A breakaway headlamp mounting system is provided for a vehicle subjectable to an external force and having a body structure, a headlamp, and a hood. The breakaway headlamp mounting system has a mounting tab attached to the headlamp and attachable to the body structure and a mounting tab breakaway feature included in one of the hood, the body structure, and the mounting tab. The mounting tab breakaway feature is configured to break the mounting tab in response to the external force when the mounting tab is attached to the body structure.