Buy Volkswagen Jetta Headlight Assembly

Quick Summary

Quick Summary

The Volkswagen Jetta headlight-also called a headlamp, front light, or driving light-does far more than shine the road. It affects safety, styling, and even how well other drivers see you.

Headlight Basics

Headlight Basics

Early Jettas used simple halogen bulbs that give about 1,000 lumens each. (Carlightvision) Newer trims add HID (Xenon) or full LED systems that can top 6,000 lumens per lamp. (Vox) Every Jetta still includes low-beam and high-beam elements, both required by U.S. safety rules. (Federal Register)

Bulb Sizes by Year

Bulb Sizes by Year

• 2011-2018 (Mk6) - Halogen cars: H7 for both beams. HID cars: D1S/D3S capsules. (AUXITO)
• 2019-2025 (Mk7) - Most trims use LED reflector headlights; service parts are sealed assemblies.
• Fog lamps vary: H11 or 9006 on older models.
  Always match the code on the bulb base before you buy a replacement.

Safety & Rules

Safety & Rules

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 sets light color, beam pattern, and switch rules for every passenger car sold in the U.S. (Federal Register) Poor lights are tied to higher night-time crash rates, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration glare study. (NHTSA) Keeping both lamps working also avoids fines in many countries and U.S. states. (The Sun)

Aiming Made Easy

Aiming Made Easy

Park 25 feet from a flat wall, mark the beam centers with tape, then turn the vertical adjuster until the top of each low-beam sits two inches below the tape line. (site.utah.gov, Popular Mechanics) Mis-aimed lights can blind oncoming traffic or leave dark spots ahead. (Cars.com)

Maintenance Tips

Maintenance Tips

Plastic lenses cloud over time. Rubbing toothpaste or a baking-soda paste on the lens, then rinsing, can restore clarity for many months. (Schlossmann Subaru City) Clean lamps give up to 20 percent more light on the road.

Common Issues

Common Issues

• Condensation: Vented housings may mist after rain; warmth from the bulb usually clears it. (jamjar)
• Burn-outs: Halogen filaments last roughly 500-1,000 hours. (HID CONCEPT)
• LED longevity: Properly cooled LEDs can run 50,000 hours-often the life of the car. (AutoZone.com)

Wiring & Fuses

Wiring & Fuses

On many Jettas, fuse 20 guards the right low-beam (15 A) and fuse 21 guards the left low-beam (15 A). High-beams use 10 A fuses 18 and 19. (LiveAbout) If one light dies, check the fuse before changing the bulb.

Adaptive Lighting

Adaptive Lighting

Some premium trims include an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). An ECU reads steering angle and turns small motors so the beam follows a curve. (NHTSA) If the dash shows "AFS error," a burned side-lamp or faulty level sensor is often the cause.

Upgrades & Mods

Upgrades & Mods

Moving from halogen to LED kits can triple lumen output, but only kits with the correct H7 focus ring maintain a safe beam cut-off. (Car and Driver) Remember that brighter is not always better; glare complaints about aftermarket LEDs are rising worldwide. (The Times)

Cost & Lifespan

Cost & Lifespan

• Halogen bulb: low cost, lasts about 1 year of night driving. (HID CONCEPT)
• HID capsule: higher cost, 2-3 years average.
• Factory LED module: expensive to replace but may last 10-15 years. (AutoZone.com)

DIY Replacement

DIY Replacement

1. Turn off ignition and open hood.
2. Twist off the rear dust-cap.
3. Press the spring clip or rotate the bulb holder.
4. Pull the old bulb straight out; avoid touching glass.
5. Seat the new bulb the same way; reinstall cap.
   Total time: about 10 minutes per side.

Environmental Notes

Environmental Notes

Spent halogen and HID bulbs contain metal and glass-dispose of them at a household-hazard center. LEDs are electronic waste and should be recycled, not tossed in regular trash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How bright are stock halogen Jetta headlights?
A: About 1,000 lumens per bulb, which is adequate for city and suburban driving. (Carlightvision)

Q: What's the legal color for headlights?
A: In North America, low-beams must be white or slightly yellow; blue-tinted bulbs are not allowed. (Federal Register)

Q: My 2015 Jetta uses H7 bulbs. Can I swap only one?
A: Replace bulbs in pairs; new and old filaments throw different colors and brightness.

Q: Why do LEDs look bluer?
A: They have a higher Kelvin rating (around 6,000 K) than halogen's warm 3,200 K, making them appear whiter or even blue. (Car and Driver)

Q: Is a fogged lens an inspection failure?
A: Yes in some regions, because reduced light can fail safety tests. (The Sun)

Q: How often should I check aim?
A: Twice a year or after hitting a pothole; aim can drift from vibration. (Popular Mechanics)

Q: Will adaptive headlights lower glare?
A: Yes-AFS turns the beam into curves, so less light shines directly at oncoming drivers. (NHTSA)

Q: What fuse controls my left low-beam?
A: Check fuse 21 (15 A) in the engine-bay fuse box on many 2011-2018 Jettas. (LiveAbout)

Q: Can I clear condensation with a hair dryer?
A: Gently blowing warm air into the vent or bulb hole can dry light mist in minutes. (jamjar)

Q: Does brighter always mean safer?
A: Not if the beam is mis-aimed; excess glare can raise crash risk for others on the road. (Vox)

Q: How long do factory LEDs last?
A: Up to 50,000 hours-often longer than you keep the car. (AutoZone.com)

Q: Are aftermarket HID kits legal in a Jetta?
A: Only if they meet FMVSS 108 beam specs, which most plug-in kits do not. (Federal Register)

Q: Do I need tools to change an H7 bulb?
A: Usually no-just gloves. Some trims have Torx screws holding the dust-cap, so keep a T20 driver handy.

Q: What is the Adaptive Front-lighting System warning light?
A: It signals a fault in the swivel motor or a burned corner bulb; scanning the AFS module shows the exact code. (NHTSA)

By following the guidance above, you will keep your Jetta's headlights-your most important night-time safety feature-working their best.