2020 Subaru Forester Bulb Sizes

Quick reference

The 2020 Subaru Forester offers a mix of halogen and LED lighting, with higher trim levels featuring full LED headlights. It's crucial to verify your specific trim to determine the factory bulb type.

LED vs Halogen Upgrade Considerations

Upgrading your 2020 Subaru Forester from halogen to LED bulbs can significantly improve visibility and give your vehicle a more modern look. However, there are a few important considerations:

• CANBUS Errors: Many modern vehicles, including the Forester, use a CANBUS (Controller Area Network Bus) system to monitor electrical components. Halogen bulbs draw more power than LEDs, so when you switch to LEDs, the lower power draw can trigger "bulb out" warnings on your dashboard. To avoid this, you'll often need CANBUS-compatible LED bulbs or load resistors that simulate the power draw of a halogen bulb.
• Adapters: Some aftermarket LED bulbs may require specific adapters to fit properly into the headlight housing. Check the product specifications to ensure compatibility with your Forester.
• Beam Pattern: Not all LED bulbs are created equal. Poorly designed LED bulbs can create a scattered beam pattern, reducing effectiveness and potentially blinding oncoming drivers. Look for LED bulbs designed to mimic the filament placement of their halogen counterparts to ensure a proper beam pattern.
• Heat Dissipation: LEDs generate heat, and effective heat dissipation is crucial for their longevity. Good quality LED bulbs will have built-in cooling systems (fans or heatsinks) to manage heat.

How to Replace Each Bulb

Headlights (Low Beam & High Beam): Access to the headlight bulbs typically requires opening the hood. You may need to remove a plastic cover or air intake tube to reach the back of the headlight assembly. Twist to unlock the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector. For LED headlight housings, replacement usually involves the entire assembly, not individual bulbs.

Fog Lights: These are usually accessible from underneath the front bumper or by removing a fender liner. Turn the wheel inward for easier access if going through the fender well.

DRL (Daytime Running Lights): These are often integrated into the high beam bulb or a separate bulb within the headlight assembly. Follow similar steps to headlight bulb replacement if separate.

Front Turn Signal: Accessible from the headlight assembly, often requiring a twist to remove the bulb socket.

Rear Turn Signal, Brake Light, Tail Light, Reverse Light: To access these, you'll typically need to open the liftgate and remove the interior trim panel covering the taillight assembly. Once the panel is off, you'll see the bulb sockets. Twist to remove.

License Plate Lights: These are usually single bulbs located in a small housing above the license plate. Often, you can pry off the lens cover with a small flathead screwdriver to access the bulb.

Side Marker Lights: Similar to license plate lights, these often involve prying off a lens or twisting a small housing from the outside of the fender.

Dome Light & Map Lights: Gently pry off the plastic lens cover with a plastic trim removal tool or small flathead screwdriver. The bulbs are usually push-in or festoon type.

Common Lighting Issues for This Generation (2019-2024 Subaru Forester)

Owners of the 2019-2024 Subaru Forester generation have reported a few common lighting-related issues:

• Premature LED Failure (OEM): Some owners with factory LED headlights have experienced premature failure of LED modules, requiring replacement of the entire headlight assembly, which can be costly. This is less common but worth noting.
• DRL Malfunctions: Occasional reports of DRLs flickering or not illuminating correctly, which can sometimes be attributed to wiring issues or a faulty relay.
• Tail Light Condensation: While not a bulb issue directly, some owners have observed condensation inside the taillight assemblies, which can eventually lead to bulb corrosion or electrical issues. If noted check seals.

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