RoadVitals

2010 Subaru Legacy Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Dec 8, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 150 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Subaru Legacy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 8, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11703856
Incident
Dec 6, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11186517
Incident
Mar 13, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11083559
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 16, 2017

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!

NHTSA ID
10978719
Incident
Apr 4, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 20, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10946811
Incident
Jan 20, 2017
Mileage
89,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 30, 2016

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 ?

NHTSA ID
10920104
Incident
Oct 26, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 27, 2016

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!!

NHTSA ID
10909930
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
46,765 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 2, 2013

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522799
Incident
May 1, 2010
Mileage
12,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 9, 2010

THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY SUBARU LEGACY DO NOT ILLUMINATE HIGH AND FAR ENOUGH IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SERVICE MGR SAID HE WOULD PUT HI-INTENSITY BULBS IN. HE WAS OVERRULED AND THEY INSTALLED FOG LIGHTS THAT DID NOT IMPROVE RANGE OF LIGHTS. FACTORY PEOPLE SAID THE LITES ONLY ADJUST RIGHT/LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10318110
Incident
Dec 10, 2009
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 20, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10300439
Incident
Jan 20, 2010
Mileage
25 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .