7.5
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $200
- Average Mileage:
- 63,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 21 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (14 reports)
- replace bulbs (5 reports)
- new headlight housing (1 reports)
- replace the whole headlight assembly (1 reports)
I think I've ranted enough. I just want a fixed headlight now.
- Erica D., Lavalette, WV, US
I paid to replace the entire headlight system at the dealership after about the 5th time of replacing my headlights. Since then, they have gone out 2 more times and it hasn't even been 6 months. This replacement I paid for was "supposed" to fix it. I just had it fixed in October for the 2nd time - thankfully, it was covered under the replacement warranty within a year.
And then tonight I was just pulled over because it had gone out yet again. It's a pain in the butt (not to mention embarrassing) getting pulled over. I am getting sick of this crap.
- Erica D., Lavalette, WV, US
I have had a headlight problem with my 2011 Subaru Legacy ever since I bought the car. I have to replace them both about twice a year. This has been a pain in my ass. They have an extended warranty. I live in the mountains and the closest Subaru is an hour away. So I just replace them myself but it cost me a little over $100.00 a year. They should do something about this problem - it is bulls***.
Update from Apr 6, 2022: Well did not know that I could do this every time my problem happened. Well now I know. Well last month my driver side Low beam went out on my 2011 Subaru legacy 2.5 I. I replaced It. Then about a week Later my high beam when out on the Same side. This is bull and they should do something about this. The cost is killing me every time.
Update from Apr 6, 2022: If I new I could do a complaint ever time I would of. Now I know. Well last month My driver side Low beam went out So I had it fixed then the next week the high beam went out. I am so done with replacing the Bulbs every time.It gets to be costly. Some one should fix the problems and I would be happy.
- Lindsey J., Arnold, CA, US
So my cars headlights would probably burn out at least once a year which is quite a lot because I rarely drive at night. I tested the wires for the power output making sure they were not overpowering the lights and causing them to burn out. That was fine. I noticed condensation was building up in the lens and did some research on what could cause the bulbs to blow so i just purchased new housings and that seemed to work for a little while longer. I have not really had any bulb issues ever since.
- Shawn W., Columbia, US
Starting in 2013, my Subaru Legacy started burning through headlights. Every 6 months, one or both Headlights go out. Initially the dealer blamed me, but in 2016 Subaru fessed up and admitted that they have a real problem with this model and year. And as we all know these headlights are impossible to remove without taking off the front wheel or bumper. Reckless design, Subaru! However, the remedy is far from adequate. I can't recoup the 100's of dollars I spent before Subaru's (almost ) admission of a screw up. More importantly I can't recoup the HOURS wasted at the garage getting new lights installed so I could see where I was going when driving! The free headlight repair is a weak remedy. My life is still disrupted every 6 months. In fact, last fall, I had to rent a car so I could drive my partner to the emergency room since BOTH headlights went out me the day he had a pulmonary embolism. Seems owning this Legacy has life or death consequences.
I'm in the market for a new car now. Can Subaru reassure me that it's worth the risk of my money and time to buy another of their cars?
- Fred F., Andover, US
click to see larger images
Low beam headlights keep burning out (others too).
- Jared S., Palmer, US
This is horse sh*t. I have replace ALL my lights yet again, as they are blowing out in sequence, almost on command. I have gone to cheaper bulbs, because I do it so frequently. No other problems with car....
- brusty1, Marlinton, US
So, now I am pretty much replacing a headlight every 3 weeks. I keep them on hand because I know one or two will need to be replaced when I go to my personal mechanic for an oil change. I received a recall notice from Subaru offering to reimburse me for money I spent at my local Subaru dealership to have my light bulb replaced. Not a solution I need to be reading about, as my local dealer ship is 2 hours away. how about a recall?? and not the lame one you already have
- brusty1, Marlinton, US
My headlights burn out so much, they are so hard to get too. Therefore it cost right much to replace, not including the price of the bulbs. I think Subaru dealers should have to replace each time, especially when they don't last 6 months. They are also dangerous driving at night when one blows out. This is getting so frustrating. Other than this problem I love my Subaru. They are several 2011 Subaru legacies that has this problem so I think it is about time for someone to come up with a solution. Thanks please help!!
- Sandra C., Covington, VA, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Beware, that this is an involved repair; due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
This repair cost was higher than previous, due to the need to replace all the plastic fasteners on my driver side wheel well (these clips were not designed to be removed multiple times).
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Beware, that this is an involved repair; due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Beware, that this is an involved repair; due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
This repair cost was higher due to the need to purchase and replace new plastic fasteners for the passenger side inner well. Again not designed to be removed at this frequency.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Beware, that this is an involved repair; due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
This repair cost was abnormally high due to the plastic fasteners failing as I was driving down the road, allowing the inner fender to come in contact with the passenger side tire, and ripping the inner fender off.
Subaru, if you provide so little attention to design that a part needs to be serviced semiannually, can you not at least use metal screws to hold the parts that need to be removed to make that repair in place?
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Beware, that this is an involved repair; due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others, I am disappointed with the frequency of headlamp failures on my Legacy. Since purchase, have replaced 11 headlights. Be ware, that this is an involved repair, due to poor design, the wheel and inner fender need to be replaced to access the headlamp.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others on this forum and elsewhere, experiencing frequent headlamp failures. Site advises to list each instance, since there are 11 to date (since June 2011 purchase) looks like this will be an afternoon project. Worse than the issue is the high cost/hassle to replace these bulbs. Given the frequency and obvious lack of design attention provided I would rate this as a significant issue.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others on this forum and elsewhere, experiencing frequent headlamp failures. Site advises to list each instance, since there are 11 to date (since June 2011 purchase) looks like this will be an afternoon project. Worse than the issue is the high cost/hassle to replace these bulbs. Given the frequency and obvious lack of design attention provided I would rate this as a significant issue.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
Like others on this forum and elsewhere, experiencing frequent headlamp failures. Site advises to list each instance, since there are 11 to date (since June 2011 purchase) looks like this will be an afternoon project. Worse than the issue is the high cost/hassle to replace these bulbs. Given the frequency and obvious lack of design attention provided I would rate this as a significant issue.
- Ryan C., Ravenswood, WV, US
I was coming home the other night about dusk and was pulled over and giving a warning for my driver side headlight being out. Again, I replied, I just put bulbs in both headlights 6 months ago. The policeman stated it's a common problem with Subaru. Really??? I never had any issues with the Subaru cars I have had in the past! I can't keep replacing these bulbs having to tear down the front end of the car like that. I'll be going down the road some day and my bumper will fall off from having to take it off so often.
I have read online other Subaru drivers having problems with their headlights and when they changed the wire harness (that they said was scorched looking). The problem seemed to quit at least for the time being. This could eventually be a fire hazard if the wiring is getting hot enough to blow the bulbs. Subaru should look into this!
- elliswv, Jane Lew, WV, US
click to see larger images
Along with everybody else, I have replaced many low beam bulbs on my 2011 Subaru Legacy. By dealer at no cost. But I ran into a problem with low beam projector going bad. Dealer said it could not be fixed. Headlight housing had to be replaced. Dealer wanted $380.00 + labor to replace.
I'm not happy with Subaru.
- Dominic C., Wappingers Falls, NY, US