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Fitment Guaranteed for 2013 Hyundai Sonata

What Size Bulbs Does a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Have?

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata features an extensive lighting system with 12 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with H11 LED low beams and H7 LED high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The Sonata has been available from 1990 to 2015, and the 2013 model falls in the late-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

To upgrade the 2013 Hyundai Sonata headlights to LED, you will need a H11 LED LED kit for the low beams and a H7 LED LED kit for the high beams. Start with the low beams since they are used most often and have the biggest impact on nighttime visibility. For the fog lights, a H8 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2013 Hyundai Sonata

The H11 bulb uses a quarter-turn bayonet mount that locks with a short twist. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. Older model years like the 2013 Sonata typically offer easy access to the headlight bulbs from behind the headlight assembly under the hood. Most owners can complete the swap in under 10 minutes per side. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the H8 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 12 Positions at Once

Low Beam: H11 LEDHigh Beam: H7 LEDFog Light: H8 LEDBrake Light: LED BulbTurn Signal Front: 2357NA LEDTurn Signal Rear: 1156NA LEDReverse Light: 921Dome Light: DE3022License Plate: 168Map Light: 6461 or DE3175Parking Light: 2357NATrunk Light: 6418
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Installation Guide
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How Long Do 2013 Hyundai Sonata Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 13 years old, the original bulbs on your Sonata are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

The H11 low beam bulb on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is cross-compatible with H8, H9, H16 bulbs. These share the same physical base and electrical connection, so they will fit the socket. However, H11 is the recommended size because it is optimized for the wattage and beam pattern designed into your headlight housing. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

2013 Hyundai Sonata Headlight FAQ

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata uses a H11 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is H7 LED.

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a H11 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata takes a H8 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old H11 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved H11 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen H11 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the H11 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Hyundai Sonata Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1990 to 2015, the Hyundai Sonata has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2013 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2014. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2013 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Sonata Years

Other Vehicles That Use H11 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a H11 LED low beam bulb: