2010 Subaru Legacy Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 151 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,382miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Subaru Legacy, 7% of the 151 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,382 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 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 complaint #10946811, filed 2017-01, 89,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10300439, filed 2010-01, 25 miles“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 complaint #10920104, filed 2016-10, 55,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10909930, filed 2016-09, 46,765 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10522799, filed 2013-07, 12,000 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 Legacy 2010–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011, Forester 2009–2012 +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…
- 10182590Aug 12, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the original warranty on the low-beam ONLY halogen headlamp bulbs to 10 years / unlimited miles from the vehicle?s original warranty…
- 10111102Jul 29, 2016As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, SOA is announcing a Low-Beam Halogen Headlamp Bulb Warranty Enhancement program. This extends warranty coverage for 2010…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 12% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Legacy
50 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Subaru Legacy
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