2018 Subaru Impreza · symptom sheet
Headlights too dim or fail
- 26owner reports
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Nov 24, 2024 · checked Oct 2, 2026
64 of the 151 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 26 of those describe headlights. Only windshield is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Headlights on other Impreza years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017.
What this problem usually is
Headlight complaints fall into two camps. In one, a headlight goes out, often more than once, or fills with moisture behind the lens. In the other, the lights work exactly as built and the owner still can't see the road at night because the beam is too dim or too short. Owners in that second camp often report a dealer telling them it's normal.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the headlight assembly (22 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.
All 5 recalls on the 2018 Subaru Impreza, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Last August, a recall on Subaru Impreza headlamps was issued. To date, these have not been remedied and Subaru has no information about repair dates.”
Filed Aug 9, 2023
“I'm really concerned by the recall notice from Subaru that my chances of a crash are increased due to inadequate headlamps. I've had a handful of instances where other vehicles have not seen me and just stopped before pulling out in front of me. I was notified of this defect last October. It's now July. When will Subaru have a remedy to keep me safe?”
Filed Jul 16, 2023
“Got a recall notice about my headlamps almost a year ago, everytime I go on nhtsa.gov it always says "Remedy not yet available". It also says "Recall data refreshed on Aug 17,2022"--have there been any updates to this data since then? Seems like this recall was put out there and then forgotten about.”
Filed Jul 9, 2023
“Received notice in August 2022 that there is a safety concern with this car's headlamp. There is still no remedy available. I am concerned for my safety while driving because they headlights are very dim and it's hard to see at night putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. 9 months to develop a new headlamp seems extreme for a car manufacturer.”
Filed May 16, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 40 reports