This blog post is for 2014+ Toyota Corollas
If you drive a Toyota Corolla that’s 2014 or newer, you probably know your Corolla comes with LED headlamps as standard equipment.
More efficient, durable, and generally lasting 10x longer than halogen, LED headlamps are becoming the headlights of choice for car manufactures.
You also probably want to know if the LED headlamp bulb breaks, can you easily replace it?
I’ve got bad news and good news.
The bad news is, no, you cannot replace the LED headlamp bulbs in your newer Toyota Corolla because the low-beam headlights do not use a bulb at all. Instead, newer Corollas utilize Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted on a chip, projected through a lens, and sealed in a headlight low beam module.
Here’s what I mean. As you can see, it’s not possible to replace individual LEDs like you would be swapping in a new bulb. There are multiple LEDs soldered to a chip.
Check out this video by Youtuber GTFGrill that shows a disassembled headlight unit for a 2014-2016 Toyota Corolla. The 2017-2019, and 2020+ Corolla headlamp units have a similar construction.
Notice how the low-beam headlamp module is one sealed unit. Here are screenshots showing what I mean highlighted in green.
And here’s what your owner’s manual says on the subject.
If, for whatever reason, the low beam headlight module is damaged due to extreme operating conditions or a projectile, like a rock flung off a semi, destroys it, you’ll have to replace the entire headlight assembly.
LED Headlight assemblies for the Toyota Corolla from third-party manufacturers roughly cost $150 for 2014-2018 Corollas and $350 for 2019+ Corollas. Keep in mind, that’s just for one left or right headlamp assembly. As time goes on, LED headlamp assembly units should become cheaper.
Here are screenshots of what you can expect to pay from Rock Auto for 2014-2016 to 2020+ Corollas, respectively.
You can find cheaper Corolla headlamp assemblies for new, for as low as $100 on eBay.
You can always also search for used headlamp assemblies. A quick search brought up used Corolla headlamp assemblies as cheap as $55. But, you run the risk of buying one with a malfunctioning LED headlamp module. Be sure to check the description, confirming a 100 percent functioning unit.
It’s worth mentioning eBay is the wild west of aftermarket parts and, for new parts, suppliers are not as well vetted as Rock Auto does.
The good news is LEDs are typically rated to last as long as 50,000 operating hours. Toyota ensured that whatever LED low beam module they equipped in your car, it would be durable and robust enough to last for the life of the car and then some.
Barring nothing ever destroys your headlight, you’ll never have to worry about replacing your low beam headlamp modules.
As for upgrading, while it’s technically possible to upgrade the LED module with an aftermarket LED unit, you probably shouldn’t. The LED headlamp module made for your Toyota is specifically engineered for your Corolla and its headlamp assembly. Equipping your Corolla’s headlamp assembly with an LED module with different specs may lead to inferior light performance compared to stock.
While your Corollas has more expensive low beam LED headlamp modules, over the life of your car, they should essentially be trouble free, a maintenance item you never have to worry about.
