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Subaru Legacy Lighting problems by year

87 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Legacy's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20242100
20201000
20182000
20171000
20153000
20145000
20131000
20123000
201118001
201011001
20092000
20083000
20071000
20061000
200514000
20031000
20001000
19992000
19981000
19974001
19962000
19953000
19932000
19921000
19911110
19901000

Lighting recalls

Latest Legacy lighting complaints

2010 Subaru LegacyLights

This is my car, no problem. The problem are these other vehicles with these high beam looking lights. I believe it's LED lights, they are too bright! On a dark one lane road the road in front of me dissappears. I have to completely halt and wait for the vehicle with these lights to pass to see the road. Please regulate these lights to avoid any more accidents due to these lights.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11774359
2024 Subaru LegacyLightsCrash

Headlights are horrible Not effective during rain, did not see a tree in road in time. Had a collision 5k in damages.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11761710
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLights

The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to pay and it's become a safety hazard, ect.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11745102
2010 Subaru LegacyLights

Notice significant rust or corrosion on my 2010 Subaru Legacy, especially on the subframe. Had it professional inspected and confirmed on December 6, 2025 because it was making a squeaky noise when I applied the brakes. I purchased this vehicle 02/15/20 used, was not told about corrosion. Bought vehicle at Maxon Buick GMC in Union, New Jersey. Also,my headlight bulbs keeps going out every year since I purchased my Legacy.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11703856
2018 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLightsFire

The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I haves a few other issues I believe relate to the wiring inside the vehicle and due to the wiring, which caused the fire. I have tried to contact Subaru of America and let them know this and have had no luck with any type of help with other repairs.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11687253
2013 Subaru LegacyLights

I am the original owner since purchased new on the dealer lot in 2013. Within the first year, the drivers side headlight prematurely burned out (low beam). I have had to replace four bulbs (so far) since owning vehicle. The first two incidents I payed over $100 to have the bulb changed/replaced by a local mechanic. Since then, I have figured out how to replace the bulbs myself; but unfortunately the remedy is to remove the front driver's tire, remove inner plastic wheel well, and finagle and twist my arm to do...

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this procedure (not easy!). Two main issues: Subaru needs to recall and fix the issue that is prematurely burning out this bulb, and 2; bring back the ability to (engineering design) that allows the owner of the vehicle to replace this bulb from the engine bay - NOT going through a procedure that involves a lengthy and expensive repair.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11670796
2024 Subaru LegacyLights

Frequently, while driving in the dark, oncoming traffic flashes their bright lights at me because they believe my brights are on. I flash them back to show them they are not on. I informed my local Subaru dealership on two separate occasions about the problem, and both times I was told there is nothing that can be done, that the lights are not adjustable and the bulbs are not too bright from the factory. I continue to have issues every time I drive the vehicle, most of my driving is in the dark. This morning,...

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another driver behaved in a manner that made me fear for my safety. I was following a line of cars, and the vehicle in front of me pulled over to the side of the road and then pulled back on the road directly behind me. The driver continually flashed his brights at me, I'm guessing they were irritated because they believed my brights were on when I was following them. This continued for about 5 minutes. I almost called 911 because I feared for my safety and the mental stability of the driver behind me. Eventually the driver turned off the roadway and took another route than I was taking and the situation ended. I now fear for the safety of myself and other drivers, because my lights are too bright and the Subaru dealership will do nothing to remedy the safety issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at the local Subaru dealership on 12/19/2023. The dealership claimed they were able to adjust the headlights and that they are properly adjusted to specs. However, there is not a noticeable difference, nor does any other vehicles on the road.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11560450
2017 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLightsBrakes

The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee danger as car would freely roll and no way to stop except to hold brake with foot pressed. Ultimately car was chocked...

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and jumped by AAA tow truck. Technician said battery was dead but alternator was working when he started it up. After 3 days of diagnostics, Subaru dealer cannot find a fault which let the new auto battery simply drain to nothing state and thus make the car non-responsive. Thank the good Lord this did not happen after turning on to the interstate.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 11527627
2011 Subaru LegacyLights

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11501043
2015 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLights

I have a 2015 subaru legacy 2.5i engine. The problem i have is a blown fuse in the main compartment F26 (backup). I have read subaru forum(s) and in earlier years this is same issue that I current have in my car. In the older models this was recalled and the issue was reworked at subaru repair centers at their cost. This issue also said it could cause a over heating and possible cause a fire. Please look into this issue. Kind Regards, Doug Whittemore 57 lexington ave. haverhill, MA 01835

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11419586
2012 Subaru LegacyLights

Keep having to replace low beam light bulb every few weeks. Unsafe for my teenage driver to not have the correct lighting to see the road.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11415120
2011 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLightsEngine & cooling

Was warned by other drivers that my tail lights were out several times. Clock and saved radio stations went out and now brought the car in for yearly inspection and major oil leak from gasket. 16,000 Miles on this car. Never have I had so many problems.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11399636
2003 Subaru LegacyElectrical systemLightsFuel system

The electrical in my car sometimes works and sometimes not while driving the lights for notification of brake or ans go off and on. My headlights will occasionally blink too.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11388808
2020 Subaru LegacyLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving at night, she had been notified by other drivers that her headlights were too bright and distracting. The contact stated that one day while her husband was driving at approximately 65 mph, another vehicle had attempted to pass the vehicle. Upon passing their vehicle, the other driver assumed that her husband was trying to antagonize him by flashing his high beams; however, the contact had the headlights set at the normal level. The...

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other driver became enraged and attempted on numerous occasions to run their vehicle off of the road. The contact was unable to get the contact's license plate and the police were called for assistance. A police report was not filed. The contact had spoken to subaru pacific(14700 hindry ave, hawthorne, ca 90250) and informed that they were unable to switch out the original headlights; they offered no further assistance. A mileage was not available.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11343539
2014 Subaru LegacyLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru legacy. The contact stated while driving at approximately 58 mph the driver side headlamp became inoperable. The contact also stated that the fog lamps were also inoperable. The headlamp bulbs and fog lamp bulbs were replaced however, the failure recurred. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11310425

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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