The Crosstrek's LED Headlamps Died! $2500 to replace them???

Quick video on the Death of our 18 Limited Crosstrek's Headlamps dying and how much it cost to replace them!
Crosstrek playlist: • 2018 Crosstrek Videos
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[@tfdmedic1157]

Great video pops! I will say the name of the program is, Subaru of America. They helped me out big time and the original estimate was $3,250. They did end up paying for about half of the cost and then my Subaru staff member helped me get it down even more. Still ridiculous pricing for headlights, but blessed to have great help at Subaru and at home!

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you for filling in some blanks! I didn't realize it was initially over 3K. Yikes.

[@NightKnight2048]

Kinda glad I got the lamps instead of the projectors then on my 19.

[@kenhoward3512]

This is the first time, in years, that I've heard about the replacement cost of LED headlamps. When they first began being offered, there were remarks about the high cost to replace damaged units, and now it's confirmed. And it's pretty shocking.

[@Rob-ob3sh]

I’m so happy I don’t have LED headlamps on my 2018 as I was charged $35 plus 15 min labour but that was for the daytime running light but they don’t have to take the bumper off to get at my lights. I still had an issue with Subaru because the mechanic did not connect the male to female properly and it stoped working a few days later and I could not get my car back in the shop for about 30 days and they said oh the bulb is working as it has power but we have to do diagnostic check and that will be $130 after 2 hrs and 30 min I get the car back $268 with a big written explanation of the work they did. I paid it and then went through the dealership managers to complain because the guy at the front desk was no help after trying to explain you guys just worked on this last month. From reading the work order and breaking it into plan English it was a lose connection of the male and female connector which just needed to be plugged back together and I told them it came lose from them replacing the bulb 30 days ago. I had to escalate the complaint to the top tier management of the dealership ship and they did give me my money back.

[@AZdroptop]

Wow! What a pain. Glad you got your money back.

[@Rob-ob3sh]

@@AZdroptop definitely a poor design by Subaru in having to remove the bumper to change a bulb as the guy told me the same thing when I first took my car in. They then said oh lucky for you we don’t have to do that with your 2018 model

[@Roger_Gadd]

Thanks so much for the advice, Rick. I bought mine new about a year after you bought yours, so I guess that I might have that "pleasure" of having to replace my headlamps sometime after the start of next year. I hope they have a similar scheme here in NZ.

[@AZdroptop]

I sure hope you do not have to replace them and they last the life of the car Roger! I was pretty surprised when my son first mentioned a light being out. Crazy that they charge so mush for a headlamp.

[@mikemalloy5581]

Thx Rick. We bought a 2019 after watching your videos. No issues so far. Really glad now that we didn’t get the Limited. I had no clue headlights could cost so much. Just put some LED headlamps in my old 06 Toyota…10 bucks for the pair 😀 Amazing how things have changed. I do love the much brighter LEDs. They especially seem to make the reflective signs pop out even when way down the road. Will keep that Subaru discount in mind. Good info. Thx much.

[@AZdroptop]

Hi Mike, it is pretty crazy how expensive everything is getting. Great to hear your 19 is going strong. Despite the problems, I still really like Subaru and would not hesitate to buy another one

[@saltorres52]

I also own a 2018 Crosstek and this month had to replace both rear wheel bearings (noisy - common problem with Crosstreks). The Subaru dealer quoted me $2K to replace both. Luckily they offered to cover half of the cost, so it looks the program Rick made reference to could apply to other expensive repairs. I'm glad I own the Premium model which doesn't have the adaptive headlights😅

[@AZdroptop]

Wow! Glad Subaru helped you out as well. I was thinking that with my aftermarket wheels we might have wheel bearing issues, but they are still okay thankfully.

[@toast803]

I feel your pain. It's only going to get worse. I've been looking at cost of repairs for new cars. For example, mild bump in our CX-5 cost us $3-$5k to repair. Did you see the one about the $40k initial estimate to repair a Rivian for a light bump? Regarding Subaru lights, I had a 2014 Outback and hated it when my headlights went out. Not only were the bulbs pricey (though not as pricey), you had to remove the front wheel and liner to blindly replace the bulb that if installed backwards would catch fire. One of the motivations for getting my Jeep was cost of repair. Sure, I'd love the engine reliability of the Subaru, but there are so many aftermarket parts. If I happen to get a bump that damages the bumper... well $1k for OEM and $500-$5k for aftermarket. If the led lamps fail, I can get aftermarket from $500 that include heaters and light effects.

[@AZdroptop]

That's crazy about your Mazda. It's no wonder insurance costa are going up along with everything else. I just can't see why a headlamp would be almost 1,000 dollars??? The Jeep aftermarket is so strong which will definitely make life easier for repairs.

[@edrader]

@@AZdroptop plus jeeps are low maintenance..... j/k rick glad you're doing OK!

[@tariq1318]

I have same model as yours, During the past 6 years of owning the car, The radiator, driveshaft, LH Windows motor all have been replaced, and right now the dealer replacing AC condenser, besides recalls were from the dealer, not an experience I expected when I bought the car. Fortunately The car under warranty and unfortunately it'll expire next month

[@AZdroptop]

Wow! That is a bit more than I had to deal with. Good to hear it was under warranty!!!

[@althunder4269]

We need to bring back glass lenses and halogen bulbs. These new lights are ridiculous. LEDs are too bright anyways.

[@AZdroptop]

I like the light they put off, but they are stupid expensive. Definitely makes me rethink them for my next vehicle.

[@pepeshopping]

Not going to happen. More weight from the glass and more current and copper as halogens use 5 times the power.

[@markevans506]

Wow! Where is our consumer protection??? I am starting to get really anxious that I bought a Crosstrek. To think one could simply by a set of bulbs for less than $20 for old school and we are looking at a $2K fix with leds….mind boggling.

[@AZdroptop]

Completely crazy I agree. I can't imagine what would make them so expensive.

[@springertube]

The old thing, why do they cost/charge so much? Because they can. Really unacceptable, but as they well know, what are you going to do?

[@AZdroptop]

Try to find a used set may be the cheapest way to go...

[@WaywardPondering]

I was worried about this, particularly the steering adaptive headlight function. A nice piece of tech that comes with more fail points and greater cost to repair. I intentionally bought a 2019 Impreza without EyeSight, lane assist or backup monitoring, etc. Just basic tech that's been around for at least five years.

[@AZdroptop]

Technology is awesome when it works and like you mentioned expensive when it breaks. Ours doesn’t have eyesight either thankfully! I hear the windshields are pricey!

[@d80mal]

In my country there are a lot of option for alternative option replacement from the stock. I'm happy for your solution but still expensive.

[@brianklamer3328]

The high cost of the LED headlights are spread out amongst all of us by higher insurance premiums, front end fender-benders so common.

[@AZdroptop]

True!!!

[@kenbo80]

We have an 03 Baja and 08 Impreza and, barring accidents, they are keepers. IMO cars 2010 or later have too many bells and whistles that break and cost too much to repair.

[@AZdroptop]

And they keep adding more and more bells and whistles where it is starting to make sense to pay for a long term insurance plan! The Baja's are so cool by the way.

[@arosaaneta1]

Hello, thank you for your videos. I bought 2021 Subaru Crosstrek with just one key. It is a regular key with 4 buttons fob. How do I program duplicate fob. This car also came without owner's manual.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you for watching and congrats on your Crosstrek. Check out this link for how to program your key fob. www.capitolsubarusj.com/service/how-to-program-a-subaru-key-fob/#:~:text=Open%20and%20close%20the%20door,start%20working%20in%205%20seconds.

[@carlquirico391]

I also have a 2018 Crosstrek 50th Anniversary 82K miles and so far no issues even with KO2's...knock on wood.

[@AZdroptop]

Awesome. The KO2's are great.

[@debsisson4559]

Ouch! That is a ridiculous. I just replaced bulbs on Zippy and Sylvania sent me a rebate.

[@AZdroptop]

Rub it in Deb. LOL. :). Crazy price for headlamps for sure. At least Subaru helped out a bit. Hope you are doing well and great to hear from you.

[@willalke2104]

Im curious about the suspension issue you mentioned. I have a 2018 Crosstrek as well, and l just had to replace the rear struts last year. It only had 80,000 km's on it.

[@AZdroptop]

I had read sway bar bushing bolts that were not torqued to the correct specs at the factory and they fell out on the trail one day. Subaru ended up covering everything in the end. I have a couple of videos on it where I talk about it. Took some time for them to figure it out. I also had to have the DS strut replaced because it was rattling like crazy. They never really figured that one out, but though there may have been from rust.

[@AZdroptop]

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[@slowstihatch677]

Get the halogen lamps and do the LED/HID projector retrofit.

[@AZdroptop]

We considered that, but I don't think the wiring is the same and would not allow for an easy swap? I could be wrong.

[@slowstihatch677]

@@AZdroptop Ah, I see. Okay, thanks. Hopefully there is a better solution for your gen Crosstrek. Not to sound like a jerk, but I love my '13 WRX hatch with the factory HID headlamps. 😀

[@AZdroptop]

Not at all. Don't blame you one bit. :).

[@nrich5127]

Everyone gets gets intoxicated with this "new" technology ... until it breaks and a $75 repair becomes a $2500 repair and they realized they've been screwed by the manufacturer who marks up the parts by a factor of 50 ... screw the customer ... they have to pay.

[@AZdroptop]

Yep. Well said.

[@richardepstein3494]

I have an Crosstrek Limited too. What is the name of that program that you got help from? Thankyou.

[@AZdroptop]

I don't know a specific name. The receipt from Subaru just says Subaru of American participation covering the cost of one headlamp.

[@robertharold2503]

I heard it was 2500 to replace headlights on a bronco sport as well

[@AZdroptop]

Wow! Craziness. I love LED's, but replacement is nuts.

[@Jaypher]

Well now I don’t want to run my daytime running lights at all with that price 😅

[@AZdroptop]

Ha ha. Exactly. :). Crazy replacement cost.

[@ricksousa3932]

I have a 2023 with LED my wife's car is a 2020 without led and I don't like it, I like the bright light's.

[@AZdroptop]

Agreed, the LED's are great for light!

[@adaml3809]

You know is total BS on Subaru. Every car thief will find out how much it costs, and they will be targetting them.

[@AZdroptop]

I have the feeling all manufactures are charging that much. Crazy!

[@sokratzmmf]

Modern cars are built to have expensive repairs.

[@pepeshopping]

Never get the 1st year model! (Exceptions exist of course, but Subaru is not one).

[@AZdroptop]

Now you tell me. :). Always good advice.

[@edmundohillary]

Car is a 2018. Im not good at math but isnt it six years old?

[@AZdroptop]

I got it late 17 so 7 years. My math was a bit off. :).

[@archie_bunker]

I don't get this headlight craze, i will never spend a dime on any of these crap led lights..I like my halogens.

[@AZdroptop]

Good plan!