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9 Ways to deal with Subaru Impreza Headlight Problems

Subaru Impreza Headlight Problems

Picture this: you’re driving down a dark road late at night, trying to make your way home. Suddenly, your Subaru Impreza headlights start acting up – flickering, dimming, and just generally causing you grief. 

Not cool. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Headlight problems are a common issue for Impreza owners, and there are plenty of ways to fix them. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common headlight issues and give you some down-to-earth tips on how to troubleshoot and solve them.

common Subaru Impreza Headlight problems and their fixes

1) Low beams not working

What is it

The Subaru Impreza low beam not working problem refers to the malfunctioning of your car’s low beam lights. This results in low visibility during the night or low-light driving conditions. 

Red car headlight

Moreover, in this state, your low beam will be completely dead, meaning there will be no dimming or flickering in it!

What causes it

There could be many causes for these problems, like using a non-branded or faulty headlight bulb, faulty switch, or blown-up fuse. The problem with a faulty switch or fuse will prevent power from reaching the low beam, which will result in this issue.

How to fix

To fix this issue, First up, make sure your headlight bulbs are in good working order. If they seem to be fine and your low beams are still not working, check the fuse. Since your high beams are still working fine, you can try swapping the high and low beam relays to see if that makes a difference. 

While you’re at it, check the voltage in the 30 amp fuse (fuse 6) on both sides. If there’s the voltage on only one side with the fuse connected, it’s possible that the fuse is blown or the fuse block is faulty. To test the circuit from the relay forward, you can try jumping the relay. 

If the bulbs light up, this indicates that the circuit from the relay to the bulbs is working fine, and the issue is likely with the headlight switch or the body-integrated module or computer that controls it.

If you’ve tried all of these steps and you’re still having trouble, it might be time to visit a repair shop. They can retrieve any body control fault codes and diagnose the problem one at a time. If you suspect that the headlight switch is the issue, you can try replacing it for testing purposes.

For instance, you may also look at this low beam headlight fix in Subaru Impreza 2011.

2) Keyless Entry Security headlight problem

What is it

Another one of the unique Subaru Impreza headlight problems is the keyless entry security issue. In this issue, when you activate the keyless entry security system of your car, instead of the headlights blinking, the “security” word on the dashboard will start flashing.

Person holding a door remote

This problem can be pretty confusing for most of the owners who are accustomed to seeing their headlights blink when they activate the security system.

What causes it

The root cause of this issue is usually the poor quality of the antenna, remote malfunction, or faulty connections in the wiring. 

How to fix

To resolve this issue, first ensure that the remote is operational. If it isn’t, try changing its power cells, and if that doesn’t work, replace it with a new one. If the remote works properly, the issue could be with the antenna’s quality or that it is buried inside the car. In that case, you’ll need to repair or replace the antenna. 

Finally, if both are operational, double-check the wiring connections associated with the security system and the headlights to ensure they are not faulty.

3) Headlights dims as the vehicle slows down

What is it

This issue refers to the headlight becoming less and less bright or intense than it should be as the Subaru Impreza slows down. 

Car headlights shinning

Moreover, some owners also reported that the headlight became bright again and started to operate normally once the vehicle came to a complete stop.

What causes it

These Subaru Impreza headlight problems can be due to a variety of reasons, like a weak battery, a failing alternator, or even a faulty voltage regulator. Moreover, in some cases, it can also be a failing headlight switch or a damaged relay causing this issue.

How to fix it

To fix this type of problem, first, you have to make sure your battery is in good shape and doing its job. You can tell by looking at other electrical components, like the AC and windows. If they’re all working just fine, then you can rule out the battery.

Next up, you’ll wanna check the alternator and voltage regulator to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to. You can test these bad boys out with a multimeter. If they’re working fine, then the problem might be with the headlight switch or a busted relay.

You can use your trusty multimeter to check the relay. And if it turns out that any of these parts aren’t working the way they should, then you’ll wanna replace them with new ones.

4) High beam lights would not come on

What is it

Not only low beams, but some owners also reported that even their high-beam lights would not come on during driving. 

Blue car-Subaru Impreza Headlight Problems

This can come in forms like high beams not turning at all, turning on, and then quickly turning off or barely working.

What causes it

Factors like blown high beam fuse, faulty relay, and even problems with wiring can cause the high beam lights to shut off. Another common cause of this problem can be a burnt-out bulb or switch control of it.

How to fix it

To fix these types of Subaru Impreza headlight problems, you need to find the high beam fuse that is blown up. If all fuses are working, you may need to use a multimeter to check if the relay is working fine. 

If it’s working too, then it’s definitely the burnt-out high-beam bulb. Just change this high-beam bulb with a new one but make sure you are using the same brand and wattage bulb for both of your headlights.

Headlight Problems in other Subaru Models:

5) Assembly issues

What is it

One of the common Subaru Impreza headlight problems is the Assembly issues. Assembly issues generally refer to problems that are mostly related to its assembly, which includes the housing and headlight lens. 

Person fixing a car headlight

This housing and lens can get damaged or cracked and even have condensation or moisture buildup.

What causes it

Mostly these issues in Subaru Impreza arise due to rough road conditions you drive on, like driving and hitting small potholes or road speed bumps. 

Driving on these irregularities can damage the headlight housing, and even your whole headlight assembly can fall out of the car.

How to fix it

Fixation of these kinds of issues depends on the severity of the damage done. If the issue is simple, like condensation due to cracks in the headlight housing, you can use remedies like a blow dryer or using silica gel to dry it out completely.

However, if you wanna fix the root causes like the whole cracked or damaged lens, the entire assembly may need to be replaced. Moreover, you can also use sealant guns that output silicone to seal those cracks but these are temporary fixes.

To have a detailed analysis of headlight dysfunctions in Subaru models, read this Ultimate Guide to Subaru Headlight Problems, Maintenance, and Repairs. So that you can develop a clear understanding of headlight behaviors in these cars.

6) Flickering or flashing headlights

What is it

Flickering is totally different from one time on and off of a headlight. It refers to the rapid on and off of a headlight at random intervals. 

car's headlight

It can be a really frustrating and potentially dangerous issue, especially driving at night.

What causes it

The root cause of this type of issue in your Subaru Impreza is its electrical system. A faulty or incompatible electrical system not only affects your car headlights but can also cause problems with other electrical components connected with them.

How to fix it

To fix this issue, first, you have to make sure all the wires and connections are good for both your headlights and your electrical system. Sometimes a wire can get corroded and this corrosion can impact the energy supply so also look out for that. 

Also, make sure that the bulb and other components that you are using with your Subaru Impreza headlights also are compatible with its electrical system.

7) Headlight alignment issues

What is it

In the list of Subaru Impreza headlight problems, headlight misalignment is a pretty common one. 

Showing uneven beam on the wall

Headlight alignment issues mostly refer to the headlight beam pointing too high or too low or even in two different directions.

What causes it

If your car has been in some type of accident then you most likely will experience the headlight misalignment issue. Moreover, it can also occur due to improper installation of the headlight.

How to fix it

To fix this issue, first, you have to check the intensity of the misalignment. To do that, pull your Subaru Impreza up close to a wall, about 5 feet away, and slap some masking tape on the wall to mark where the center of your headlights are. 

Then, back your car up 25 feet and check to see if the height of the light beams matches up with the tape lines you marked. If they’re about the same height, you’re good to go! If not, you might need to make some adjustments.

To adjust, you’ll usually find a screw or bolt on the headlight assembly that lets you change the height or horizontal aim. Some cars even have a bubble level to help you out. 

8) Headlights getting hazy after some miles

What is it

Some Subaru owners also reported that their headlights get foggy or hazy after some miles. This fogginess can really impact the light coming out of your car headlights and can mess up the visibility.

Hazy headlight

What causes it

The common causes for this issue are the buildup of dirt, grime, and other contamination on the headlight lens. It can also be due to oxidation which comes with continuous exposure to sunlight. 

How to fix it

To fix this issue, you can use a headlight restoration kit which is available online, and you can even buy it at your local automotive repair shop. 

This kit includes a polishing compound and sandpaper that you use to rub off this fogginess from the lens. However, if the lens is damaged or foggy beyond repair, it’s better to replace it altogether.

For an idea, check this problem and its fix.

9) Faulty headlight reflectors

What is it

Reflectors of the headlights, especially for the older Subaru Impreza models, Sometimes cause dimming, flickering, and unexpected death. 

car's reflector

This is probably the design flaw of the headlights that you are using, which means the company used poor-quality headlight reflector bulbs.

What causes it

It can be caused by a lot of factors like not enough power for the reflector, poor quality reflector bulb, or condensation inside the reflector lens.

How to fix it

So, to fix the Subaru Impreza headlight issues, you gotta check all the wires that connect the reflector to the battery and make sure they’re in tip-top shape. 

After that, take a look at the bulb and ensure it’s not burned out and is working fine. And lastly, clean the reflector lens and make sure there’s no fog or moisture on it.

Headlight Problems in Ford Models:

FAQs

Which year model of the Subaru Impreza experiences the most issues with their headlights?

Subaru Impreza models from 2002-2006 experienced more headlight-related issues than other models. This is because these models have old headlight technology that is prone to problems like uneven brightness, alignment issues, and compatibility issues. 

Should I replace my Subaru Impreza headlights with aftermarket parts, or do I need to use OEM parts?

Yes, you can replace your Subaru Impreza headlights with aftermarket parts. However, it’s important to buy the parts that are compatible with your Subaru-specific make and model. 

OEM parts, on the other hand, are pretty reliable and are well tested, but aftermarket parts are still more cost-effective than OEM.

How long should a Subaru Impreza headlight last before it needs to be replaced?

Well, it depends on how often you use your headlights and what brand components you are using in them. However, on average, it can last anywhere from 500 to 1000 hours before they need replacing.

Can a professional mechanic fix the headlight problems on my Subaru Impreza, or is it something that I can tackle on my own?

You can handle some stuff on your own, but other stuff, like complex electrical problems, might need a mechanic’s help. Therefore, we will recommend you go for it if you have the proper knowledge and experience in tinkering with the components of your car, but if not, better leave it to the professionals.

Author

  • Michael Alexander

    Hi, My name is Michael. I am an automotive lights enthusiast expert. I created Cooltechguide to provide authentic knowledge about car headlight problems. If you interested in knowing more about me. Feel free to contact me

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