2012 Subaru Legacy Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 3% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
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.
“Vehicle has an electrical failure that causes the dash check engine, brake, cruise and other lights to activate. While driving, the failure causes: one or both headlights to suddenly fail making the vehicle illegal and dangerous to drive at night, cruise control to suddenly fail, and stability control to become non-functional. The main failure being the headlights/daytime running lights could cause injury or death due to sudden lack of visibility at night. Subaru was unable to diagnose/fix the failure on 2 service occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10983522, filed 2017-05, 150,000 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred 3 times. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 65,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10548142, filed 2013-10, 65,000 milesRelated 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 | 10 | 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 2012 Subaru Legacy
34 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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