---
title: "2012 Nissan Altima Headlight and Bulb Sizes"
description: "Headlight bulb types vary by trim on the 2012 Nissan Altima. Full bulb chart for every position, plus whether LED replacements fit the factory housings."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/bulbs"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012 Nissan Altima Headlight and Bulb Sizes

Headlight bulb types vary by trim on the 2012 Nissan Altima. Full bulb chart for every position, plus whether LED replacements fit the factory housings.

## 2012 Nissan Altima bulb chart

| Position | Bulb type |
| --- | --- |
| Low beam | H11 (halogen; D2S on optional HID headlights) |
| High beam | H9 |
| Fog light | H11 (where equipped) |

Note: Bulb fitments can vary with option packages (halogen vs. LED lighting). Confirm the bulb you are removing matches before ordering.

## Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover?

These headlight bulbs specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2012 through 2012, the L32 (4th generation, final year), mid-size sedan (coupe continued separately through 2013). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2012 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012)

## What changed during the 2012 Nissan Altima

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2012 | Final year of the L32 sedan (2007-2012 design); the all-new L33 replaced it for 2013. The two-door Altima coupe continued on this platform through 2013. |

## 2012 Nissan Altima headlight bulbs: common questions

### What headlight bulb does a 2012 Nissan Altima use?

H11 (halogen; D2S on optional HID headlights) for the low beam and H9 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 Nissan Altima take?

H11 (where equipped).

### Can you put LED bulbs in a 2012 Nissan Altima?

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

- [NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2012 Nissan Altima (11V-371, 12V-055, 12V-494)](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=nissan&model=altima&modelYear=2012)
- [Nissan parts catalog, 15208-9E01A oil filter fitment 1998-2012 Altima](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-152089e01a)
- [TirePressure.org, 2012 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2012)
- [HID Nation, 2012 Nissan Altima bulb sizes](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2012-nissan-altima)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Nissan_Altima.shtml)
- [Nissan Altima Forum, 2012 vs 2013 oil viscosity (5W-30 vs 0W-20)](https://www.altimaforums.net/threads/2013-altima-0w20-or-5w30.7380/)

## Other Nissan Altima generations

- [2019-2025 Nissan Altima headlight bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/bulbs)
- [2013-2018 Nissan Altima headlight bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/bulbs)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/bulbs).

## More for the 2012 Nissan Altima

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/filters)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.