I decided to upgrade the light bulbs on a 2022 Toyota Highlander AWD XLE to LEDs and was very happy with the results. One of the first changes I noticed was a much brighter turn signal, with that crisp on-off-on-off blink that LEDs are known for—far superior to the slower fade-in and fade-out of standard halogen bulbs. It might seem like a small thing, but if you’ve ever been stuck on the side of the road with your hazard lights on, you’ll appreciate how important it is to have bright, attention-grabbing flashing lights that stand out in the dark or during a storm.

Why Upgrade to LEDs?

The 4th Gen Toyota Highlander (model years 2020–2024) comes stock with a mixture of bulb types. Some lights are already LED from the factory—like the rear brake (stop) lights, rear side marker lights, and the turn signals built into the side-view mirrors. But oddly enough, the front and rear turn signals, backup lights, and most of the interior lights still use halogen or incandescent bulbs.

LEDs have become a popular upgrade for good reason. Here’s why:

Improved Safety

• Instant-on LEDs illuminate faster than halogen bulbs. That split-second difference can mean earlier reaction times for drivers behind you.
• Brighter output enhances visibility, especially in poor weather or at night.
• Better hazard visibility—your emergency flashers can now truly flash instead of glimmer.

Features and Benefits

• Energy Efficient: LEDs draw significantly less power than halogen bulbs, which can be beneficial if your vehicle is off but lights are running.
• Longer Lifespan: LEDs can last tens of thousands of hours—often the life of the vehicle.
• Crisper Light Output: Whether it’s amber turn signals or white map lights, the color and clarity are dramatically improved.
• Modern Aesthetic: LED lighting just looks better. The interior feels more upscale, and the exterior signals are sharper and more noticeable.

My LED Upgrade Goals

When I set out to upgrade the bulbs, I had a few specific criteria in mind:

• Increased brightness/output
• CANBUS error-free operation (no warning lights or hyper-flashing)
• Built-in resistors to simplify installation—no external load resistors to wire in
• Whiter color temperature (6000K) instead of warm, yellow-ish light

Also, I chose not to replace the headlights or fog lights. The stock projector headlights are already plenty bright and well-aimed. I’ve driven in all conditions and never had an issue. More importantly, I didn’t want to risk blinding oncoming drivers or getting flashed at night.

Bulb Quantities & Amazon Links

Below are the total bulbs required by bulb type.

💡 7440NA/7443 Bulb – Amber – Amazon Link – 4 required (this covers the Front Turn Signal Lights & Rear Turn Signal Lights) – order 2 packages of 2 bulbs.

💡 168 / 194 Bulb – White – Amazon Link – 8 required (this covers Door Step Lights, Front Seat Vanity Mirror Lights, Center Row Overhead Dome/Map Lights, License Plate Lights) – order 1 package of 8 bulbs.

💡 168 / 194 Bulb – Amber – Amazon Link – 2 required (this covers the Front Marker Lights) – order 1 package of 2 bulbs.

💡 921 Bulb – White – Amazon Link – 2 required (this covers the Backup/Reverse Lights) – order 1 package of 2 bulbs.

💡 28MM/DE3021 Festoon Bulb – White – Amazon Link – 1 required (this covers the Rear Cargo Area) – order 1 package of 2 bulbs (you will have one extra).

Installation Tips

• Polarity Matters: Many LED bulbs are polarity-sensitive. If one doesn’t work, flip it around.
• CANBUS Compatibility: Some of the above bulbs are labeled “CANBUS error-free” to avoid warning lights or hyper-flashing depending on the installation type, like the Turn Signals.
• Built-In Resistors: The above bulbs feature built in resisters for the turn signal bulbs. Without a resistor, your car may think a bulb is burned out and blink too fast.
• Use Plastic Trim Tools: To avoid damaging interior panels or scratching lenses when accessing bulbs.
• Bulbs are HOT – Turn off the lights for a while to let them cool before removing the old bulbs.

How to Replace Interior LEDs

How to Replace Exterior LEDs

The bulbs linked above should work on all trim levels (LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum) of the 2020 or newer 4th Gen Toyota Highlander. 2020 Toyota Highlander, 2021 Toyota Highlander, 2022 Toyota Highlander, 2023 Toyota Highlander and 2024 Toyota Highlander in all configurations: standard V6, hybrid, FWD and AWD / all-wheel-drive. It’s important to note that while higher trims offer more advanced lighting features, certain bulbs like the front and rear turn signals are still incandescent across all trims. Therefore, if you’re considering upgrading to LED bulbs for improved brightness and longevity, you should be safe with the above links but if you are looking at replacing other bulbs, it’s advisable to check the specific bulb types in your vehicle, as they may vary depending on the trim level.