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Fitment Guaranteed for 2004 Volkswagen GTI

What Size Bulbs Does a 2004 Volkswagen GTI Use?

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

Installation Difficulty

Hard (Tight clearances)

Est. Replacement Cost

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

What Lighting System Does the 2004 Volkswagen GTI Have?

The 2004 Volkswagen GTI features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with a single H7 LED dual-filament bulb handling both low and high beams. The GTI has been available from 1985 to 2019, and the 2004 model falls in the mid-generation years. As a Volkswagen vehicle, it uses a CANbus electrical system that monitors bulb status.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2004 Volkswagen GTI?

Upgrading the 2004 Volkswagen GTI to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single H7 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 H7 LED LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly. Important: Volkswagen vehicles use a CANbus system that detects bulb wattage. Standard LED bulbs may trigger dashboard warnings or flicker. Choose LED kits labeled "CANbus-compatible" or add inline decoder resistors to prevent these issues. 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 2004 Volkswagen GTI

The H7 bulb uses a spring clip or wire retainer that holds the bulb in the socket. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. Volkswagen vehicles are known for tight engine bay clearances around the headlight assembly. You may need to remove the air intake duct, battery cover, or wheel well liner to access the bulbs. Budget 30 to 45 minutes per side for your first replacement. 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: H7 LEDHigh Beam: H7 LEDFog Light: H3 LEDBrake Light: LED BulbSide Marker: 5007 LEDTurn Signal Front: 3457AK LEDTurn Signal Rear: 12496 LEDDome Light: 6411License Plate: 6418Map Light: 2825Parking Light: 3457NAReverse Light: 7506Trunk Light: 2825
Shop Complete LED Kit

2004 Volkswagen GTI Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
H7 LEDBuy H7 LED
High Beam
H7 LEDBuy H7 LED
Fog Light
H3 LEDBuy H3 LED
Brake Light
LED BulbBuy LED Bulb
Side Marker
5007 LEDBuy 5007 LED
Turn Signal Front
3457AK LEDBuy 3457AK LED
Turn Signal Rear
12496 LEDBuy 12496 LED
Dome Light
6411Buy 6411
License Plate
6418Buy 6418
Map Light
2825Buy 2825
Parking Light
3457NABuy 3457NA
Reverse Light
7506Buy 7506
Trunk Light
2825Buy 2825

Want to upgrade everything at once?

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How Long Do 2004 Volkswagen GTI Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2004 Volkswagen GTI 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 22 years old, the original bulbs on your GTI 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 2004 Volkswagen GTI?

The H7 low beam bulb on the 2004 Volkswagen GTI is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact H7 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.

2004 Volkswagen GTI Headlight FAQ

The 2004 Volkswagen GTI uses a H7 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2004 Volkswagen GTI is H7 LED.

The 2004 Volkswagen GTI uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 2004 Volkswagen GTI comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a H7 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2004 Volkswagen GTI 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 H7 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. Note: Volkswagen vehicles use a CANbus system, so LED replacements may need an anti-flicker decoder. 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 H7 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen H7 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 H7 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements. Since the Volkswagen uses CANbus monitoring, choose a CANbus-compatible LED kit to avoid dashboard errors.

Did Volkswagen GTI Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1985 to 2019, the Volkswagen GTI has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2004 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2018. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2004 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other GTI Years

2019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985
411412ArteonAtlasBeetleCCCabrioCabriolet

Other Vehicles That Use H7 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a H7 LED low beam bulb:

2023 Hyundai Kona2023 Kia Forte2022 Hyundai Veloster2021 Hyundai Tucson2019 BMW 330i xDrive2019 BMW X1