Why Honda Has Been Phasing Out Front Fog Lights

Honda has reduced or eliminated front fog lights on many recent models because modern LED headlights provide wider, lower, and more uniform illumination that makes separate fog lamps largely redundant; dropping them also cuts cost and complexity, frees bumper space for aero and sensors, and aligns with safety and regulatory priorities. In practice, you’ll see fewer fog lights on new Civics, Accords, CR‑Vs and HR‑Vs in North America, while select light-truck and minivan trims may still offer them; the shift reflects broader industry trends rather than a single policy change.

What Fog Lights Do—and Why They’re Less Critical Now

Front fog lights are low-mounted, wide-beam lamps designed to illuminate the road immediately ahead in fog, snow, or dust without reflecting too much light back into the driver’s eyes. In the halogen era, they could meaningfully supplement narrow, higher-mounted headlamps. With today’s compact projectors, full-LED arrays, and better low-beam patterns, the functional gap has narrowed considerably.

The Main Reasons Behind Honda’s Move

The following points summarize the technical, economic, and regulatory factors that have driven Honda—and many other automakers—to scale back fog lights on new vehicles.

• Headlight performance leap: Current LED low beams typically deliver a broader, more consistent spread with sharp cutoffs, reducing glare and covering the near-field area that fog lights once addressed.
• Safety testing incentives: IIHS headlight ratings emphasize low- and high-beam performance and glare control; investing in better headlamps improves scores more than adding fog lights.
• Packaging and aerodynamics: Lower bumper real estate is increasingly needed for air curtains, active grille shutters, intercoolers, and ADAS radar covers; deleting fog housings can improve drag and cooling.
• Cost and complexity: Fewer parts, harnesses, switches, and trim variations simplify manufacturing, help manage supply chains, and support competitive pricing.
• Low usage rates: Automakers’ customer data shows many drivers rarely use fog lamps or use them as styling lights, making them a lower-value feature to keep standard.
• Regulatory landscape: Front fog lights are optional under U.S. FMVSS 108; improving base headlights satisfies compliance without the added lamps. (Rear fog lamps are a different, regional requirement not tied to front fogs.)
• Room for sensors and future tech: As Honda Sensing expands and adaptive lighting evolves, freeing the bumper from auxiliary lamps gives more flexibility for sensors and potential lighting modules.

Taken together, these dynamics make better headlamps plus cleaner bumper designs a higher-return strategy than maintaining dedicated fog lights across the lineup.

What You’ll See on Recent Honda Models

Honda hasn’t “banned” fog lights outright, but many mainstream cars and crossovers shed them during recent redesigns, while some light trucks and top trims still include LED fogs depending on market and configuration.

• Cars and crossovers: Recent generations of the Civic, Accord, CR‑V, and HR‑V in North America generally omit front fog lamps, relying on upgraded LED headlights.
• Light trucks and minivans: Select trims of models such as the Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey may continue to offer LED fog lights, often on off-road-oriented or premium variants.
• Regional variation: Availability can differ by country due to styling packages and local regulations; check your market’s spec sheets and trim guides.

The pattern reflects targeted feature placement rather than a universal removal, with fog lights appearing where they add perceived value or fit the design brief.

Are Fog Lights Still Useful?

Yes—under the right conditions. In dense fog, heavy snow, or dust, a low-mounted, wide, cut-off beam (often amber) can reduce backscatter and improve near-field visibility at low speeds. But for most daily driving, a well-engineered LED low beam delivers comparable or better real-world visibility without the added glare or complexity.

Pros and Cons for Drivers

Here is how the change may affect owners and shoppers weighing trims and features.

• Pros: Simpler front-end design, fewer components to maintain, better headlight performance out of the box, potential aerodynamic and efficiency gains.
• Cons: Less specialized lighting in extreme fog/snow for drivers who rely on low-speed, near-field illumination; fewer factory options for enthusiasts who prefer the look of fog lamps.
• Neutral: Aftermarket kits exist, but quality varies; improper installs can create glare, violate local lighting laws, or interfere with ADAS sensors.

For most drivers, the improved baseline headlights offset the loss; those in consistently poor-visibility regions may still want dedicated fogs or high-quality auxiliary lighting.

Regulatory and Technology Context

In the U.S., NHTSA’s FMVSS 108 does not require front fog lamps, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluates headlamp performance but not fog lights. In 2022, NHTSA finalized rules permitting adaptive driving beams, encouraging further headlight innovation; as these systems proliferate, the case for separate fog lamps diminishes further. Meanwhile, pedestrian-impact design, aero targets, and cooling requirements all compete for bumper space once occupied by fog housings.

What If You Want Fog Lights Anyway?

Drivers in fog-prone areas can still prioritize trims that include factory fogs or consider carefully engineered auxiliary solutions.

• Check factory options: Some trims still offer LED fog lights; factory integration ensures proper aim, durability, and compliance.
• Choose quality aftermarket kits: Look for road-legal, SAE/DOT-compliant lamps with sharp cutoffs and vehicle-specific brackets; avoid high-glare “pods.”
• Mind the sensors: Ensure added lights don’t obstruct radar, cameras, or air curtains; verify current draw and CAN-bus behavior to avoid error codes.
• Aim and color temperature: Proper aiming is critical; selective yellow (around 3000K) can reduce backscatter in fog versus cool white.

Thoughtful selection and professional installation can restore the benefits of fog lighting without compromising safety or vehicle systems.

Bottom Line

Honda’s retreat from front fog lights stems from better headlight technology, packaging and aero priorities, safety test incentives, and cost/complexity trade-offs. The feature hasn’t disappeared entirely, but it’s now reserved for trims or models where it adds clear value. For most buyers, today’s LED headlamps meet or exceed the practical visibility once provided by fog lights; those who regularly drive in severe fog or snow still have viable factory or aftermarket options.

Summary

Honda reduced fog lights on many new models because modern LED headlights make them largely redundant, while removing them improves design efficiency, supports safety priorities, and reduces cost. Availability now varies by model and trim, with some light trucks and minivans retaining LED fogs. Most drivers won’t miss them, but specialized conditions still justify dedicated fog illumination for those who need it.

Why are fog lights illegal?

Fog lights are not illegal, but it is against the law to use them when they are not needed because the bright, downward-angled beams can dazzle other drivers and can even obscure a vehicle’s brake lights, leading to penalties such as fines. Fog lights should only be used in seriously reduced visibility conditions, such as dense fog, heavy rain, smoke, or dust, and must be switched off as soon as visibility improves. 
Reasons for incorrect fog light use being illegal

• Dazzling other drivers: . Opens in new tabThe primary purpose of fog lights is to illuminate the ground in front of the vehicle, so they are not intended to provide general visibility like headlights. When used in clear conditions, their bright, angled beams can be distracting and blinding to oncoming traffic and other road users. 
• Obscuring brake lights: . Opens in new tabThe rear fog light is exceptionally bright. If left on when visibility is good, it can become confused with the vehicle’s brake lights or completely mask them, making it difficult for following vehicles to know when the car is slowing down or stopping. 

When to use fog lights

• Seriously reduced visibility: . Opens in new tabYou should only use front or rear fog lights when your vision is seriously impaired by conditions like dense fog, heavy rain, smoke, or dust. 
• Not in place of headlights: . Opens in new tabFog lights are supplemental lights, so they should always be used in conjunction with your regular headlights, not instead of them. 

Penalties for incorrect use

• Fines: . Opens in new tabFines can be issued by police if you are caught using your fog lights at the wrong time or in conditions where they are not necessary. 
• Switch off when visibility improves: . Opens in new tabThe rules are clear that you must switch them off once visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers. 

Does the 2025 Honda Civic have fog lights?

And the fog lights uh fog lights have been eliminated of course and there is less cladding. And it actually looks a lot cleaner. In my personal opinion a lot cleaner of a look. So I actually like it.

Why are fog lights going away?

Fog lights are disappearing from new vehicles because advanced, integrated headlight systems like LEDs and adaptive driving beams provide sufficient visibility without dedicated fog lights. Additionally, fog lights are not federally mandated in the U.S., allowing automakers to reduce production costs and provide more design flexibility by eliminating them. 
Reasons for the shift

• Improved headlight technology: Modern LEDs and adaptive driving beams offer superior brightness, shorter wavelengths, and a wider pattern, giving drivers enough visibility in poor weather conditions without needing extra fog lights. 
• No federal mandate: In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not require fog lights, meaning automakers are not obligated to include them. 
• Cost savings: Eliminating fog lights reduces manufacturing costs, as each component adds to the overall production cost. 
• Design and aerodynamic advantages: By removing fog lights, engineers gain more space for other features, such as air curtains, which can improve aerodynamics and vehicle performance. 
• Integration with other systems: New vehicles are incorporating features like infrared night-vision systems and radar, which “see” through fog, snow, and darkness, making traditional fog lights less necessary. 

What it means for drivers

• More vehicles will lack dedicated fog lights: . Opens in new tabMany new models are already being released without this feature, and the trend is likely to continue. 
• Aftermarket options are still available: . Opens in new tabDrivers who still want fog lights can purchase and install aftermarket fog light kits on their vehicles. 
• Focus on proper light use: . Opens in new tabIn some areas, like the U.K., a rear fog light is mandated, and drivers must use them correctly to avoid creating a “wall of light”. 

Why doesn’t the Honda CRV have fog lights?

You’ll find a silver finish. And matte black with your lower grill. In Louisiana. We don’t need this. So I would just take that right off of there because we don’t have a front license plate.