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Fitment Guaranteed for 2001 Nissan Xterra

What Size Bulbs Does a 2001 Nissan Xterra 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 2001 Nissan Xterra Have?

The 2001 Nissan Xterra features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with a single 9004 LED dual-filament bulb handling both low and high beams. The Xterra has been available from 2000 to 2015, and the 2001 model falls in the early-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2001 Nissan Xterra?

Upgrading the 2001 Nissan Xterra to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single 9004 LED dual-filament bulb for both low and high beams. You only need one pair of LED bulbs to upgrade both functions. Look for a 9004 LED LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly. For the fog lights, a H3 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2001 Nissan Xterra

To remove the headlight bulb, disconnect the wiring harness, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Older model years like the 2001 Xterra 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 H3 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 9004 LEDHigh Beam: 9004 LEDFog Light: H3 LEDBrake Light: 921 LEDSide Marker: 194 LEDTurn Signal Front: 1156NA LEDTurn Signal Rear: 3157NA LEDDome Light: DE3175License Plate: 168Map Light: 578Parking Light: 194Reverse Light: 921Trunk Light: LED Light
Shop Complete LED Kit

2001 Nissan Xterra Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
9004 LEDBuy 9004 LED
High Beam
9004 LEDBuy 9004 LED
Fog Light
H3 LEDBuy H3 LED
Brake Light
921 LEDBuy 921 LED
Side Marker
194 LEDBuy 194 LED
Turn Signal Front
1156NA LEDBuy 1156NA LED
Turn Signal Rear
3157NA LEDBuy 3157NA LED
Dome Light
DE3175Buy DE3175
License Plate
168Buy 168
Map Light
578Buy 578
Parking Light
194Buy 194
Reverse Light
921Buy 921
Trunk Light
LED LightBuy LED Light

Want to upgrade everything at once?

Shop Complete LED Kit for 2001 Nissan Xterra
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 2001 Nissan Xterra Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2001 Nissan Xterra 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 25 years old, the original bulbs on your Xterra 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 2001 Nissan Xterra?

The 9004 low beam bulb on the 2001 Nissan Xterra is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact 9004 size. 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.

2001 Nissan Xterra Headlight FAQ

The 2001 Nissan Xterra uses a 9004 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2001 Nissan Xterra is 9004 LED.

The 2001 Nissan Xterra uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 2001 Nissan Xterra comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9004 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2001 Nissan Xterra takes a H3 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 9004 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 9004 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen 9004 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 9004 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Nissan Xterra Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 2000 to 2015, the Nissan Xterra has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2001 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2005. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2001 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Xterra Years

201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022000
1200200SX240SX240Z260Z280Z300ZX350Z

Other Vehicles That Use 9004 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a 9004 LED low beam bulb:

2005 Chevrolet Venture2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport2002 Dodge Ram 25002002 Dodge Ram 35002002 Isuzu Trooper1999 Acura SLX