This 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 the inside of the lamp lenses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Subaru Legacy lighting problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 14 lighting complaints filed for the 2011 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This 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 to set and result in the related system?s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru 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 start date. This warranty extension will cover low-beam halogen headlamp bulb replacement on 2010, 2011 and a very limited number of early-production 2012MY Legacy and Outback models. Covered vehicles will have a production date prior to those listed in the Production Change Information provided below and meet the guidelines outlined later in this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As 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 - 2012 Legacy (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 8, 2011) and 2010 - 2012 Outback (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 22, 2011) vehicles sold or leased in the United States ("Affected Vehicles"). Please note that this is not a recall. If a vehicle is presented in which one or more low-beam halogen headlamp bulb(s) are not "burned out," no repair is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2011 Subaru Legacy consistently report low-beam headlights burning out far more often than normal. Multiple owners have replaced bulbs anywhere from three to thirteen times during ownership, with some failures occurring as frequently as every 3 to 10 months. The failures alternate between sides or strike both bulbs within months of each other, and they happen without warning—creating a real safety hazard for night driving on rural roads. One owner who commutes over an hour each way in darkness had to replace bulbs again and again despite using quality bulbs.
The design itself makes matters worse. Subaru crammed the bulbs in so tight that technicians must remove the wheel and inner wheel-well trim just to access them. Owners report plastic fasteners break during this process, adding repair costs. One owner eventually refused further replacement after four sets, unwilling to keep paying for labor-intensive service.
A separate cohort of 2015 Legacy owners report cloudy, horseshoe-shaped images appearing on the headlight lens when low beams activate—a reflection artifact that degrades beam quality and night visibility. Subaru dealers acknowledged this but offered no fix. One owner had the problem on a brand-new car with under 1,000 miles.
Manufacturers have denied warranty assistance on at least some of these complaints, and dealers have offered only a workaround (disabling automatic headlights), which owners rightly reject as unsafe.
Same Subaru Legacy lighting reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Premature low-beam headlight burnout
Low-beam bulbs fail repeatedly and prematurely across both sides of the vehicle, with owners reporting multiple replacements over short timeframes. The failure pattern alternates between sides or occurs simultaneously, with no apparent triggering event. Owners cite quality bulbs that fail regardless of type or brand.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; some failures as early as 10k miles, others at 150k miles; intervals ranging from 3 months to 12 months between failures
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam bulbs burn out and fail to illuminate; Failures occur without warning, making night driving hazardous; Pattern of alternating side-to-side burnout or both sides failing within months
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite extreme difficulty accessing bulbs due to design requiring wheel and inner wheel-well removal at dealers. Plastic mud guards and fasteners must be moved or replaced during service, adding labor cost. Several owners report bulb replacement costs as exorbitant; one owner replaced bulbs 13 times during ownership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer denied assistance on at least one complaint (150k miles). One dealer suggested disabling automatic headlights as a workaround, which owners rejected as unsafe.
Poor headlight beam quality and clouding
Owners report inadequate illumination and a visible horseshoe-shaped cloudy image appearing on the plastic headlight lens when low beams are active. The cloudiness reduces light output and beam distribution, making night driving more difficult. Condition appears to be a reflection artifact from the bulb within the lens assembly.
When: Observed on 2015 Legacy with less than 1,000 miles; limited timeframe reporting in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Horseshoe-shaped cloudy or hazy image visible on headlight lens when low beams on; Inferior beam projection and reduced viewing distance at night; Cloudiness disappears when lights are off
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service personnel acknowledged the condition but provided no information or corrective action. No response from customer service after inquiry.
Limited initial headlight illumination
At least one owner reported that external headlight illumination was limited from the start, with the failure occurring at very low mileage. The manufacturer and dealer were notified but refused assistance.
When: 10 miles (at or near delivery)
Symptoms owners cite: External headlight illumination limited from the start; Headlights failed to illuminate on startup
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Low beam headlights have blow out 3 times in one year on both sides of the car. *js
The headlight bulbs keep burning out. This is the low beam. I've had them replaced 13 times during our ownership. This has become exorbitantly expensive, what can I do?
Had lighting trouble with your 2011 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2011 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 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?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 18,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Subaru/Legacy.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.