Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% | 0 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% | 76,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 39,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I find that the headlights on my 2025 Subaru Forester pose a safety concern. When on dims there is a distinct black line above which you have no light and cannot see. There is also some black shadows in the line of sight that bounce up and down as the car moves causing a major distraction. I complained to the dealer who said there wasn't much they could do, however they adjusted the lights on August 26, 2025. There is little improvement and now I get flashed on the dim setting all of the time. I called Subaru and registered a complaint on October 3, 2025. Subaru contacted me on October 13, 2025 and took down my information and said they would check further into the problem. They said they wanted to do some research and contact the dealer to see what can be done. They are supposed to call me back on October 20, 2025. I also have read hundreds of complaints the same as mine online. …
Significant issues with adaptive headlights having a large shadow in middle of beam as well as two smaller dark shadows at end of beam that are very distracting. It also dims very low at times severely reducing my visibility especially at different grades of the road. The headlights were so bad from the first week I tried to get the sales manager at Ciocca Subaru in Allentown to take this car back and to return my old car with no luck. I fear for safety driving this forester and I see it is a common complaint online for the 2025. Oncoming cars it shrinks the headlights significantly impairing my visibility for my side of road especially since in Pennsylvania we have a significant amount of deer that get hit and need clear visibility ahead of us. …
Factory installed headlights are dangerous as the low beam has a black line approximately halfway in the field of vision. Subaru states this is to keep from blinding oncoming vehicles. Driving in town not too bad, however in rural mountain areas with winding roads the headlights do not provide necessary lighting causing driving to be extremely dangerous. Low beams should not blind oncoming traffic. Dealer states these "projection" headlights cannot be replaced with traditional headlights. Complaint filed with Subaru who inform they can't take any action; however state in voice mail that "although not recommended" after market headlights could be installed when available. Dealer has previously informed that installation of standard headlights may void warranty. Mechanics consulted recommend driving with high beams, oncoming traffic will see why when low beams activated. …
No incident yet. Have LED projection lights which are supposed to prevent glare to oncoming drivers. Live in rural area where there is little lighting. Even on dim, lights apparently are too bright & other drivers flash their brights as if I have them on bright. Don't understand how this helps safety. The projection prevents me from seeing the top 2/3 of screen at night the dark cut off line allows me to see very little in front of me. I will try to upload photos. Have almost hit deer. Have to put on bright for visibility, but can't do this in traffic, obviously, because I don't want to blind them. Have been to Subaru in Kennesaw twice. All they say is they are reset to factory setting which is safest. I have let my insurance agent know this, in case there is an accident where this causes a collision or even road rage incidents where my dim lights are blinding other drivers. …
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at night with the low beam headlights activated, the illumination was extremely poor causing a visibility failure. The contact indicated there were dark spots and shadowy lines present on the windshield within the driver's field of view, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, the contact indicated that the headlights failed to illuminate the roadway adequately for safe nighttime driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10.
Three issues with the headlights. First, major shadowing. From the bumper to 6 feet out there is a dark spot. Second issue. Vehicle is two weeks old. We drive twisty windy roads. Headlights are almost a foot and a half low at 25ft. You can not see more than 50 feet on roads that are hilly due to the headlights being low and the auto level not correcting fast enough. I do not understand at all how this is ok from Subaru or federal agencies. Multiple times we had to slow down due to not being able to see or the headlights being so slow to adjust. Maybe raising them would help but why is this not being checked before deliver. Last issue, the high beams are literally no brighter than the low beams. My wife works nights. She drives home in the dark and in to work in the dark during half the year. This vehicle is horrible for night driving. I have never seen headlights so bad. …
Since I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2020, people regularly flash their high beams at me at night when my low beams are on, because they think I have my high beams on. I also flash my high beams at cars when I think they have their high beams on then they do the same, to show me they have their low beams on. It needs to be illegal for manufacturers of cars and/or headlights to manufacture low beams with these dangerous settings. I didn't know I could file a complaint with this department until a week ago otherwise I would have done it in 2020
LED adaptive headlights blind oncoming drivers. I have many drivers flashing their high beams at me when driving on low beam setting with fog lights off. New cars with LED headlights unless on flat roads cause temporary blindness in people with sensitive eyes during hours of darkness. Anytime these vehicles are on a grade, the beam and color of the light is very intense. When these lights are not adjusted correctly, say after someone alters a vehicle (lift, lower,etc) they are absolutely blinding. I know there are many studies that show the whiter/blue color on the spectrum, that human eyes are not meant to adapt. Example, blue lcd displays on appliances are more difficult to see than red or green. Yes the lights on my wife's Subaru makes it easier to see for us, however it is bad for everyone else. …
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Exterior lighting
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (15), 2014 (10), 2022 (8), 2025 (8) and 2001 (6) model years. Headlight complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-149 (switch, Feb 28, 2019); 12V-602 (exterior lighting, Dec 26, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 62% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (7 mentions), followed by the brake lights › switch (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.