How To Change A Headlight On A 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a low beam, high beam, turn signal, DRL or side marker light bulb in a 2013 to 2016 Nissan Pathfinder.

2016 Pathfinder Headlights
Low Beam - Near Outer Edge
Base of Old Low Beam This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and probably also the face lifted 2017 model year) Nissan Pathfinder SUV in changing a burnt out low beam, high beam, front turn signal, DRL (daytime running lamp) or front side marker light bulb in the headlight housings.

Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Sentra, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement light bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Low Beam # H11, High Beam # 9005, Front Turn Signal # 7440A (or WY21W), DRL # 2825 and Front Side Marker # 2825.

No tools are needed to change the low beam or high beam headlight bulbs.

To access and replace the turn signal light bulbs, you'll need a 10mm wrench or a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet.

1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Remove Old Low Beam
Pull Back Release Tab If you need to replace a burnt out low beam or high beam bulb in either the driver side or passenger side headlight housings, they can easily be reached with out removing any thing or using any tools.

The Low Beam headlight bulb is located closer to the outer edge of the assembly.

Reach in behind the headlight housing and rotate the black and green plastic base of the old bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Gently pull back the tab on the electrical connector before sliding the power plug straight off the base of the old bulb.

Power Plug Removed
Philips H11 LL Low Beam
Empty Bulb Housing Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it off with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.

Insert New # H11 Bulb
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
High Beam - Near Inner Edge Insert a new number H11 low beam bulb in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Push the power plug straight on to the base of the new bulb until it clicks securely in to place.

The High Beam headlight bulb is located closer to the inner edge of the housing.

Base of High Beam Bulb
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Remove Bulb Socket Reach in behind the headlight assembly and rotate the black plastic base of the high beam bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.
Push Down Release Tab
Slide Off Power Plug
Sylvania 9005 High Beam Gently push down the release tab on the electrical connector before sliding it straight off the base of the old high beam bulb.

Avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb. If you do get it dirty, wipe it clean.

High Beam Bulb Housing
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Push On Power Plug Insert a new number 9005 bulb in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Push the power plug on to the base of the new bulb until it clicks securely in to place.

DRL Bulb - Inner Corner
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
DRL Bulb Socket Removed The DRL (daytime running lamp) light bulb is located near the inner corner of the headlight housing.

Reach in behind the assembly and rotate the small black plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Pull Out Old Light Bulb
Push In New # 2825 Bulb
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 2825 bulb.

If you'd like to have brighter DRL lights, upgrade them with 2825 LED bulbs.

Re-insert the bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Washer Fluid Bottle
Remove 10mm Bolt
Pry Up Center of Pop Rivet To access the passenger side front turn signal light bulb socket, you will need to remove the washer fluid bottle.

To access the driver side turn signal light bulb socket, you will need to remove the 12V automotive battery (click the preceding link to view the battery removal guide).

To remove the washer fluid bottle, loosen the single black metal bolt that attaches it to the front of the engine bay by turning it counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratchet.

Set the bolt aside in a safe place.

Then gently pry up the center of the black plastic pop rivet with a flathead screwdriver.

Pop Rivet Removed
Lift Out Washer Fluid Bottle
Remove Filler Tube Once the center of the fastener has been released, pry out the base of the pop rivet.

Set the pop rivet aside with the 10mm bolt.

Lift out the windshield washer fluid bottle and the filler tube.

Set them aside in a safe place with the bottle orientated in the upright position so that washer fluid does not leak out.

Washer Bottle Removed
Turn Signal - Bottom Middle
Reach In To Turn Signal Once the washer fluid bottle (or the 12V battery on the driver side) has been removed, you can more easily access the vertically mounted front turn signal light bulb socket.

Reach deep down in to the engine bay and feel for the turn signal light bulb socket located at the bottom of the headlight housing.

Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Pull Out Old Light Bulb
Push In New 7440A Bulb Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new amber colored number 7440A (or WY21W) bulb.
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Side Marker - Outer Edge
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise Re-insert the bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The Front Side Marker light bulb is located at the outer edge of the housing.

Reach in behind the assembly and rotate the small black plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Pull Out Old Light Bulb
Push In New # 2825 Bulb
Empty Bulb Housing Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 2825 bulb.

You can also chose to install a brighter 2825 LED bulb.

1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Turn Signal Bulb Replaced
Lower In Washer Bottle Re-insert the bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

I'd recommend testing the new turn signal light bulb before re-installing the washer fluid bottle (or the 12V car battery).

Lower the washer fluid bottle back in to the engine bay.

Lower Fill Tube
Re-Insert Filler Tube
Push Down Pop Rivet Lower the fill tube back in to place and line up the mounting hole with the hole on the bottle.

Re-insert the pop rivet and push down the center to secure it in place.

Spin In 10mm Bolt
Tighten 10mm Clockwise
Test New Headlight Bulbs Spin in the 10mm bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the bolt with the 10mm socket and wrench until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic mounting tab.

Test the new light bulbs by turning on the headlights, flashing the high beams and activating the hazard signals.

For more, check out all of my 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.