2017 Nissan Altima Bulb Size Chart & Upgrade Guide

As an ASE-certified master technician, I have worked on hundreds of Nissan Altimas. The 2017 Nissan Altima, part of the L33 generation's mid-cycle facelift, is a highly reliable daily driver, but like all vehicles, it requires routine lighting maintenance. Whether you are replacing a burnt-out headlight or upgrading your interior lights to modern LEDs, knowing the exact bulb size is critical.

Below is your comprehensive bulb size guide for the 2017 Nissan Altima, covering everything from the headlights to the license plate lights.

Quick Reference: 2017 Nissan Altima Bulb Sizes

Note: The 2017 Altima features different headlight assemblies depending on the trim level. Base models (S, SV) typically use halogen H11 projector low beams, while higher trims (like the SR and SL) may come equipped with factory-integrated LED low beams and DRLs. Factory LED assemblies cannot simply have a bulb swapped; the entire housing or module must be replaced if it fails.

LED vs Halogen Upgrade Considerations

Upgrading your 2017 Altima from standard halogens to LEDs is a popular modification, especially for the H11 low beams and H8 fog lights. However, as a master technician, I always advise my customers to keep a few things in mind:

• CANBUS and Hyper-Flashing: If you upgrade your turn signals (7444NA front, 7440NA rear) to LEDs, they draw significantly less power than halogens. The Altima's computer will interpret this as a burnt-out bulb, causing "hyper-flashing." To prevent this, you will need LED bulbs with built-in CANBUS resistors, or you will need to wire in external load resistors.
• Headlight Dust Covers: The Altima uses dust covers behind the headlight assemblies to keep moisture out. Many aftermarket H11 LED bulbs have large cooling fans or heat sinks on the back. Ensure the LED bulbs you choose have a low-profile design so the factory dust caps can still be securely sealed.
• Beam Pattern: The halogen Altimas use projector lenses for the low beams. When installing aftermarket LEDs, make sure the LED chips are aligned at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to mimic the original halogen filament and prevent blinding oncoming drivers.

How to Replace Each Bulb

• Low/High Beam Headlights: Accessing the headlight bulbs on the 2017 Altima can be slightly tight from the top of the engine bay. The easiest method is often to turn the steering wheel all the way to one side, remove the clips holding the inner fender liner, and pull the liner back. This gives you direct access to the back of the headlight housing. Twist the dust cap counter-clockwise, then twist the bulb to remove it.
• Fog Lights: These are also best accessed from behind the fender liner or by removing the lower splash shield beneath the front bumper. It is a simple twist-and-pull mechanism.
• Tail, Turn, and Reverse Lights: Open the trunk and pull back the fabric liner behind the tail light assembly. You will see the sockets for the reverse and rear turn signal bulbs. Twist counter-clockwise to remove. Keep in mind the primary brake/tail lights are factory LEDs; if they fail, the assembly needs replacing.
• Interior Lights (Dome/Map): Use a non-marring plastic trim removal tool to gently pry the plastic light covers off. Be careful not to snap the retaining clips. Swap the bulbs and snap the cover back in place.

Common Lighting Issues for this Generation

While the 2017 Altima is generally solid, the L33 generation has a well-documented history of headlight issues. The most prominent issue involves the halogen projector bowls. Over time, the heat from the halogen H11 bulbs can burn and deteriorate the reflective coating inside the projector bowl.

If you notice your headlights are dangerously dim at night—even after replacing the bulbs with brand-new ones—the projector bowls have likely burnt out. Unfortunately, the only fix for this is replacing the entire headlight assembly. Upgrading to cooler-running LED bulbs early in the car's life can sometimes prevent or slow down this degradation.

If you are dealing with burnt projector bowls, severe condensation in your light housings, or just need professional help with an LED upgrade, don't leave your nighttime visibility to chance. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.