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Fitment Guaranteed for 2019 Subaru Forester

What Size Bulbs Does a 2019 Subaru Forester Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Moderate (Dust covers often present)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 2019 Subaru Forester Have?

The 2019 Subaru Forester features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses factory LED technology with integrated LED headlight modules. The Forester has been available from 1998 to 2019, and the 2019 model falls in the late-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2019 Subaru Forester?

Upgrading the 2019 Subaru Forester to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single LED Headlights dual-filament bulb for both low and high beams. You only need one pair of LED bulbs to upgrade both functions. Look for a LED Headlights LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly. For the fog lights, a H16 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2019 Subaru Forester

To remove the headlight bulb, disconnect the wiring harness, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. On the 2019 Forester, you will likely encounter rubber dust covers behind the headlight housing. These pull off by hand or unscrew depending on the design. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes per side. This vehicle has factory-integrated LED headlight modules. These are not user-serviceable bulbs. If your LED headlights fail, the entire headlight assembly or LED module may need to be replaced by a dealer or qualified technician. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the H16 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: LED HeadlightsHigh Beam: LED HeadlightsFog Light: H16 LEDBrake Light: LED BulbSide Marker: LED BulbTurn Signal Front: 7444NA LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7440NA LEDReverse Light: 921Dome Light: DE3175License Plate: 2825Map Light: LED BulbParking Light: 7444NATrunk Light: 912
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How Long Do 2019 Subaru Forester Headlight Bulbs Last?

Factory LED headlights on the 2019 Subaru Forester are rated for approximately 25,000 to 50,000 hours of use, which translates to roughly 10 to 15 years of normal driving. LED modules rarely burn out suddenly. Instead, they gradually dim over time or develop dead zones within the LED array. At 7 years old, the original bulbs on your Forester are likely overdue for replacement, though LED modules may still have life left. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 2019 Subaru Forester?

Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

2019 Subaru Forester Headlight FAQ

The 2019 Subaru Forester uses a LED Headlights bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2019 Subaru Forester is LED Headlights.

The 2019 Subaru Forester uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 2019 Subaru Forester comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a LED Headlights LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2019 Subaru Forester takes a H16 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old LED Headlights bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved LED Headlights LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen LED Headlights bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the LED Headlights position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Subaru Forester Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1998 to 2019, the Subaru Forester has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2019 model uses the newer bulb specification introduced around 2018. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2019 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Forester Years