Subaru interiors are practical and slightly plain. The lighting matches. Factory bulbs are incandescent across the range and they dim noticeably as the cars age.
Both models are easy to work on. The fittings are common types and Subaru does not run the kind of bulb monitoring that makes German cars annoying.
Outback (2010-2014, 2015-2019, 2020+)
| Position | 2010-2014 | 2015-2019 | 2020+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front dome / map | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Rear dome | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Footwell (front) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Vanity mirror | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Cargo | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Glovebox | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
The Outback has a cargo area light on both sides on some trims. Check before ordering, because a single-cargo-light kit will leave one side of the boot dark.
Forester (SH 2008-2012, SJ 2013-2018, SK 2019+)
| Position | 2008-2012 | 2013-2018 | 2019+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front dome / map | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Rear dome | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Footwell (front) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Vanity mirror | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon | 31mm festoon |
| Cargo | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
| Glovebox | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) | T10 (194/168) |
The SK generation moved the cargo light to a single central position and added a second on higher trims. The housing is different from the SJ, though the bulb type stayed the same.
Bulb warnings on a Subaru
Almost never. Subaru does not monitor interior bulb load the way European manufacturers do. A standard LED will work without any warning on any of these generations.
That makes a Subaru one of the simpler vehicles to upgrade. You do not need to think about CANBUS or load resistors at all.
Installation
Outback front dome: the lens has a clip at the front. Trim tool, gentle lift, the housing drops with the bulb holder attached.
Rear dome on both: 31mm festoon, spring holder. Push one end, lift the other.
Footwell lights are under the dash. On the Outback they are reachable from the seat. On the Forester the driver's side is slightly recessed and you may need to look up from the footwell to find it.
Cargo light on an Outback with dual lights: do both. Doing one and leaving the other looks worse than doing neither.
Vanity lights are the usual 31mm festoon. Small notch, patience.
Colour
White is what almost every Subaru owner fits. It is a practical vehicle and white is the practical answer.
Warm white suits the beige interior option, which is common on Outbacks in some markets. It keeps the cabin feeling warm rather than clinical.
Ice blue is popular among Forester owners who take their cars off road, mostly because it looks good at night without being distracting. Purple is rare.
Frequently asked questions
Will these fit a Crosstrek? The Crosstrek shares most of its interior with the Impreza. Use the specific listing, since the cargo fittings differ from the Outback.
Do I need CANBUS bulbs for a Subaru? No. Subaru does not monitor interior bulb load.
How long does it take? Twenty to thirty minutes for a full set on either model.
One bulb is not lighting. What now? Polarity. Pull it, rotate 180 degrees, refit. If that does not work, check the contacts in the socket.
Find your Subaru LED interior light kit by model year.
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- All Subaru LED interior light kits
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