2010 Subaru Forester Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 262 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 241miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Subaru Forester, 1% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 241 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and the rear tail lights fog up constantly. I have only had the vehicle 3 weeks and less than one hundred miles. The vehicle has been back twice since I purchased it, only because of work otherwise it would have been back every day. On the last visit the service manager said there was a service bulletin issued on 12/17/2007 due to a design change the head lens and tail lens fog up and will not be covered under warranty ,and won't be fixed. The bulletin does not mention year 2010.”
NHTSA complaint #10295550, filed 2009-12, 241 miles“Self canceling turn signals do not cancel when making a partial left or right turn. Self canceling signals do cancel properly when making a full turn. Subaru technicians report indicates turn signals are canceling as designed and no additional adjustments can be made.”
NHTSA complaint #10466558, filed 2012-07, 12,647 miles“The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. While driving with the headlights activated, the lights would not project bright enough to the see the road ahead. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the head lamps were realigned and the light bulbs were changed, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50.”
NHTSA complaint #10948394, filed 2017-01, 50 milesRelated recalls
- 12V602000Dec 26, 2012Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2012, Tribeca 2006–2011, Outback 2010–2011 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
- 10130273Jan 26, 2018This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Forester
76 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsEngine
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology