Step-by-Step Guide: How to Replace a Corolla Headlight Bulb

The Toyota Corolla is a car that needs no introduction. After all, it is the best selling vehicle in the history of the automotive industry.

Toyota used to make it easy to work on, which meant that a Toyota Corolla headlamp replacement used to be a piece of cake. But in the latest models, the process is more complex.

The following is a guide on how to replace a Corolla headlight, featuring the latest model years:

2007-12 Corolla Headlight Replacement

The 10th-gen Corolla was quite ahead of its time and is still going strong with millions of vehicles on the road.

Here’s how you replace its headlights:

• Open the hood
• Unfasten the front bumper by removing the following
  • Series of push pins and screws above it
  • Two 10-mm bolts underneath it
  • Two clips underneath the front grille
• Remove the three bolts for the headlight; one of them is hidden on the side
• Remove the three wiring harnesses
  • One for the high and low beams each
  • One for the indicator
• Connect the harnesses to the new headlight
• Put the headlight back in place via the three bolts
• Repeat for the other side
• Switch on the lights and test them
• Fasten the bumper back in place using the clips, push pins, bolts, and screws
• Shut the hood

Note that if you want to change the front light bulb for a Toyota Corolla 2007-12, you don’t have to remove the bumper.

Find OEM-quality headlights for the 2007-12 Corolla.

2013-19 Corolla Headlight Replacement (US Spec)

For the eleventh generation model, things got a bit more complicated. If you want to replace the headlights, you have to remove the front bumper and grille separately.

Want to just change this Corolla’s headlight bulb? Same issue. Also, removing the bumper is more difficult due to increased protection underneath it.

Anyways, here is how you do it:

• Remove the grille first by removing the:
  • 10-mm bolt in the middle
  • Three push pins on top of it
  • Six clips behind it
• Remove the shield underneath the bumper; it’s held by nine bolts
• Remove the bits connected to the inner wall of the bumper via bolts and push pins
• Disconnect the wiring harness from the fog lights (if present)
• Now safely remove the front bumper
• Pull out the existing headlight attached with three screws; two above it and one below
• Disconnect the four wiring harnesses
• Now install the new headlight by attaching the wiring and the bolts back
• Repeat for the other side
• Test the lights
• Put the bumper back on, followed by the fog light connection, and the shield underneath
• Attach the front grille again

Find DOT-certified headlights for the 2017-19 Corolla.  

2020-2025 Corolla Headlight Replacement (US Spec)

Finally, we take a look at the latest version of Corolla and the steps are quite similar to the aforementioned model.

Here’s how you replace the headlight assembly:

• Remove the bolted shield underneath the bumper
• Remove the push pins on top of the front bumper in the middle
• Remove the pins on the cover attached to the inner wall of the bumper on both sides
• Disconnect the fog light wiring harnesses on both sides if available
• Disconnect the driver’s assist connection behind the toyota logo if available
• Remove the three bolts and clips holding the bumper
• Remove the four bolts holding the light
• Disconnect the four wiring harnesses
• Replace the headlight assembly by adding the connections and bolts
• Repeat on the other side
• Test the lights
• Reattach the bumper via the clips, bolts, and push pins

Find DOT-certified headlights for the 2023-25 Corolla.  

Auto Lamp Manufacturer – TYJ Vehicle Parts

There are so many car light manufacturers that it is hard to pick one.

However, TYJ Vehicle Parts is one of the oldest exporters of high quality Toyota spare parts to regions like the US, Middle East, and Africa.

TYJ delivers OEM-grade quality backed by DOT USA and TS16949 certifications. We also have a 24/7 customer service team to answer any questions you’ve got.

Contact TYJ auto lamp manufacturer now!