What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($161)MiddleHigher-cost states ($205)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $205 and AR the lowest at $161, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
5,318 owner complaints name this part.
What owners describe. Dealer could not fix or repeat repair: 11%; Warning light: 9%; Stalled or lost power: 5%.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 5,318 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say loss of power followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Loss of power: 15 (0%); Stalled while driving: 10 (0%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as loss of power.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 95 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $1,300 or less; one in ten wrote more than $3,400.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 38%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 5,318 owner complaints naming this part, crash is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Crash reported is the largest at 59, followed by Towed at 53; the smallest shown is Death reported at 2.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 5,318 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 1,443 (27%), followed by 2016 at 736 (14%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 134 (3%).
How serious are the crashes where this part is cited?
In NHTSA's crash sample (CRSS, 2019–2022), 6.8% of police-reported crashes that cite head lights ended in a serious or fatal injury, against 2.9% of all police-reported crashes. A crash that cites a system is not necessarily a crash that system caused.
What it shows: No Apparent Injury is the largest at 47.5%, followed by Possible Injury at 22.6%; the smallest shown is Fatal Injury at 1.3%.
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, lights caused 5.2 failed items per 1,000 inspections, the second most of the four components the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Do headlight replacement problems track registered cars and trucks per resident across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about headlight replacement run higher where registered cars and trucks per resident is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that registered cars and trucks per resident causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more registered cars and trucks per resident; higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with registered cars and trucks per resident.
What it shows: States with more registered cars and trucks per resident tend to sit higher on the chart across 48 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most registered cars and trucks per resident (Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Alabama, Idaho, Minnesota, Kentucky): reports of this repair run 22% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 8 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Texas, Connecticut, California, Maryland): 9% below, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Iowa and Arkansas are among the highest in registered cars and trucks per resident but report below expected; Rhode Island (20% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least registered cars and trucks per resident runs 3% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 7% above, and the third with the most 14% above. It steps up steadily.
- For registered cars and trucks per resident, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 29. Take out any single state and the registered cars and trucks per resident pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar share of residents living in urban areas and the pattern keeps about 29% of its strength, so part of it may come from share of residents living in urban areas instead of registered cars and trucks per resident.
More registered vehicles per resident means more cars on the road and more older vehicles kept in service.
Do headlight replacement problems track forest and woody wetland share of land across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about headlight replacement run higher where forest and woody wetland share of land is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that forest and woody wetland share of land causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more forest and woody wetland share of land (nlcd 2021, state median county); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with forest and woody wetland share of land (nlcd 2021, state median county).
What it shows: States with more forest and woody wetland share of land (nlcd 2021, state median county) tend to sit higher on the chart across 48 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most forest and woody wetland share of land (New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, Connecticut, Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York): reports of this repair run 22% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 8 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, Minnesota): 4% below, and 4 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Connecticut and Mississippi are among the highest in forest and woody wetland share of land but report below expected; North Dakota (51% above expected) and Wyoming (54% above expected) are among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least forest and woody wetland share of land runs 9% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 0% above, and the third with the most 18% above. It steps up steadily.
- For forest and woody wetland share of land, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 16. Take out any single state and the forest and woody wetland share of land pattern still holds.
Trees drop sap, leaves, pollen and branches on parked cars, which marks paint, clogs wipers and cowls and loads cabin and engine air filters.
Do headlight replacement problems track state safety inspection across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about headlight replacement run higher where state safety inspection is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that state safety inspection causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more state safety inspection (annual 2, biennial 1, none 0); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with state safety inspection (annual 2, biennial 1, none 0).
What it shows: States with more state safety inspection (annual 2, biennial 1, none 0) tend to sit higher on the chart across 48 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most state safety inspection (Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, Missouri, Delaware): reports of this repair run 15% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 9 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Washington, Oregon, California, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Colorado): 14% below, and 5 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Delaware is among the highest in state safety inspection but reports below expected; Wyoming (54% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least state safety inspection runs 2% above what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 3% above, and the third with the most 6% above. It steps up steadily.
- For state safety inspection, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 11. Take out any single state and the state safety inspection pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar all-sky sunshine at the surface, kWh per square meter per day and the pattern keeps about 57% of its strength, so part of it may come from all-sky sunshine at the surface, kWh per square meter per day instead of state safety inspection.
A state that inspects brakes, tires, lights and steering every year or two finds worn parts early.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new vehicular lighting equipment rose 10.1% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new vehicular lighting equipment, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New vehicular lighting equipment: +10.1%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 24 equipment recalls that name headlight since 2015 (exterior lighting and electrical system), covering 518,471 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Ningbo Shuwu Import & Export Co.,Ltd in 2021, covered 99,950.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ningbo Shuwu Import & Export Co.,Ltd: Led Headlight Bulb | headlights bulbs | certain aftermarket Hikari headlight bulbs, LED-V39-R3 and RS-R models (in configurations H1, H4, H7, H11. | 99,950 |
| 2015 | Osram Sylvania Products, Inc.: Sealed Beam Headlamp | headlights | certain Sealed Beam Headlamps manufactured from February 3, 2014, through June 19, 2015, with Part Numbers. | 66,000 |
| 2015 | Osram Sylvania Products, Inc.: Sealed Beam Headlamp | headlights | certain Sealed Beam Headlamps manufactured from February 3, 2014, through June 19, 2015, with Part Number. | 63,000 |
| 2020 | Jdm Astar Llc: T1 Headlamp | headlights | certain T1 replacement headlight bulbs sizes H11, 9005, 9006, H4, 9007, H13, and 9012. | 38,520 |
| 2021 | Putco Inc: Nitro-Lux Led Headlamp | headlights | certain Nitro-Lux LED Headlamp Bulb part numbers 700004 thru 709012. | 31,716 |
| 2020 | Interamerican Auto Parts: H10 Hid Bulb, H3 Hid Bulb | headlights | certain KelvinHID H1, H3, H4, H7, H10, H11, 9005, 9006, and 9007 HID bulbs. | 31,000 |
| 2022 | Chrysler (Fca Us, Llc): Headlamp Assembly | headlights | certain Mopar Headlamp Assemblies with part numbers 05116288AC, 05116289AC, 68200084AB, and 68200085AB, sold. | 30,785 |
| 2020 | Diode Dynamics, Llc: Sl1 Led Headlamp Bulb | headlights bulbs | certain SL1 LED replacement headlamp bulbs, part numbers DD0215P, DD0216P, DD0217P, DD0218P, DD0219P, DD0323P. | 27,890 |
| 2018 | Truck-Lite Company, Llc: Lt | headlights | certain right-hand incandescent halogen headlights, part numbers Truck-Lite 27628C, 27628C7, Navistar. | 27,026 |
| 2021 | Guangzhou Lengzhilu Trading Co., Ltd.: Led Headlamp Bulb | headlights bulbs | certain BEAMTECH CO18-73964, CO18-711886, CO18-76373, CO18-71778, CO18-73065, CO18-74931, CO18-77879, and. | 26,199 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 24 foreign recall campaigns that name headlight with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Toyota Motor Corporation in 2024-12.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 273 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles are equipped with headlamp assemblies that include Adaptive High Beam System (AHS) LED units (High-beam) and AHS ECUs which optimize the illumination area of the headlights according to the driving environment. |
| 2024-12 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 272 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles are equipped with headlamps containing Adaptive High Beam System (AHS) LED units, which optimize the illumination area of the headlights according to the driving environment. |
| 2023-12 | Lamborghini (Automobili. | 253 | Jeffrey giuseppe associate administrator for enforcement national highway traffic safety administration attn: early warning division (nvs-215) 1200 new jersey ave., se washington, dc 20590 united states of america notification of recall pursuant to 49 cfr part. |
| 2023-12 | Volkswagen Group. | 252 | 248-754-5000 Phone Washington, DC 20590 248-754-5093 Fax December 07, 2023 Date Subject: Notification of Recall Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 579.11 (a) Headlight Functionality Dear Ms Sullivan: Pursuant to 49 CFR 579.11(a), Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 2024-09 | Volkswagen Group. | 200 | 248-754-5093 Fax Washington, DC 20590 September 04, 2024 Date Subject: Notification of Recall Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 579.11 (a) Headlight Control Module Dear Ms. |
| 2024-07 | Bentley Motors. | 158 | (4) Description of Defective Component(s) and Manufacturer Control unit for headlight lamp. |
| 2024-07 | Volkswagen Group. | 157 | (4) Description of Defective Component(s) and Manufacturer Control unit for headlight lamp. |
| 2024-06 | Porsche Cars. | 126 | (4.888 in total) For the affected vehicles equipped with HD- Matrix Design LED headlights, the light distribution of the dynamic cornering light is adjusted based on the steering angle, however the direction of travel of the vehicle is not taken into account. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 30 NHTSA recalls that name headlight filed 2015 to 2024, 68.7% of the 2,851,037 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 891,638 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gmc Terrain | 740,581 | 32.6% | headlights |
| 2022 | Cadillac Escalade, Escalade Esv; | 740,108 | 96.7% | lighting control module software |
| 2022 | Cadillac Escalade, Escalade Esv; | 338,735 | 92.7% | lighting control module software |
| 2022 | Porsche Cayenne Transsyberia, Cayenne | 222,858 | 30.3% | headlights |
| 2022 | Subaru Impreza | 188,397 | 62.1% | headlights |
| 2020 | Toyota Tundra | 183,397 | 89.3% | turn signal |
| 2021 | Toyota Tundra | 158,489 | 72.7% | headlights |
| 2022 | Ford F-150, Bronco Sport | 86,050 | 74.8% | lighting control module |
Which U.S. counties get hail that damages cars?
NOAA Storm Prediction Center logged hail of 1 inch or larger most often in Cleveland County, OK, Oklahoma County, OK and Tarrant County, TX, about 30.2 reports per 1,000 square miles a year from 2000 to 2024, against 2.6 in the median U.S. county; reports also reflect where people live to see and call in hail.
What it shows: Cleveland County, OK is the largest at 30.2, followed by Oklahoma County, OK at 28.4; the smallest shown is Denton County, TX at 20.3.
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for parts matched to a headlight replacement since model year 2015, covering about 842,874 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a headlight replacement since model year 2015 | 5 recall campaigns covering about 842,874 vehicles |
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 2,091,272 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025, 5.1% of cars aged 16+ years failed the lighting test against 0.3% of cars under 3 years, about 17 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 5.1%, followed by <3 at 0.3%; the smallest shown is <3 at 0.3%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22V-137 | GMC Terrain 2015–2017 | 740,581 | The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-063 | Mazda CX-5 2016 | 36,761 | If the DRL fails, the vehicle's visibility may be reduced to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-148 | KIA Telluride 2020 | 35,031 | Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-085 | Rivian R1S 2025 | 17,260 | Headlight failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-673 | GMC Canyon 2024 | 13,241 | Headlights flickering can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (1)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE23002 | KIA Telluride 2020 | Jan 27, 2023 | Closed Apr 17, 2024 | Complete loss of high. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | X7 2023–2025 | B630125 | Mar 27, 2025 | Contamination/condensation in the uppersection of the Daytime Running Lights (DRL)headlight(s); driver s headlamp shown. |
| Mazda | CX-5 2017–2023 | 09-047-24 | Nov 5, 2024 | Some customers may complain that the headlights get foggy or have water spots inside. |
| Audi | Q8 2024; SQ8 2024 | Dealer 94CB_REV1 | May 2, 2024 | An erroneous fault message may appear in the instrument cluster due to a software issue in the control unit for the headlights. |
| Acura | RDX 2019 | BTI&02152024902 | Feb 15, 2024 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. |
| Buick | Enclave 2015–2017 | PIT6002A | Feb 2, 2024 | This Preliminary information communicates concerns with dtc U1521 after replacing. |
| Jeep | Wrangler 2021–2024; Grand Wagoneer 2022–2024 and 6 more | 2300424 | Jan 17, 2024 | Headlamp Condensation Clearing Procedure Some customers may report that on occasion, vehicle exterior head lamp assemblies are fogged with a light layer of condensation on the inside of the lenses. |
29 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge | Grand Caravan 2005–2006 | Feb 21, 2018 | 08-008 | Headlamp switch assembly causing headlights to fail or turn. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
You have to replace the entire headlight assembly when this happens and it is $1600 for just the part.
His only suggestion was to replace both headlight assemblies at a cost of over $2000.00 or just wait until kia announced a recall as he could not determine exact cause of problem.
Now, the driver's side headlight is having the same failure without there being a warning or announcement of the issue and I'm having to spend another $400 to get it replaced.
Took vehicle to acura was told the same thing but car is out of warranty with no extended coverage they would replace both headlight assemblies for $1900.
Check your car
Our calculator's default is $115–$255 for a pair of halogen bulbs on a standard sedan at a chain shop charging $120 an hour. The bigger job, replacing the whole headlight assembly, is $270–$750 for the same car and shop.
What does the headlight estimate cover and leave out?
The bulb estimate covers two halogen bulbs and the labor to fit them. The assembly estimate covers the housing and 1–2.5 hours of labor. It leaves out taxes and anything a shop adds on top, so ask whether aiming the new lamp is part of the price.
How much does the bulb type change the price?
Every row keeps the standard sedan and the chain shop.
| Job | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: halogen bulb pair | $115–$255 |
| LED bulb pair | $148–$510 |
| HID/xenon bulb pair | $236–$620 |
| Full headlight assembly | $270–$750 |
What should I ask before approving the job?
Ask whether the shop expects a bulb swap to fix it or whether the housing has to come out. A bulb pair and an assembly sit in different rows above, so a quote that mixes them up is easy to spot. Ask which bulb type your car uses before comparing quotes, because that sets the row.
Then check the recalls card above for your model before paying out of pocket.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA defect investigation file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- NHTSA Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS), 2019–2022 pooled data from 2022
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2023 Table MV-1 with Census 2023 population, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- USGS NLCD 2021 Land Cover via the MRLC service, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- State inspection programs, multi-state tables and each state agency page, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU141205141); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Severe Weather Database (hail reports 1955-2024); county land area from the Census Gazetteer file downloaded 2025 (file covers through 2024)
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($181–$213) on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 6% below the middle of that range. Methodology