Dodge Charger Bulb Size List: Classic to Modern Generations, Fully Explained
Last Updated on 2025-12-21
Why Dodge Charger bulb size matter
If you drive a Charger, whether it’s an old-school ’68 with hidden headlights or a 2023 daily with LED accents, the lighting setup isn’t cosmetic fluff. The correct Dodge Charger bulb size is the difference between clean visibility and sketchy, guesswork driving. It’s also the difference between plug-and-play upgrades and wasting money on bulbs that don’t fit, throw warnings, or fry sockets.
Headlights, turn signals, side markers, interior lamps – all of them sit on their own little demand curve of effort versus value. When you know the right Dodge Charger bulb size for your year, generation, and trim, you get disproportionate value out of a tiny spend. You move from “hope this works” to “I know this fits, I know what I’m getting.” That’s the dream outcome for a simple maintenance task like bulbs.
I’ll walk through the classic 1968–1969 Chargers, then the modern 2006–2010, 2011–2014, and 2015–2023 models. You’ll see exact bulb types, where they sit, and how to approach halogen, HID, and LED upgrades without a niche slap to your wallet. The point is simple: once you know your Dodge Charger bulb size, every replacement or upgrade becomes a clean and confident move, rather than a gamble.
Quick lighting overview for classic and modern chargers
Before you dive into wrenching or clicking “Buy now,” it helps to see a quick snapshot. The Chargers from 1968–1969 used old-school sealed beams and common 115x/194 bulbs. Modern Chargers sit in a more commoditized world of H13, 9012, D3S, and CANbus-sensitive LEDs.
Here’s a high-level summary so you can see how the platform evolved and where the main Dodge Charger bulb size patterns sit across years.
| Generation/years | Main low/high beam bulb type (with search link) |
| 1968–1969 classic (standard or hidden headlights) | H6024 sealed beam |
| 2006–2010 (LX) | H13 / 9008 |
| 2011–2014 halogen | 9012 (HIR2) |
| 2011–2014 HID option | D3S HID |
| 2015–2023 halogen projector | 9012 (HIR2) |
| 2015–2023 HID / LED signature | D3S HID module |
This is the tip of the iceberg. The real value shows up when you drill into turn signals, fog lights, side markers, and interior lighting. That’s where the Dodge Charger bulb size details save you time, money, and headaches.
1968–1969 Dodge Charger headlight and exterior bulb sizes
The '68–’69 Charger is a different animal. You deal with round sealed-beam headlights and simple dual-filament bulbs for park and turn lights. The bonus: it’s simple, it’s serviceable, and parts have zero scarcity. The twist is whether your car has exposed headlights or the classic vacuum-operated hidden doors. Bulb sizes are the same; access and hardware differ.
Here’s the main exterior Dodge Charger bulb size layout for 1968–1969:
| Function | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Headlight (all four round lamps, low/high) | H6024 sealed beam |
| Front park / turn signal | 1157 dual filament |
| Front side marker | 194 wedge |
| Rear stop / tail / turn (combined) | 1157 dual filament |
| Rear side marker | 194 wedge |
| Reverse light | 1156 single filament |
| License plate | 194 wedge |
On a hidden-headlight car, you spend more time dealing with doors and linkages than bulbs. Still, that H6024 sealed beam remains the core Dodge Charger bulb size for the front, and LED conversions are a big upgrade in real-world use. If you go LED, pick a set with a good beam pattern; scatter and glare will grate on your belief system every time you drive at night.
Interior bulbs for 1968–1969 Charger
Inside a '68–’69 Charger, the lighting scheme is simple and kinda charming. You have tiny bulbs behind the cluster, festoon bulbs in the dome and trunk, and small lamps for the console if equipped. Swapping these to LEDs can give you that “fresh but period-correct” vibe when you pick the right color temperature.
| Location | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Instrument cluster | 194 mini wedge |
| Glove box | 1895 miniature |
| Dome light | 211-2 festoon |
| Console / courtesy (if equipped) | 194 wedge |
| Trunk light | 211-2 festoon |
When you retrofit LEDs into these sockets, take care with polarity and housing space. Some bigger LED boards look powerful on paper, but smack into the lens or reflectors. The dream outcome is a clean fit that looks factory until you flip the switch.
2006–2010 Dodge Charger bulb size guide
The 2006–2010 Charger brings you into the LX era. Big sedan, shared platform with Chrysler 300, straightforward halogen lighting from the factory. Most trims use H13 dual-filament bulbs for low and high beams, with separate fogs and familiar 3157/194 stuff around the car.
Here’s the main exterior Dodge Charger bulb size layout for 2006–2010:
| Function | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Headlight low / high (halogen) | H13 / 9008 |
| Fog light | H11 |
| Front turn signal | 3157A amber |
| Front side marker | 194 amber |
| Rear tail / stop / turn | 3157 |
| Rear side marker | 194 |
| Reverse light | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
Interior lamps on 2006–2010 cars are straightforward too:
| Location | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Front map lights | 578 festoon |
| Rear dome | 578 festoon |
| Door courtesy lamps (if equipped) | 194 wedge |
| Trunk | 912 |
If you want LED upgrades here, you usually aim at H13 and H11 first, then interior, then tails and turns with CANbus-friendly 3157 LEDs. This generation is pretty forgiving, but cheap LEDs can still trigger hyperflash or weird behavior. You want value, not a strobe show.
2011–2014 Charger Lighting Breakdown
The 2011–2014 Charger got a big styling reboot. The lighting system is split into two main paths: halogen projectors or optional HID xenon setups. That’s where the Dodge Charger bulb size question becomes way more precise. You can’t throw 9012 halogens into a factory HID car and expect anything good.
Exterior bulbs for 2011–2014 halogen-based cars:
| Function | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Low / high beam (halogen projector) | 9012 (HIR2) |
| Fog lights | 9006 |
| Front turn signal | 3157A amber |
| Front side marker | 194 amber |
| Rear tail / stop / turn | 3157 |
| Reverse light | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
For 2011–2014 Chargers with factory HID low beams, the core changes at the front:
| Function | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Low beam (HID) | D3S HID capsule |
| High beam (in some trims) | 9005 |
| Fog lights | 9006 |
Interiors remain familiar but slightly tweaked:
| Location | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Front map lights | 578 festoon |
| Rear dome / overhead | 578 festoon |
| Footwell / courtesy (if equipped) | 194 |
| Trunk | 912 |
On these cars, LEDs in the 9012 slot can be a huge perceived upgrade, but beam pattern and glare matter. When you search for upgrades, think in terms of value and beam control, not only lumens. The Dodge Charger bulb size data gets you to the right product category; optics and quality decide whether people flash you all night.
2015–2023 charger lighting and drl details
The 2015–2023 Charger sharpened the front fascia and introduced more aggressive LED signatures. Some trims run halogen projectors with 9012 bulbs, others have HID D3S modules with built-in LED daytime running lights. On many models, the LED DRL strips and some rear LEDs are part of a non-serviceable assembly, so the “bulb size” becomes “replace the whole unit.” No bueno for profit margins, but that’s the game.
Here’s a practical exterior Dodge Charger bulb size guide for 2015–2023:
| Function | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Low / high beam (halogen projector trims) | 9012 (HIR2) |
| Low beam (HID trims) | D3S HID module |
| Fog lights (many SXT / R/T) | 9006 |
| Front turn signal | 7444NA / 7440 amber |
| Front side marker | 194 amber |
| Rear turn/brake (LED assembly on many trims) | LED tail assembly |
| Reverse light | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
Interior bulbs for 2015–2023 still give you nice, easy wins with LEDs:
| Location | Bulb type / size (Amazon search) |
| Front map lights | 578 festoon |
| Rear overhead/dome | 578 festoon |
| Footwell/courtesy (where fitted) | 194 |
| Trunk lamp | 912 |
This is where having accurate Dodge Charger bulb size data really pays off. You can build a full interior and exterior LED kit in your cart in a few minutes instead of bouncing between wrong guesses and returns.
Common dodge charger lighting problems and quick checks
Across classic and modern generations, Chargers share a few lighting patterns. When bulbs go out, the fault is not always the filament.
- On 1968–1969 cars, watch for bad grounds in the rear harness, corroded sockets, and tired headlight switches that drop voltage to the H6024 sealed beams.
- On 2006–2010 cars, hyperflash on the 3157 turn signals after LED swaps often comes from non-CANbus bulbs or missing resistors.
- On 2011–2023 Chargers with HID, flicker, or intermittent failure can come from ballasts or power modules rather than the D3S capsule itself.
If multiple bulbs on one side fail, I always start with fuses and grounds. If one lamp in a circuit fails and the rest are fine, then the Dodge Charger bulb size data lets you pick a replacement confidently and see whether the problem disappears or whether you’re chasing wiring instead. How to choose LED upgrades without wasting money
LED upgrades are where a lot of owners burn egregious amounts of money. The market is commoditized, and the cheapest options look tempting. Then they flicker, throw errors, or aim light everywhere except where you need it.
First, match the Dodge Charger bulb size correctly: H13, 9012, H11, 9006, 3157, 7440, 194, 921, and so on. That tells you what to search for. For example, if you drive a 2012 Charger with halogen projectors, you might look at 9012 LED bulbs and a quality set of 9006 LED fog lights rather than random “universal” kits.
Second, look for clear beam pattern photos or reviews that mention cutoff quality. Raw lumen numbers can be marketing hype. Your dream outcome is a strong, controlled pattern on the road, not a flood of glare aimed into oncoming traffic.
Third, consider CANbus compatibility on modern Chargers. Bulb-out detection can complain when you install low-draw LEDs. Many 3157, 7440, and 194 LEDs come in CANbus variants that simulate the load of halogen. That’s where the value lives: fewer warning lights, less wiring hackery, less frustration.
Step-by-step bulb replacement tips
Once you know the right Dodge Charger bulb size, replacement becomes more about access than mystery. The exact steps differ between a ’69 Charger and a 2019 Scat Pack, but the flow stays similar.
On a 1968–1969 Charger, remove the headlight bezels or access panels, unplug the H6024 sealed beam, release the retaining ring, and pull the unit forward. For hidden-headlight cars, you may need to open doors manually or disable the vacuum system so you can work without fighting the mechanism. Rear lamps usually require pulling the lens screws and gently moving the housing off old 1157 or 1156 bulbs.
On 2006–2023 Chargers, front bulbs often come through access panels in the wheel well or behind the headlamp housing. You reach the bulb, twist counterclockwise, pull it out, then swap in the new H13, 9012, D3S, or H11/9006 as appropriate. Reverse lights in the decklid or trunk lid usually involve removing a trunk trim panel to reach the 921 sockets.
Common sense moves help:
Switch the lights off, let halogens cool, avoid touching glass with bare fingers, and test each bulb before fully reassembling the trim. When you’ve matched the Dodge Charger bulb size correctly, a quick test confirms you got the alignment and connections right. That saves you from redoing panels twice.
When diy bulb work is unsafe
Most bulb jobs are simple, but some situations deserve a pause. Even if you love doing your own work, there are a few cases where paying a shop is a decent guarantee against headaches.
Any time you deal with factory HID on 2011–2023 Chargers, remember that ballasts carry high voltage. Swapping a D3S capsule carefully is usually safe if you power down and disconnect the battery, though if the housing or ballast is suspect, I prefer a professional to handle it. Shorting HID components can do more than blow a fuse.
On late-model cars with adaptive or auto-leveling headlights, calibration may require dealer-level tools. If your upgrade plan involves coding changes, disabling DRL behavior, or retrofitting a different headlight assembly, that’s where DIY confidence can collide with modern electronics. The Dodge Charger bulb size charts help with the parts, but they don’t override the complexity of modules, sensors, and airbags sitting behind trim panels.
Finally, if a previous owner hacked the wiring badly, melted connectors, or hard-wired resistors in a sketchy way, treat that as a red flag. Sorting out that mess safely gives huge value and peace of mind, and sometimes a pro is the fastest route to that outcome.
Faq about Dodge Charger bulb size and upgrades, which Dodge Charger bulb size should I check first if my lights seem dim?
Start with the main low beams for your year. For 1968–1969, that’s the H6024 sealed beam. For 2006–2010, it’s H13. For many 2011–2023 halogen cars, it’s 9012. Once you confirm the right Dodge Charger bulb size, replacing aged or cheap bulbs usually gives an instant upgrade in brightness.
Can I put LED bulbs in classic 1968–1969 charger headlights?
Yes, as long as you use LED conversions that fit the H6024 footprint and maintain a sensible beam pattern. Search for something that fits the stock buckets and doesn’t overload wiring. That way, you keep the classic look while adding modern visibility. Why do my turn signals blink fast after installing LEDs in a modern charger?
Hyperflash usually comes from the car sensing low current draw on 3157, 7440, or similar sockets. Pick CANbus-ready LED bulbs in the correct Dodge Charger bulb size or use proper resistors, and the flash rate should normalize.
Are the 2015–2023 charger tail lights serviceable with bulb changes?
On many trims, the rear LED “racetrack” tail light assembly is a sealed unit, so there’s no individual bulb swap for that strip. The reverse lights still use serviceable 921 bulbs, though, and those respond well to bright LED replacements.
How do I avoid cheap LEDs that scatter light everywhere?
Match the bulb base correctly, then look for LEDs that place the emitters where the halogen filament sits in the original design. Reviews that mention a clean cutoff and focused beam are worth more than raw lumen bragging. That’s where value beats hype.
Do I need to upgrade the wiring on a 1968–1969 Charger when I install better headlights?
Many owners add headlight relays and heavier-gauge feed wires to take the load off the original switch. The Dodge Charger bulb size stays H6024, but the voltage at the lamps increases, which gives more light and less strain on old components.
Can I mix halogen and LED bulbs in the same car?
Yes, plenty of people run halogen headlights with LED interior bulbs, or LED reverse lights with stock tails. The key is to keep each socket matched to the correct Dodge Charger bulb size and avoid mismatched color temperatures that look weird or draw attention the wrong way.
What’s the easiest “first mod” lighting upgrade on a modern charger?
Interior LEDs and license plate bulbs are fast wins. Swapping 194, 578, and 912 bulbs for quality LEDs takes little time, creates a neat, modern look, and carries almost zero risk. After that, you can move to 9012 or H13 headlight upgrades once you feel comfortable.
Do aftermarket projector headlights change the bulb size?
Many aftermarket housings reuse the same base type, but some switch to different bulbs. Always check the documentation for the new housing; don’t assume it matches the stock Dodge Charger bulb size. When in doubt, pull the cap and check the marking on the installed bulb.
How often should I replace bulbs if they still work?
Filament bulbs slowly dim over time. If your headlights are several years old and you drive a lot at night, you’ll often feel a meaningful improvement when you install fresh lamps in the correct size. It’s a small cost for a big visibility bonus and a real safety guarantee in bad weather.
Once you lock in the exact Dodge Charger bulb size for your year and trim, you can plan upgrades, keep spares in the trunk, and avoid the late-night scramble at a gas station rack. That’s the quietly powerful side of knowing your car: less drama, more control, more value every time you hit the road.
