2011 Subaru Legacy: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Lights · 150,000 miles · NJ

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 Aug 22, 2019 · Lights · 150,000 miles · IN

As other driver complains, my low beam head light bulbs (both sides) have been burned out every 6 to 10 months. Sometimes I needed to replace them in ice cold winter outside in the snow. Because mud guards need to be moved to replace bulbs, plastic fasteners also needed to be replaced every so often. This is quite ridiculous.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Lights · PA

I purchased a used 2011 subaru in 2014. The headlights seem to blow every 3 months at most. I replaced the passenger side headlight in november. The driver side then blew in december and now, it is february and my passenger side headlight is blown again! This is just insane and very annoying for a commuter that drives over an hour one way to work and then over an hour again home from work in the dark on back roads without lights.

Filed Dec 13, 2016 · Lights · 13,000 miles · PA

The headlight bulbs keep burning out. This is the low beam. I've had them replaced 13 times during our ownership. This has become exorbitantly expensive, what can I do?

Filed Aug 27, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 82,600 miles · PA

Frequent replacement of low beam bulbs. Not easy to replace and subaru service best equipped to do procedure. Labor costs at various dealers for this service widely vary and can increase without reason. Subaru of america recently sent out letter saying warranty on bulbs has been extended (not that there is issue with electrical system). Soa will replace or refund, however, this does not solve the issue of continued (perceived) deficiency in the lighting system overall and refund requirements are very stringent per the letter they sent. I consider this issue as a safety defect. We have both an outback and legacy that are both affected by this. Have owned legacy since new and replaced both bulbs four times since taking ownership. Have tried other brand bulbs to no better result (hence my belief it is electrical system). Per one of the service advisors I've spoken to in the past, the system is designed such that when one bulb burns out, more current flows to the one bulb still working and will burn it out prematurely (furthering my belief that it is a safety issue). They said this in recommending replacement of both bulbs at once. Would like to see recall or greater effort on soa's part.

Filed May 18, 2016 · Lights · NY

Within the past 2 years I have replaced my headlights 3-4 times. My right headlight is now out after replacing it less than 1year ago. I do not keep my lights on automatic as that is what subaru told me as to why I keep having to replace the lights. It is not only unsafe and costly, but extremely difficult to access the headlight on my own to change the bulb without paying for labor.

Filed May 5, 2016 · Electrical · 83,000 miles · CA

The front headlights have gone out 4 times in the 4 years since we bought the car new. Unusual. The fuse to the seat warmers has gone out, replaced and went out again. Dealer says replace heater module for $440.+. Sound like electrical issue to us. Also lost audio on steering wheel. Dealer confirmed need to replace audio switch $300.+ again, sounds like a problem with the electrical system. So far the only safety issue has been the front headlights, but I worry about something more serious as other posters have mentioned.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · MD

I have had to replace both low beam bulbs six times in a year. The vehicle only has 93,000 miles on it. There does not appear to be a triggering event and the bulbs go out, seemingly, at random - which can be very dangerous if it's dark outside.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Lights · 18,000 miles · MO

I have had to replace both low beam bulbs six times in the last 4 years. The vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it. The high beams have also been replaced twice each. There does not appear to be a triggering event and the bulbs go out, seemingly, at random - which can be very dangerous if it's dark outside.

Filed Mar 23, 2015 · Lights · 82,000 miles · OH

Replaced the low beams five times since 20,000 miles. The driver side four times and the passenger side once. Subaru replaced the driver side low beam when it still was covered under the warranty, around 35,000 miles.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Lights · 78,000 miles · NY

Low beam headlights have blow out 3 times in one year on both sides of the car.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 50,000 miles · NY

I have a 2011 subaru legacy le 3.6r, and the headlights keep burning out. I work an hour away from my home and had to drive most of the way without headlamps because the 2nd one blew on the way home. With only high beams and daytime runner lamps, it was very dangerous and scary. I've only had the car for 2 years and have had to replace the headlamps twice already. In researching the problem, it appears that the headlamps draw too much power from the wiring/electronic board that eventually overheats the headlamps causing them to burn out. It also appears to be a common problem with this model car. This is a serious problem and I would really appreciate subaru investigating it and handing their customers a solution!