2008 SUBARU LEGACY GT WITH MOISTURE/CONDENSATION BUILDUP IN HEADLIGHT. AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR 15K SERVICING AND WAS TOLD THAT CONDENSATION BUILDUP IS NORMAL DURING TRANSITIONAL SEASONS (SPRING/FALL). HOWEVER I PRESUME THAT THE MOISTURE IS CAUSING TEMPORARY DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS THE LIGHTS FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE LIGHTS ARE …
2008 subaru Legacy lighting problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
WE JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT HOME AND TOOK IT FOR A RIDE WE DISCOVERED THAT AT NIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN HILL YOU CAN'T SEE MORE THAN 20 FEET AHEAD OF THE CAR WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED FOR FEAR OF HITTING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE IF THE ROAD STAYED STRAIGHT OR TURNED. I FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THE LIGHTS MEET STATE SPECIFICATIONS HOW…
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2008 subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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