How to: Subaru WRX 2011-2014 License Plate Light Change/Replace

[@adamschaafsma5839]

Good simple guide to replacement. Nice job! Kept me from breaking anything knowing the housings slide and don't just pop straight out.

[@AlaniaStHill]

Awesome video! Really helped!!! I just changed the bulbs myself!!! Thank you for making this!!!

[@9LIVES_DIY]

I have to say... I found this to be somewhat helpful... but not entirely. Here's why: 1) the passenger side light fixture gets pushed to the left, as you said, but the driver side one gets pushed to the right... they both get pushed towards the center 2) getting them out after prying them loose is an exercise in frustration... what works FAR better (in the sedan, anyway) is to remove the upholstery panel inside the deck lid (just pop the little black plastic fasteners out) and EASILY remove the sockets from the back side... no need to fight with the light fixtures at all.

[@RegularGiraffe]

thanks, i was thinking to deter theft they would want to remove the lights from the inside.

[@probro6722]

It depends on the model. On my Subaru GH 2009 they both go to the left. I'd follow the car's manual tbh.

[@curtishorne4046]

This helped me change both of mine ! I used WD-40 though to make removing the housing a little easier

[@jugdhiss]

2009 Impreza Outback Sport is same procedure, right?

[@lavariegamario]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this videos for us

[@baycityfreight]

2015 Forester, had to use a Leatherman to break those sliding covers loose. Thanks for the clarification.

[@h3110myn4m3]

just got a 2012 wrx and was really wondering how to switch them out and haven't found much online but this vid helped and points me in the right way.thanks for the info!

[@zacharymcdonough2864]

Use a tiny flathead screwdriver. Place it on the right hand side as you move the lense to the left. It makes it very easy.

[@RUZTY1311]

Oh wow...after actually watching before commenting the Hatch doesn't use screws!!! I have a sedan and it has two screws on either side of the plastic cover and they SUCK to take out and put back in lol And there a rubber grommet that comes out as well that you have to re-align or you could get moisture up in there haha They made the Hatch way easy to take those off :)

[@ecpoirier]

Thanks for recording your experience and sharing your knowledge with us.

[@kamontravelon]

Thank you for the video, a quick question, the one on the left ( that wasn't unclamped) still slide to left or to the right ? Thanks

[@basedjake0261]

It’s the same way🤣(Push left) also it’s probably a little late but I just got this car and the lights went out 🦧

[@megajameschan]

@@basedjake0261 Never too late! This will help people out in the future

[@eganfo]

Thanks for the video. Any suggestions on how to get those loose other than more elbow grease? I got one, but the second one is challenging.

[@burns1210]

Egan Fo Pop the inside panel, if you haven't done so already. Much easier to unclip them from behind.

[@odom030]

I have popped them back in as instructed but, they are loose. Nothing I do will get them to “snap” in a way that makes them as secure as before I took them out. Any tips? Also at the end of the video you said they may need a “shrink?” How do you mean? Heat gun?

[@nicholashu396]

Thx - Worked for 2009 Impreza also.

[@teddiehoops]

This really help a lot! It works with 2014 Crosstrek XV. Thank you!

[@danwat1234]

Same fixture on the 2015 Forester. It takes some elbow grease the first time you take them off because of the glue

[@chazz8529]

Thankyou so much dude! Just changed them on my Australian Impreza RS. Big help much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@myn3na]

Perfect. Send any video. They’re helpful

[@brolyfilth]

Hey man! Thanks a lot. I was able to change mine checking your video. Skirrrrt skirrrrt! 🤣🤣🤣

[@umkcboxer]

i just got led light. damn it is hard take out the cover!!

[@Shalashaska016]

Well sh*t... I actually just took out all the black hatch trim and replaced it from the interior not the exterior. Fixed is fixed though. Thanks for the post.

[@eliashrodriguez6651]

Did u buy these online?

[@GaryKari]

Did this to my Levorg and you REALLY need to push it to the sides... If I remember correctly, I used a screwdriver with cloth protecting the housing to be able to slide it

[@xPHANtastic]

Very helpful! Made my install a lot easier.

[@sergeungureanu8831]

Thanks dude! 👍

[@umkcboxer]

awesome Thank you so much!!

[@batman7035]

I found that you can gently pry with a screw driver from the center to the outside and the cover will pop up easily.

[@newstate9091]

So I got the bulb replaced, but how the heck do you get the bulb housing snapped back in and locked to the side? I've pushed the housing to the right as hard as I can and it won't move... anyone?

[@BuyYourBuild]

You should be able to snap it back in. Check for anything that might be blocking it or a broken clip

[@vntg_box]

Helpful ... thumbs up! 👍🏼

[@bicycler4life]

Thanks for the helpful video!

[@yung_shreda9288]

So helpful thank you

[@burns1210]

I have a 2016 hatchback. Couldn't get the damn things to budge so before I broke anything, I just took off the panels inside the hatch and unhooked them from the inside. With the trim tools it's a piece of cake.

[@stevemarston2936]

I also have a 2016 hatch and the owner's manual says to slide it but it feels like I'm going to break it

[@christopherburk7873]

@@stevemarston2936 I've got a '12 hatch, and I feel the same way. Trying to figure this out! I feel like I'm either going to break the housing cover or break my thumb trying to pry it loose..

[@christopherburk7873]

This is something I thought about when the light housing WILL NOT BUDGE at all. I was barely able to get the cover to move a femptometer. But I'm still struggling with this. I should look into your suggestion of removing the panels inside the hatch before I break something!

[@Sunsetflorida1]

Thanks, great job!

[@metefun4038]

Link please

[@logan5326]

The best way to go, is to do it through the back of the hatch (unclipped the 4 plastic retainers around inside the door). No need to play around with them damn light covers from the outside of the vehicle!

[@danieldominguez3737]

Biggest pain in the ass for myself was putting them back in, holy shit man.

[@affinity409]

for real, how on earth does this thing go back in? It's definitely not working like the end of the video shows. Did you get yours back in Daniel? Any tricks?

[@danieldominguez3737]

+Michael Hannon honestly man, I just used like cardboard (cereal box) and wedged it in tight. I'll leave it to the Subie mechanics lol.

[@affinity409]

+Daniel Dominguez I feel you crappiest design ever

[@hybridmotion]

Actually, doing it this way is so much more difficult than just opening your trunk, pulling the projector tabs off and replacing the lights from inside the trunk side. Tbh, I tried pulling it out the other way like this video and I could not get the housing out, so I tried this and it was MUCH easier. I have a 2014 Subaru Impreza btw.

[@christopherburk7873]

I've got a 2012 Impreza hatch and it is freaking IMPOSSIBLE to get these suckers out! I followed the manual's instructions and that thing just barely budges, but not enough to replace the bulb! I have now seen 3 videos of people doing this and they make it seem so easy.. but no luck here yet. I really don't want to have to take the car to a mechanic and pay $50 to replace a $3.21 light bulb!

[@BuyYourBuild]

No problem!

[@Sloppyjoe96]

it looks the same for 2010 hatch

[@dddddddd48]

Thanks

[@nowayjose20]

Not all light bulbs are called LEDs.

[@coldgarden_]

Both should get pushed towards the center.

[@SuperDemeer]

Thx

[@Spider-SenseAtion]

I can’t get the right one back on for my life i might actually commit

[@4wardk]

was easy to do

[@RUZTY1311]

Yea those screws are a PAIN IN THE ASS to get out and BACK IN especially lol

[@pnowikow]

A little WD-40 and they come right off

[@donqiu8397]

Absolute fraud

[@RamiroWainberg]

Thanks for this video!