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Subaru WRX Lighting problems by year

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

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20210001
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20190001
20181001
20174001
20162001
20155001
20140001
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20120001
20110001
20100001
20090001
20080001
20060001
20050001
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20020001

Lighting recalls

Latest WRX lighting complaints

2020 Subaru WRXTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemLights

-Flickering head lights -Driver window loose -Windshield wipers did not work on the passenger side (I don't know how it passed inspection) -When shifted into 4th gear the stick was making odd movements and jumping -Mechanical noises like cranking coming from the engine or under the car

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11773142
2017 Subaru WRXLights

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that while reversing, the backup lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that he had to pay the labor cost to have the recall repair performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11619054
2018 Subaru WRXLights

Headlight deflector burning/melting.not properly deflecting light to properly lighting up the road .they acknowledged the problem but said they would have replaced them if I brought it in before 3 years or 36,000 miles .no not inspected .no indication of symptoms prior to failure.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11513266
2017 Subaru WRXElectrical systemLights

Reverse lights won't go on, and rear camera won't turn on in reverse. While in reverse it says I'm in first.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11511429
2017 Subaru WRXLights

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera and the back-up lights failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the reverse light switch and camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11506925
2017 Subaru WRXLights

The contact owns 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera intermittently failed to operate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer then confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated...

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that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to confirm when the parts would become available. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11487109
2016 Subaru WRXLights

While driving in below zero temperatures I received a warning "Headlights Disabled" and my headlights were inoperable. I was able to use the high beams otherwise, complete darkness causing an immanent safety concern and potential for financial loss in terms of legality and ticketing. The failure remained in effect for approximately 10 minutes and then the warning disappeared and the light regained full operation. Upon googling, this is a common issue with other owners. Please note, I am in Canada and have provided a state/zip code of the nearest US location. Sorry if not allowed :)

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11446318
2016 Subaru WRXLights

Out of nowhere, the information screen in the center of the dash displayed "headlights disabled" the headlights turned offi flicked the switch on and off and it came back on and then only one of the headlights were on and the other was off and wouldn't come back on. One hour later turned the car back on and the headlights were ok

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11102221
2015 Subaru WRXLights

Drivers side headlight is randomly disabled. Like the majority of others having this issue, my car has been in a colder climate (minnesota) when this started occurring. There is no way of turning it back on. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10944404
2015 Subaru WRXLights

Headlights disabled warning present on car and headlights don't work. Warning has been on for two days for no apparent cause. Car was parked outside for two days prior to warning coming on in 75 degree weather. During the time that it was parked there was a lot of heavy rain. Fortunately the time change has happened and I am not driving to work in the dark. I have not seen any reason for this issue so will be taking to dealer asap.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10787894
2015 Subaru WRXElectrical systemLights

Driving on the freeway at night, a light came on my dash that displayed, "headlights disabled." The headlights were still functioning, so I ignored the message. Few hours later, the light flickered on and off repeatedly for ~15 seconds and then went away. The next day, driving at night on the freeway, the light came back on and both headlights turned off. I cautiously pulled over, and set my emergency lights on. I flicked the headlight switch on and off repeatedly and they came back on. Drove for another 10 mins...

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and the driver side headlight turned off, and the passenger headlight stayed on. I made it home safely, but the light never came back on. The next day, the message is still displayed, but both headlights are functioning. I feel it very unsafe for me to drive my vehicle at night, which is a huge inconvenience, as the headlights may turn off again. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10705237
2015 Subaru WRXLights

Three separate occurrences of the led headlight malfunction light coming on, totally disabling headlights, daytime running lights, and blinkers. This is a huge safety concern as I primarily drive to work at night and headlights are obviously needed. This problem occurs in cold weather, the last occurrence at -6f. Steps to replicate issue: 1) warm car up about 5 minutes. 2) Drive to destination. Turn car off and let it sit 5-10 minutes. 3) Start car back up and the led warning light appears. When this light comes...

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on, you cannot turn on the lights with auto, or manual. The last occurrence happened during the day fortunately, but the headlights were in the off position. This has been taken to a dealer, but there was nothing they could do since the light was off even thought I had stressed to them this was a safety concern that needs to be looked at. .....Updated 12/15/15 *bf *tr updated 9/25/2017*cn

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10689890
2015 Subaru WRXLights

Headlights disabled. Started the car, "headlights disabled" message on dashboard. Headlights were non-functional. This was in very cold weather, approximately -10f. After about 2 hours the headlights started working again, message on dashboard went away. Dealer service could not duplicate this problem. If all the headlights had become disabled when driving at night, a major safety problem is created by this issue. Nothing should be able to suddenly disable all the vehicle headlights without warning. .....Updated 12/15/15 *bf

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10689384

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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