--- title: "2012-2019 Ford Explorer Headlight and Bulb Sizes" description: "Headlight bulb types vary by trim on the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer. Full bulb chart for every position, plus whether LED replacements fit the factory housings." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Headlight and Bulb Sizes Headlight bulb types vary by trim on the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer. Full bulb chart for every position, plus whether LED replacements fit the factory housings. ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer bulb chart | Position | Bulb type | | --- | --- | | Low beam | 9005/HB3 halogen (2011-2015); H11 halogen (2016-2019); D3S HID or LED on Limited/Sport/Platinum with premium lighting | | High beam | 9005 (HB3) halogen (all years, non-HID/LED) | | Fog light | H11 (2011-2015); H16/9145-style on 2016-2019. Check the installed bulb | | note | Halogen headlight housings only; HID/LED-equipped trims need assembly- or module-level repair, not a bulb | Note: Bulb fitments can vary with option packages (halogen vs. LED lighting). Confirm the bulb you are removing matches before ordering. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These headlight bulbs specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2012 through 2019, the U502 (5th generation), mid-size 3-row crossover suv (unibody, fwd/awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) - [2013 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2014 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2015 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2016 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2017 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2018 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2019 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) ## What changed during the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package) | | 2013 | Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels | | 2014 | Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats | | 2015 | Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide | | 2016 | Major facelift: new front/rear styling, 280-hp 2.3L EcoBoost replaces the 2.0L, Platinum trim (3.5L EcoBoost) added, SYNC 3 arrives mid-cycle; low-beam bulb changes to H11 | | 2018-2019 | Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer headlight bulbs: common questions ### What headlight bulb does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer use? 9005/HB3 halogen (2011-2015); H11 halogen (2016-2019); D3S HID or LED on Limited/Sport/Platinum with premium lighting for the low beam and 9005 (HB3) halogen (all years, non-HID/LED) for the high beam. Trims with factory LED or HID projectors use a sealed assembly instead and are not bulb-serviceable. ### What fog light bulb does a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer take? H11 (2011-2015); H16/9145-style on 2016-2019. Check the installed bulb. ### Can you put LED bulbs in a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? Physically, yes, LED replacements exist in every common base. Whether they work well depends on the housing: a reflector housing designed around a halogen filament scatters LED output into oncoming traffic instead of down the road. Projector housings tolerate the swap far better. Some vehicles also flag the lower current draw as a bulb-out fault. ## Sources - [Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)](https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/oil-change/oil-change-information/what-is-the-recommended-engine-oil-for-my-vehicle/) - [NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2017/INOA-EA17002-5925.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V537-1447.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF) - [Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement](https://fordauthority.com/2024/01/ford-water-pump-lawsuit-settlement-ends-class-action/) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment](https://www.ford.com/product/vehicle-battery-p4000109971) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)](https://www.ford.com/product/spark-plug-p4000139430) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)](https://www.ford.com/product/cabin-air-filter-p4000138624) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/ford/explorer/2016) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer headlight bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/bulbs) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/bulbs). ## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.