2015 Nissan Altima Bulb Size Chart & Replacement Guide

As an ASE-certified master technician, I’ve seen my fair share of 2015 Nissan Altimas roll into the shop with burnt-out headlights or flickering interior lights. The fifth-generation Altima (2013-2018) is a solid, reliable commuter, but like all vehicles, its lighting system requires periodic maintenance. Knowing the correct bulb sizes before you start tearing into the engine bay or trunk lining will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Whether you’re just swapping out a dead halogen bulb or looking to upgrade your Altima to a modern LED setup, this comprehensive bulb size guide has you covered.

Quick reference: 2015 Nissan Altima Bulb Sizes

Here is the complete bulb size chart for the 2015 Nissan Altima. Note: Always check your specific trim level (Base, S, SV, SL), as higher trims with the Technology Package may feature factory HID headlights or LED accents.

*The 2015 Altima 3.5 SL and models equipped with the Technology Package use D2S High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs for the low beams. All other trims use standard H11 halogen bulbs in projector housings.

LED vs Halogen Upgrade Considerations

Upgrading your Altima’s standard halogen bulbs to LEDs is incredibly popular, especially for the H11 low beams. The factory halogen projectors do a decent job, but an LED bulb can drastically improve nighttime visibility. However, keep these professional tips in mind:

• CANBUS Errors & Flickering: The 2015 Altima is generally forgiving with LED upgrades, but cheaper LED kits might cause flickering or dashboard warning lights. If you experience this, you will need to install CANBUS decoders (load resistors) inline with the LED bulbs.
• Space Limitations and Dust Caps: H11 LED bulbs with large cooling fans or heat sinks can be difficult to fit behind the Altima’s factory headlight dust caps. You may need to purchase extended aftermarket dust caps to keep moisture out of the headlight assembly.
• Turn Signal Hyper-Flashing: If you upgrade the front (3457NA) or rear (3157) turn signals to LEDs, you will experience hyper-flashing unless the LED bulbs have built-in load resistors or you wire external resistors into the harness.
• Beam Pattern: Always ensure your LED low beam chips face 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock when locked into the projector housing to guarantee a proper beam pattern and avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

How to Replace Each Bulb

• Headlights (Low/High Beam): Accessing the headlight bulbs requires reaching behind the headlight assembly. On the passenger side, space is tight near the coolant reservoir. On the driver side, you may need to unclip the air intake duct for better access. Twist the dust cap counterclockwise, unplug the connector, and twist the bulb out.
• Fog Lights: The easiest way to access the H11 fog lights is from underneath the vehicle. Remove the few 10mm bolts and plastic push-pins holding the front sections of the splash shield, pull the plastic back, and you’ll have direct access to the fog light housings.
• Turn Signals & Side Markers: Front turn signals are accessed through the wheel well. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the opposite side, remove the front plastic fender liner clips, and peel the liner back.
• Reverse & Rear Turn Signals: Open the trunk and pull back the carpeted trunk liner directly behind the tail lights. You will see the plastic bulb sockets which can be twisted out easily. (Remember, brake and tail lights are sealed LED units; if they fail, the entire housing must be replaced).
• Interior & License Plate: Use a plastic trim removal tool to gently pry off the clear plastic covers for the map, dome, and license plate lights. This prevents scratching the surrounding plastic or paint.

Common Lighting Issues for this Generation

As a technician, the most common issue I see on the 2013-2015 Altima is headlight reflector bowl failure. Over time, the heat from the H11 halogen bulbs burns and flakes off the reflective chrome lining inside the low-beam projector bowl. This drastically reduces light output, making it dangerously dim at night—even with brand new bulbs. If putting in fresh H11 bulbs or LEDs doesn't fix your dim headlights, the entire headlight assembly unfortunately needs to be replaced. Nissan actually issued a warranty extension and reimbursement program for this specific issue, so check with your dealer.

Another minor issue is moisture buildup in the fog light housings. Ensure the bulbs are seated completely and the O-rings are intact when replacing them.

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