Volvo XC60 Bulb Size Guide (2009–2024): Complete Headlight, Taillight, and Interior Light Chart
Last Updated on 2025-12-12
Why the Volvo XC60 bulb size actually matters
If you drive a Volvo XC60, you already play in the “safe, sensible, still kind of premium” territory. The lighting system fits that vibe too… until a low beam dies in the rain, a reverse light burns out, or you decide that the stock halogens look a bit sad next to modern LEDs. That’s when knowing the correct Volvo XC60 bulb size stops being trivia and turns into real, practical value.
Volvo made the XC60 from 2009 all the way into the 2020s, and the engineers kept tweaking the headlamps, daytime running lights, and rear clusters. Some trims run simple halogens, others get HID (Xenon), newer ones add LED modules, and different rear bulb styles. If you guess wrong, you waste money, you waste time, and your dream outcome of “quick Saturday upgrade” turns into “gimme my money back” frustration.
This guide pulls everything together so you can look up your generation, match the Volvo XC60 bulb size to the right corner of the car, and order bulbs with confidence. I’ll walk through both generations, common problems, LED upgrades, and when it’s smart to step away and let a shop handle it. Think of it as a de-commoditized version of those generic bulb charts: more context, more nuance, better decisions.
Quick Volvo XC60 bulb size snapshot
Before diving deep, here’s the high-level picture. For the first generation (2009–2017), most XC60 models use halogen low beams with optional HID units on higher trims; typical halogen sizes are H11 for the low beam and H9 for the high beam, with H11 fog lights and 1156/1157 style bulbs for many rear and DRL functions. From 2014 to 2017, HID cars, the low beam usually moves to D3S while the high beam may switch to H7 as a separate reflector.
On the second generation (2018–2024), things get more mixed. Some cars still use serviceable halogen or HID bulbs with sizes like H7, H11/H8/H9, and D3S/D3R in the headlamps, while many trims have integrated LED modules that don’t have a “bulb size” in the classic sense. Rear lights trend toward 7440/7443 for brake, tail, turn, and DRL duties on newer years. Interior and license plate lights stay mostly in the T10/194/168 space across the life of the model.
So when you look up Volvo XC60 bulb size info below, keep your model year front and center. Same badge, different internals, very different buying decisions.
First-generation Volvo XC60 bulb size (2009–2017)
The early XC60 (roughly 2009–2013) sticks with a pretty straightforward halogen setup on most trims, with HID/Xenon arriving more often on later 2014–2017 examples or option packages. For practical purposes, it makes sense to treat 2009–2017 as one big generation and then remember that some 2014–2017 cars will have D3S HID low beams.
Use the table below as your working map. It bundles halogen, HID, and common rear/interior Volvo XC60 bulb size picks into one combined reference for the first generation. Always double-check your owner’s manual or physically inspect the housing if something looks off, because regional specs and facelift changes can create some odd edge cases.
| Position | Function / notes | Bulb size (with search link) |
| Front low beam (halogen) | Projector low beam on most 2009–2017 non-HID cars | H11 |
| Front low beam (HID / Xenon) | Factory HID low beam on many 2014–2017 trims | D3S / D3R |
| Front low beam (early HID variants) | Some early cars may use D1S/D1R style HID capsules | D1S / D1R |
| Front high beam (halogen reflector) | Separate high beam reflector in the main headlamp | H9 |
| Front high beam on HID cars | High beam reflector paired with HID low beam | H7 |
| Front fog lights | Round fog lamps in the lower bumper on most trims | H11 |
| Daytime running light / front position | DRL and position lamp in shared or separate housings | 1156 / 1157 |
| Front turn signal | Amber front indicator in the headlamp or bumper | 1156 / 1157 / PWY24W |
| Rear brake / tail | Main brake and tail filament in the rear combination lamp | 1157 |
| Rear turn signal | Amber rear indicator in the outer lamp section | 1156 |
| Reverse / backup light | White lamp in the tailgate or rear cluster | 1156 |
| Rear fog (if equipped) | Extra red lamp, usually one side only | 1156 |
| License plate | Small lamps above or beside the plate | T10/194/168 |
| Front interior / map lights | Overhead console or dome map lights | T10/194/168 |
| Rear interior / cargo | Rear dome and cargo-area lighting | T10/194/168 |
If your XC60 lives in this 2009–2017 group, you can usually sort out your Volvo XC60 bulb size needs from this table, plus a quick peek at your actual housing. When in doubt, start with H11 low beam, H9 high beam, T10 interior, and 1156/1157 style rear lamps as your core “kit,” then refine based on what you see on the car. Second-generation Volvo XC60 bulb size (2018–2024)
The second generation adds more tech, more LED, and a bit more complexity. Some trims still give you halogen or HID bulbs you can swap in your driveway. Others ship with full LED headlamp modules that Volvo treats as a single unit. In those cases, there is no classic “Volvo XC60 bulb size,” because the whole assembly is the part.
The table below focuses on the serviceable bulbs that show up most often on 2018–2024 cars. Assume that if you physically see a removable cap or socket in the headlamp, you’re dealing with a normal bulb. If the lamp looks like one sealed block of engineering with fancy “Thor’s Hammer” light patterns, that’s probably an LED module, and the dealer or a specialist workshop owns that upgrade path.
| Position | Function / notes | Bulb size (with search link) |
| Front low beam (halogen) | Halogen low beam in basic headlamp versions | H7 / H11 / H8 / H9 |
| Front low beam (HID) | Some 2018–2019 cars with factory Xenon / HID | D3S / D3R |
| Front high beam (halogen) | High beam reflector paired to halogen or HID low beams | H9 |
| Front turn signal | Amber indicator integrated into headlamp cluster | PWY24W / 7440 / 7443 |
| Front DRL / position | DRL and position lamp in halogen-type housings | W21/5W / 7440 / 7443 |
| Rear brake / tail (early 2nd gen) | 2018 cars often mix classic and newer wedge bulbs | 1157 / 7443 |
| Rear brake / tail (2019–2024) | Later years tend to standardize on wedge style | 7443 |
| Rear turn signal | Amber turn filament in the vertical rear cluster | 7440 / 7443 |
| Reverse / backup light | White reverse lamp, often in the lower tailgate section | 7440 / 7443 |
| Rear fog (if equipped) | Red rear fog lamp, usually one side only | 7440 / 7443 |
| License plate | Small lamps above the plate, similar to first gen | T10/194/168 |
| Interior dome / map | Front and rear dome and map lights | T10/194/168 |
| Cargo-area light | Trunk lamp on the side trim | T10/194/168 |
If you own a 2018+ car with full LED headlights and the dealer tells you the “bulb” is the whole module, that’s not a sales pitch; that is how the part is built. In that case, the Volvo XC60 bulb size conversation only really applies to the rear lights, DRLs, and interior lamps, which still offer plenty of room for upgrades and value.
Typical XC60 lighting problems you’ll probably see
Looking at the Volvo XC60 bulb size tables is one thing. Living with the car’s lighting is another. The pain points are surprisingly predictable once you’ve seen a few of these SUVs age.
First, low-beam output on older halogen cars tends to feel weak and yellow. The beam pattern itself is usually fine, but cheap aftermarket bulbs and cloudy plastic headlamp lenses drag down real-world performance. Even when the bulb size is correct, a bargain-bin capsule gives you no bonus, no guarantee, and no real safety upside. You end up throwing egregious amounts of money at replacements that all feel the same.
Second, 1156/1157 and 7440/7443 bulbs at the rear handle brake, tail, turn, and sometimes DRL or reverse duties. When those sockets get moisture or mild corrosion, the car can throw lamp warnings, fast-blink the indicators, or leave one side dead. You swap bulbs, you swear, and then you finally clean the contacts, and everything behaves again.
Third, interior T10s on the XC60 are famous for getting upgraded to cheap LEDs that flicker, glow when “off,” or grate on your belief system with a weird blue color temperature. The Volvo XC60 bulb size might be correct, but the electronics in a super-cheap LED can confuse the car’s monitoring circuits.
Finally, HID capsules (D1S/D3S) age slowly. Instead of a dramatic failure, they go pink or purple, then slowly lose brightness. Drivers get used to the decay curve and only realize how bad it was when they install fresh capsules and suddenly see like an owl at night.
How to pick the right LED upgrade without going crazy
Once you know your Volvo XC60 bulb size for a given position, the next question is simple: halogen, HID, or LED? That decision is where people either get huge value… or make the whole front of the car look like a budget Christmas tree.
If you want LED headlight or fog upgrades, start by matching the exact base. For example, a 2015 XC60 with halogen low beams will typically accept an H11 LED bulb in the projector housing. You would look for something like an H11 LED bulb that is physically close in size to the original capsule, so the beam pattern stays usable.
Here is the only little list I’d keep in your back pocket when you’re browsing LEDs for the XC60:
- Make sure the LED has a clean cutoff and decent beam photos, not just lumen marketing.
- Check that the housing has room for heat sinks or fans behind the dust cap.
- Look for CANBUS-friendly designs if your XC60 is sensitive to bulb-out warnings.
The same approach works for rear lamps. If your Volvo XC60 bulb size chart shows 7443 for brake and tail, pick an LED 7443 that keeps red behind red lenses, has built-in resistors or CANBUS support where needed, and doesn’t turn every light tap into a disco show. With interior T10s, it’s often safer to go for softer, warm-white LEDs instead of ice-blue ones; they make the cabin look less like an airport restroom.
One more psychological trick: decide up front what your dream outcome is. Do you want a subtle OEM+ look, or do you want max brightness and super-white color? Having that goal makes the Amazon search pages feel less like a commoditized mess and more like a filtered path toward your specific result. Scarcity and urgency are fake here; there will always be more bulbs tomorrow, so pick calmly and read the fine print.
Step-by-step bulb replacement game plan
Volvo isn’t the easiest brand for bulb access, but the XC60 is still manageable if you take your time. The exact steps differ by generation and headlamp style, yet the overall flow stays similar. Once you know your Volvo XC60 bulb size and have the replacement in hand, here is the rough playbook I follow.
Start by parking on a flat surface, setting the parking brake, and turning the lights off fully. Open the hood and find the rear of the headlamp. Most XC60 headlamps have a plastic cover or cap on the back; this might twist off, unclip, or pop off with a little pry from your fingers. Go slow. Cold plastic can crack if you attack it with winter energy.
When the cover is off, you’ll usually see the bulb holder and its connector. Before you unplug anything, look at how the connector and bulb are oriented. Take a picture if you tend to forget details under pressure. Then unplug the connector, release the retaining clip or quarter-turn the bulb socket, and gently pull the old capsule out. If you’re working on an H11 or H7, the shape of the tabs keeps you from inserting the new bulb in the wrong orientation, but don’t force it. If it fights you, back up and try again.
For rear lamps, you often access the bulbs through the tailgate opening by removing a small access panel or two screws that let you swing the lamp away from the body. Once the lamp is loose, again watch how the bulb sockets twist out and which one does what. Because 1156/1157 and 7440/7443 styles look similar across functions, label them in your head: brake, tail, turn, reverse, fog.
Interior T10s in the XC60 usually pop out by carefully prying the lens down with a plastic trim tool or even a folded business card. Metal screwdrivers work, but they love to leave stories in the plastic. When the lens is off, swap the bulb, test it, and then reinstall the lens by snapping it back into place.
As a rule, always test each light before you fully reassemble panels and covers. Turn the ignition on, run through low and high beams, signals, reverse, brakes, and interior lights. If something stays dark, you might have reversed polarity on an LED or missed a connector. Fixing it now beats tearing the car apart twice.
When you should skip DIY and call in backup
I’m a big fan of doing your own work. It saves money, it gives you control, and it lets you avoid the “we’ll fit any bulb for a flat fee” upsell that eats into your profit margins for no reason. That said, there are a few cases with the XC60 where walking away from DIY is the smart play.
If your car has full LED headlamps or complex HID systems with self-leveling and headlamp washers, consider how you’d feel if something expensive broke. When the Volvo XC60 bulb size in the service manual is basically “whole headlamp module,” that’s the brand warning you that this corner of the car isn’t a casual playground.
Also, think twice if you’re dealing with airbag wiring, adaptive cruise sensors, or radar units near the headlamp area. On some second-generation cars, the front radar lives close to or behind the grille and headlamp assemblies. A ham-fisted removal can turn a simple bulb job into a sensor alignment saga.
Electrical gremlins are another red flag. If bulbs keep blowing, multiple positions blink weirdly, or the car shows phantom warnings even with the correct Volvo XC60 bulb size bulbs installed, the problem may be in wiring, grounds, or the control module. That’s diagnostic time, not “swap another bulb and pray” time.
Finally, trust your own comfort level. If the idea of pulling a headlamp out more than once makes you want to sell the car, there is no shame in paying a workshop that does this stuff daily. You still win by buying the correct bulbs up front and making sure they install what you picked, not whatever gives them the best margins.
Volvo XC60 bulb size FAQ
Which Volvo XC60 bulb size do I need for low beams on a 2015 model?
Most 2015 XC60s with halogen headlights use H11 for the low beam and H9 for the high beam. HID-equipped trims usually use D3S capsules for the low beam and a separate H7 or H9 for the high beam reflector. Always confirm by checking the marking on the back of the bulb or the inside of the headlamp cover.
Are the 2009–2013 and 2014–2017 Volvo XC60 bulb size charts the same?
They’re similar but not identical. Both eras lean on H11 and H9 for halogen low and high beams, plus H11 fog lights and 1156/1157 style rear bulbs. The key difference is that 2014–2017 HID trims more commonly use D3S low beams instead of earlier D1S options. That’s why year ranges matter when you look up Volvo XC60 bulb size references.
Can I put LED bulbs in halogen headlamps on my XC60?
Physically, yes, as long as the base matches (H11, H7, H9, etc.) and the housing has room for cooling hardware. Whether you should comes down to beam quality and legality in your region. The safest path is to pick quality LEDs, keep color temperature close to OEM HID/LED levels, and test the cutoff against a wall so you don’t blind everyone.
What size are the rear bulbs on a 2019 Volvo XC60?
On many 2019 XC60s, brake, tail, turn, and sometimes DRL functions in the rear cluster are handled by wedge-style 7440/7443 bulbs, while license and interior lights are still T10/194/168. That makes 7443 and T10 the main LEDs you’ll shop for when refreshing the rear end and interior in one go.
Are all Volvo XC60 interior lights the same bulb size?
Most of them are, which is convenient. Dome, map, and cargo lamps are typically T10/194/168 types on both generations. There may be a few small festoon-style variants in some markets, but if you stock a handful of T10 LEDs, you can upgrade most of the interior in one session without feeling like you’re managing a warehouse.
Why does my XC60 show a bulb warning even after I installed new LEDs?
The car monitors current draw. If the new LED draws much less power than the factory halogen, the system can interpret that as an open circuit. You can solve this with CANBUS-compatible LEDs, external resistors, o,r in some cases a software tweak. Treat this as a known quirk rather than a mystery; the wiring isn’t haunted, it’s just picky.
Is it worth upgrading only the low beams on my XC60?
Yes, as long as you have realistic expectations. Better low beams give you immediate nighttime value, but the ambience jumps more when you treat lighting as a small system: low beams, fogs, and at least the main interior lamps. The Volvo XC60 bulb size tables here let you plan that system instead of throwing random bulbs at the car whenever something burns out.
How often should I replace HID bulbs on the XC60?
There is no hard mileage rule, but many HID capsules fade over 5–8 years of real use. If yours are older than that, look dim, or have a weird color shift, replacing them in pairs avoids mismatched output and gives you a genuine safety upgrade. HID capsules cost more than halogens, but the visibility bump feels like a strong bonus rather than a sunk cost.
Can I mix halogen and LED bulbs in the same car?
You can, and most people do. A common pattern is halogen or HID low beams plus LED interior and license lights, sometimes with LED reverse lamps for extra clarity when backing up. The big thing is consistency; wildly mismatched colors front to back look cheap. Decide on your color temperature target and keep all your Volvo XC60 bulb size choices inside that zone.
Where should I start if I want maximum lighting value with minimal hassle?
If you want a disproportionate boost for a small spend, start with fresh quality halogen or HID capsules in the low beams, then LED T10s for interior and plate lights. Add LED 7443 or 1157 brake/tail bulbs if you want extra punch when you hit the pedal. With those few moves, you hit the most used and most safety-relevant bulbs on the car, and you’ve only had to care about three or four Volvo XC60 bulb size codes instead of memorizing the whole catalog.
