bulb is a simple do-it-yourself job with a flat-blade screwdriver and gloves, but you must never touch the glass with bare hands. Many drivers upgrade to LED or adaptive matrix lights for brighter, whiter light and lower power draw, yet state laws may restrict plug-in LED conversions. Regular checks, proper aiming, and quick fuse fixes help your F-150's lights last longer and shine true. (xenonpro.com, iihs.org, ecfr.gov, nhtsa.gov)

• Common sizes - 2004-2020 trucks with halogen reflectors usually use dual-beam H13 (9008) bulbs; projector-style low beams use H11, and separate high beams take 9005. (xenonpro.com, auxito.com)
• Light output - A stock H13 halogen makes roughly 1,000-1,500 lumens and draws about 55-60 watts. (sealight-led.com)
• LED upgrades - Popular LED kits advertise 6,000-24,000 lumens per set, giving whiter 6,000-6,500 K light and longer service life. (superbrightleds.com, btslighting.com)

• 13th-gen (2015-2020): Reflector housings use H13 bulbs for both beams; projector trims split to H11 lows and 9005 highs. (xenonpro.com)
• 14th-gen (2021-present): Most trims ship with sealed LED modules-bulb swaps are not possible; the whole lamp unit must be replaced. (f150gen14.com, ford.com)
• Lightning EV: Shares the LED modules; Pro Power Onboard does not affect lighting circuits. (ford.com)

• Beam pattern-IIHS tests show trucks with "good" rated head-lamps cut single-vehicle night crashes by 19 percent. (iihs.org)
• Color temperature-Halogen's warm 3,200 K light penetrates fog better, while cool 6,000 K LEDs appear brighter but can create glare. (bulbfacts.com, vox.com)
• Heat & life-LEDs run cooler and can last 20,000 hours; halogens often dim after 500-1,000 hours. (sealight-led.com, btslighting.com)

• U.S. rule FMVSS 108 sets limits on brightness, color, and steady-burning behavior for replacement lamps. (ecfr.gov)
• NHTSA notes that installing a non-compliant LED bulb leaves legality to each state, so always check local code before converting. (nhtsa.gov)
• A 2022 recall fixed park-lamp flicker that failed the "steady-burn" rule on 77,804 F-150 trucks. (f150gen14.com)
• Driver glare is rising; surveys show 91 % of motorists report being dazzled by bright lights. (thesun.co.uk, vox.com)

1. Open the hood and pull the plastic push-pins from the head-lamp trim panel. (ford.com)
2. Remove the lamp by loosening two 10 mm screws, then slide straight forward.
3. Twist out the bulb socket counter-clockwise.
4. Swap bulbs-avoid touching the glass; oil shortens life.
5. Reconnect & test low and high beams; replace the 20 A fuse if one side stays dark. (youtube.com, f150forum.com)
6. Aim the lamps on a level surface; each full turn of the adjuster screw moves the cutoff about 1 in. at 25 ft. (f150forum.com, f150forum.com)

• Check monthly for moisture in the housing; a foggy lens scatters light.
• Replace in pairs-matched brightness keeps the beam even.
• Glove up when handling any lamp to stop skin oils from forming hot spots.
• Clean lenses with mild soap; yellow haze can cut light by 40 %. (iihs.org)

• Plug-in LED kits offer quick gains but must be properly aimed to avoid glare. Bulb Facts lab tests show big variation in quality. (bulbfacts.com, ford-trucks.com)
• Adaptive matrix LEDs (found on higher trims) dim specific zones so oncoming drivers aren't blinded while you keep full-range lighting. (ford.com)
• After a lift kit, always re-aim your lights; a nose-up stance can send the beam too high. (f150forum.com)

LED lamps use roughly half the power of halogens and place less load on the alternator, saving a bit of fuel and cutting CO₂ over the truck's life. (btslighting.com)

Q: What head-lamp bulb does my 2018 F-150 use?
A: Most 2015-2020 trucks use an H13 dual-beam bulb for both low and high beams unless they have projector headlights, which switch to H11 low and 9005 high. (xenonpro.com)

Q: How bright is a stock F-150 head-lamp bulb?
A: A typical halogen H13 in your truck makes about 1,200 lumens on low beam. (sealight-led.com)

Q: Are LED replacement bulbs legal on public roads?
A: Federal law regulates the bulb itself, but once installed, legality is set by state rules. Check local code and be sure the kit is properly aimed. (nhtsa.gov)

Q: Do brighter bulbs draw more power?
A: Yes-halogen wattage is fixed, but some high-output bulbs trade life for brightness. LEDs give more light per watt and run cooler. (btslighting.com, superbrightleds.com)

Q: Why do my lights look foggy?
A: A hazed lens or moisture inside the housing scatters light. Clean the lens and replace the seal or vent plug if water keeps returning. (iihs.org)

Q: My right high beam stopped working-what should I check first?
A: Swap in a known-good bulb; if it stays dark, check the dedicated right-side fuse in the battery junction box. (f150forum.com)

Q: How long do halogen bulbs last?
A: Expect 500-1,000 hours of use before dimming starts. Heavy vibration or touching the glass can cut that time. (sealight-led.com)

Q: What color temperature is best?
A: Warm 3,000-4,300 K halogen light cuts through rain and fog, while cool 6,000 K LEDs appear whiter but can create more glare if mis-aimed. (vox.com, bulbfacts.com)

Q: Will lifting my truck affect the beam?
A: Yes-raising the front end tilts the lights upward. Re-aim them after any suspension change. (f150forum.com)

Q: Are adaptive headlights available on the F-150?
A: Higher-trim 2025 models can option matrix LED head-lamps that automatically dim parts of the beam for oncoming traffic. (ford.com)

Q: What safety benefit do good headlights provide?
A: Trucks with "good" head-lamps see about 19 % fewer night-time single-vehicle crashes compared to trucks with poor lights. (iihs.org)

Q: Has Ford recalled any F-150 lighting issues?
A: Yes-a 2022 campaign fixed a park-lamp flicker that didn't meet steady-burn rules. Dealers reprogrammed the body control module. (f150gen14.com)

Q: Can I just change one bulb?
A: You can, but replacing both keeps color and brightness even, giving a balanced beam on the road. (xenonpro.com)

Q: How do I keep from blinding other drivers?
A: Use the built-in adjuster screws to keep the cutoff no higher than the center of the other car's grille at 25 ft, and avoid ultra-blue aftermarket bulbs. (f150forum.com, thesun.co.uk)

By understanding sizes, brightness, rules, and simple maintenance, you can keep your F-150's head-lamp bulbs shining bright and safe for years.