2010 Subaru Legacy: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Lights · TX

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 Dec 8, 2025 · Lights · NJ

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 Mar 13, 2019 · Lights · CA

Over the past 9.5 years that I've owned the car, I've had to replace the headlight bulbs on both sides at least 5 times in each side. I've talked to subaru about this and they cannot give me a definite answer/solution to problem. They did extend warranty to 10 years regarding this so they know something is going on but do not disclose to customers. I'm just trying to figure out a permanent solution

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · CT

On night of november 8, 2018 vehicle was on the highway going approximately 55 miles per hour when the vehicle suddenly shut down and was unable to restart. Vehicle towed to subaru service center who advised "no oil shown on dipstick, drained oil found only about 1/2 quart in engine, oil was contaminated with chunks of metal, added oil and started engine, verified engine had a broken connecting rod and only running on 3 cylinders. Vehicle has 115,437 miles on it, oil change stick shows due at 114,109, 1,328 over due for oil change. Right front headlight assembly has water intrusion. Recommend replace engine". The last time the oil was changed was on august 22, 2018 at a subaru service center where the vehicle was maintained on a regular basis. It is evident that the oil burned off due to the same issues in other subaru legacy vehicles therefore causing the broken connecting rod. The federal safety agency id #10133527 (power train); the federal safety agency id# 10140479 (oil seepage); the federal safety agency id#10037247 (oil seepage on turbo house joints); the federal safety agency id#10140477 (torque converter); subaru technical bulletins: tsb 16-90-13r, tsb 16-103-16r, tsb 16 102-16 and tsb 16-104-17. Owner never received notifications of extensions of warranty on transmission/power train and subaru service dealer never advised owner during any of the maintenance appointments that there was an issue with oil leaks and transmission issues. Owner was left in danger on a dark highway just outside of a tunnel, with no lights, no battery power and state troopers had to be called to protect them until the tow truck arrived. This could have been a tragic event. Will compile all maintenance documents and provide upon request. Thank you.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Lights · 30,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru legacy. While operating the vehicle, the head lamps would not illuminate properly due to a defective headlight assembly. The contact indicated that the tabs on both headlight assemblies were fractured, which caused the light bulbs to become unsecured and move while the vehicle was in motion and making turns in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (cascade subaru, 4149 state rd cuyahoga falls, oh 44223) where it was diagnosed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the headlights would not function properly, causing a visibility hazard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 16, 2017 · Lights · CA

The low beams and driving bulbs on my vehicle with less than 54,000 miles keep needing to be replaced. There is no easy access to perform these costly safety repairs , due to the engineering and placement of the headlight assembly(ies). The most recent occurrence was on 04/04/2017 past repairs (4) were done by self and body shops due to access through the wheel well cowling only, today I have a low beam and driving light out on each side of the vehicle! No lights - no safety!

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Lights · 89,000 miles · MA

I have a 2010 subaru legacy 3.6r I bought almost 4 years ago. In the time that I have owned it I have replaced 7 headlight bulbs and have to do it again because one just blew out. It is not one specific side, its either or both. Why is this happening? Is there a recall on the assembly? I know the bulbs are the right style for the car and I rip the whole front end apart to do it because of the style of the car.

Filed Oct 30, 2016 · Lights · 55,000 miles · PA

This is the fourth time that my right headlight (low beam ) has burnt out on this car. I see where subaru has recalled other models for headlight problems. Why not this model ?

Filed Sep 27, 2016 · Lights · 46,765 miles · VA

We purchased this vehicle used, one owner, in may 2013. We have constantly had to replace headlight and mini bulbs. We have not purchased subaru bulbs and did not have dealer to install. Dealer is 2 hrs away and would be too expensive. I do not believe the problem is with the bulbs but is something wrong with this model car. They are very difficult to get to and to replace as my husband and I replace them each time. On november 27, 2013, one headlight went out and then before we replaced it on december 13, 2013 the other headlight went out. I had to drive home (about one hour) in the dark and thank god I was not involved in an accident. But this is very dangerous and it happens all the time. We just don't know when or if both will be out at the same time. Purchased 5/25/13, 11/27/13 headlight out, 12/13/13 headlight out, 3/12/14 mini bulbs replaced, 7/1/14 headlight out, 10/21/14 headlight out, 1/6/16 mini bulbs replaced, 5/5/16 headlight out, 5/101/6 mini bulbs out. This was all the receipts I could find, could have been more. This very annoying due to the difficulty in reaching the area to replace the bulbs. Please have subaru to find the cause and fix this before there is a major accident or injury to someone. Thanks!!

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Lights · 12,000 miles · MD

I have had to replace my low beam headlight bulbs fours times (on each side) in three years. I've had the dealer do it twice, and I've done it twice. The dealer made me pay because bulbs are not covered under warranty. Changing the low beam bulbs on this vehicle requires removal of the tire, and the wheel well liner - it take at least an hour, and is extremely cumbersome. The dealer charged me $150 for each incident. I cannot afford to keep changing these bulbs. Something has to be wrong with the headlight unit.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Suspension, Transmission · 1,000 miles · OR

We purchased the car new, december, 2009. Dealer is over an hour drive from home in another state. Car is pampered and kept in garage when not being used. Just in a couple months developed a pronounced thump in the rear under the car. Intermittent, and there is a feel of the car vibrating or shimmying, if very slightly at the same time. We back out of driveway into street turning wheel to left, straighten, drive forward 80 feet to the stop sign. Accelerate and turn to the right, there is a thump from under the rear of the car. Next stop to the right it doesn't do it. Only at the next turn to the left does it make the same thump. We took everything possible that might roll, out of the car, and it still does it. Cannot seem to duplicate at the dealer. The first service we expressed concern, they looked at it and said they tightened a bushing. They have had the car 4 times since for other issues of rattles and noises, a couple recalls for defective hose and wiring and recently blue-tooth failure which we are still going around with them. They replaced sound deadening in the doors because it harmoniously vibrated at the pitch of scraping finger nails on the chalkboard, and give me the deer in the headlight look when I mention the first service and the term, bushing. When I take coworkers out to lunch, they say, what was that noise (thump), so I know I'm not imagining it. My concern is that something in the suspension is shifting back and forth, side to side, and something is going to fail, causing loss of control or death. Makes me afraid to drive car. 14 months of ownership and we only have 8,650 miles on the car, so it's not like we abuse it.

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Lights · 25 miles · CA

I bought a 2010 subaru legacy and believe that the headlights used on this care do not meet the u.s. Sae headlamp standards, but instead meat the european ece standards. My car has a distinct horizontal cut off line across the entire horizon which is the main characteristic of the ece standard. Subaru told me that they have had other complaints about their headlamps.