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Fitment Guaranteed for 2005 Subaru Legacy

What Size Bulbs Does a 2005 Subaru Legacy Use?

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

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

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

What Lighting System Does the 2005 Subaru Legacy Have?

The 2005 Subaru Legacy features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with H7 LED low beams and 9005 LED high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The Legacy has been available from 1990 to 2019, and the 2005 model falls in the mid-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2005 Subaru Legacy?

To upgrade the 2005 Subaru Legacy headlights to LED, you will need a H7 LED LED kit for the low beams and a 9005 LED LED kit for the high beams. Start with the low beams since they are used most often and have the biggest impact on nighttime visibility. For the fog lights, a H3 LED LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 2005 Subaru Legacy

The H7 bulb uses a spring clip or wire retainer that holds the bulb in the socket. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. Older model years like the 2005 Legacy typically offer easy access to the headlight bulbs from behind the headlight assembly under the hood. Most owners can complete the swap in under 10 minutes per side. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. 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 H3 LED fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: H7 LEDHigh Beam: 9005 LEDFog Light: H3 LEDBrake Light: 7440 LEDSide Marker: 168 LEDTurn Signal Front: 3157A LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7440 LEDReverse Light: 921Dome Light: DE3175License Plate: 168Map Light: DE3175Parking Light: 3157ATrunk Light: 2825
Shop Complete LED Kit

2005 Subaru Legacy Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
H7 LEDBuy H7 LED
High Beam
9005 LEDBuy 9005 LED
Fog Light
H3 LEDBuy H3 LED
Brake Light
7440 LEDBuy 7440 LED
Side Marker
168 LEDBuy 168 LED
Turn Signal Front
3157A LEDBuy 3157A LED
Turn Signal Rear
7440 LEDBuy 7440 LED
Reverse Light
921Buy 921
Dome Light
DE3175Buy DE3175
License Plate
168Buy 168
Map Light
DE3175Buy DE3175
Parking Light
3157ABuy 3157A
Trunk Light
2825Buy 2825

Want to upgrade everything at once?

Shop Complete LED Kit for 2005 Subaru Legacy
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 2005 Subaru Legacy Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 2005 Subaru Legacy have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 21 years old, the original bulbs on your Legacy are likely overdue for replacement. 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 2005 Subaru Legacy?

The H7 low beam bulb on the 2005 Subaru Legacy is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact H7 size. For the high beams, the 9005 is interchangeable with HB3. 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.

2005 Subaru Legacy Headlight FAQ

The 2005 Subaru Legacy uses a H7 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 2005 Subaru Legacy is 9005 LED.

The 2005 Subaru Legacy uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 2005 Subaru Legacy comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a H7 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 2005 Subaru Legacy takes a H3 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 H7 LED 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 H7 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen H7 LED 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 H7 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Subaru Legacy Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1990 to 2019, the Subaru Legacy has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Fog Light positions. The 2005 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2018. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 2005 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Legacy Years

20192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990
B9 TribecaBRZBajaBratCrosstekForesterImprezaJusty

Other Vehicles That Use H7 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a H7 LED low beam bulb:

2023 Hyundai Kona2023 Kia Forte2022 Hyundai Veloster2021 Hyundai Tucson2019 BMW 330i xDrive2019 BMW X1