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How to Replace the Headlight Bulb in a 2003 to 2007 Honda Accord

The headlights on your vehicle provide visibility during dark, rainy, or foggy driving conditions, and help communicate your car’s intended direction on the road to other drivers. Replacing a burned-out headlight bulb on a 2003-2007 Honda Accord is a straightforward repair task that can help ensure your safety and abide road laws. When replacing one headlight bulb, it’s recommended to change the other as well since they are presumably the same age and will likely fail around the same time. Flickering, dull, or burned-out headlight bulbs can compromise your Accord’s visibility and overall safety, and should be addressed promptly. Our detailed instructions and step-by-step video can help you perform a headlight bulb replacement on your 2003-2007 Honda Accord to help you see clearly and drive safely.

Tools & Materials List
Step by Step Instructions
Additional Resources

Tools & Materials

Step-By-Step Instructions to Replace the Headlight Bulb on Your Accord

Our expert opens the Honda Accord’s hood and locates the car battery.

Step 1: Prepare Your Honda Accord

Park on a level surface and open the hood. In order to access the bulbs on the driver’s side, you’ll need to remove the battery. Beyond that, this procedure is largely the same on both sides of the vehicle. We’ll quickly show you how to remove the battery, as well as how to replace the bulb on the passenger side.

Our expert uses a 10mm deep socket wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable and positive battery terminal.

Step 2: Disconnect Your Battery

Start by using your 10mm deep socket or wrench to loosen the negative battery cable then lift it off and set it aside. Repeat this step for the positive battery terminal.
In two images, the same deep socket from before is used to loosen the nuts securing the battery hold down and the battery is lifted out.

Step 3: Remove Your Battery

Use the same socket or wrench to loosen the nuts on the battery hold-down. Remove the hold-down by slipping the hooks out of their holes on both sides of the battery tray. Now you should be able to lift the battery out.

The battery has been removed in the Honda Accord and now the headlights are easily more accessible to finish the bulb replacement.

Step 4: Locate Your Headlight Bulbs

Once the battery is out, you’ll be able to see the back of the headlight bulbs in the housing. The inside bulb is the high beam and the outside bulb is the low beam.
Close-up shot of a headlight bulb wiring harness being removed.

Step 5: Disconnect the Bulb

Press in on the tab at the back of the bulb you need to change and slip the wiring harness off of the bulb. With the wiring harness detached, turn the bulb slightly counterclockwise to release it and carefully lift it out.
Close-up shot of a headlight bulb wiring harness being removed.

Step 6: Compare Bulbs

Compare the new bulb's connector and design to your old one to make sure you have the right replacement.

Do It Right: Be sure not to touch your new headlight bulb with your bare fingers. Finger oils or grease can create hot spots on the glass that may cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.

Our expert installs the new headlight bulb into the vehicle.

Step 7: Install Your New Bulb

Install your new bulb carefully into the back of the housing aligning the tabs on the bulb with the notches on the back of the assembly. Once the tabs are inserted, turn the bulb clockwise to secure it.
In two images, the bulb wiring harness is reconnected and the car battery is placed and secured back in its tray.

Step 8: Replace Your Battery

Reconnect the wiring harness connector to the base of the bulb by applying pressure until you hear it click into place. Repeat these steps for the other side if needed.

If you’ve finished replacing the bulbs on the driver side, set your battery back in its tray and use your socket or wrench to secure the positive battery cable first.
The Honda Accord remains parked but has the lights turned on to check the new bulbs.

Step 9: Check Your New Bulbs

Reattach your negative battery cable and turn on your headlights to make sure your new bulb is working.
 In two images, our expert secures the battery hold-down and closes the hood of the Accord.

If everything looks good, reinstall your battery hold-down, making sure the hooks at the bottom of the rods slip into the holes on the battery tray before tightening the nuts. Close the hood. If your battery cables were detached, your factory stereo settings and clock will likely need to be reset. Follow the link on the screen if you need details on that procedure

Additional Resources

Our detailed instructions and video demonstrate the headlight bulb replacement procedures for a 2006 Honda Accord LX. Repair steps will be similar on 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007 Honda Accord models. If you notice that your Accord’s headlights are dim, flickering, functioning poorly, or completely burned out, be sure to address this simple repair task promptly. Ensuring that your Accord abides by road laws and remains visible to others on the road is crucial to your and others’ safety. Find the replacement headlight bulbs, headlight assembly, tail light and turn signal bulbs, and more designed to fit your 2003 to 2007 Honda Accord at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.