What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 2012 Subaru Forester?

The 2012 Subaru Forester uses a HID-D2R LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 2012 Subaru Forester?

The high beam bulb size for the 2012 Subaru Forester is 9005 LED.

Why are my 2012 Subaru Forester headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 2012 Subaru Forester can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a HID-D2R LED LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 2012 Subaru Forester fog light?

The 2012 Subaru Forester uses a 9006 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Is the 2012 Subaru Forester single or dual beam?

The 2012 Subaru Forester uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 2012 Subaru Forester?

Yes, the 2012 Subaru Forester comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a HID-D2R LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have fog lights?

Yes, the 2012 Subaru Forester takes a 9006 LED bulb for the fog light position.

Did the 2012 Subaru Forester change headlight bulb sizes from the previous year?

Yes — the 2012 Subaru Forester uses different bulb sizes than the 2011 model. The 2012–2013 generation introduced this bulb configuration.

Is the 2012 Subaru Forester the first or last year to use HID-D2R LED bulbs?

The 2012 Subaru Forester is the first year in the 2012–2013 generation to use the HID-D2R LED bulb for the low beam headlight.

How do I change the headlight on a 2012 Subaru Forester?

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 HID-D2R 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.

Are LED headlights legal for a 2012 Subaru Forester?

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 HID-D2R LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 2012 Subaru Forester headlights?

A pair of HID HID-D2R LED bulbs costs $50 to $150. 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.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 2012 Subaru Forester?

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 HID-D2R LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

The 2012 Subaru Forester is the first model year to use this bulb configuration (2012–2013).

Fitment Guaranteed for 2012 Subaru Forester

What Size Bulbs Does a 2012 Subaru Forester Use?

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

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$50 - $150 (HID System)

What Lighting System Does the 2012 Subaru Forester Have?

Owners of the 2012 Subaru Forester will find a total of 14 lighting elements throughout the vehicle's exterior. It features an extensive lighting system powered by premium factory HID/Xenon technology utilizing D2R projector housings for high-intensity output. This model belongs to the mid years of the Forester's 1998-2022 production span.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 2012 Subaru Forester?

The 2012 Subaru Forester is already equipped with factory D2R HID/Xenon headlights. Since HID technology already provides exceptional brightness, we recommend staying with high-quality OEM replacement bulbs rather than attempting an LED retrofit for the primary headlights. However, the 9006 LED fog lights are typically halogen and are excellent candidates for an LED upgrade to match the color temperature of your HID headlights.

2012 Subaru Forester Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Low Beam	HID-D2R LED	Buy HID-D2R LED →
High Beam	9005 LED	Buy 9005 LED →
Fog Light	9006 LED	Buy 9006 LED →
Brake Light	7443CK	Buy 7443CK →
Side Marker	7443 LED	Buy 7443 LED →
Turn Signal Front	7440NA LED	Buy 7440NA LED →
Turn Signal Rear	7440NA LED	Buy 7440NA LED →
Reverse Light	7440	Buy 7440 →
Dome Light	DE3175	Buy DE3175 →
License Plate	168	Buy 168 →
Map Light	DE3175	Buy DE3175 →
Parking Light	168	Buy 168 →
Trunk Light	912	Buy 912 →
Tail Light	7443CK	Buy 7443CK →

How do the 2012 Subaru Forester's bulbs compare to other years?

The 2012 Subaru Forester changed bulb sizes from 2011. The previous model year used a different configuration.

The 2013 model continues with the same bulb sizes.

This bulb configuration covers the 2012–2013 model years. ← 2011 2013 →

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Other Forester Years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

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