2017 SUBARU FORESTER Exterior Lighting Problems

Left front head light will turn off while turning left, more than 10deg. This is part of the Steering Responsive System where the headlights will move with the steering. This is a sealed unit and not a user replaceable component such as a head lamp. Replacement costs are excessive for this manufacture failure. This left front headlight turning off while turning left is a common problem found on the Subaru Forums.

This is the same issue we are seeing with our other Subaru where we come out to drive and the battery is dead. We would jump the battery and be able to drive for the day and the next day the battery is dead in the morning. I replaced the battery several times over the last few year and the battery would die with a less than 2 month old battery. I was driving around in both cars with jumper cables permanently. After taking it to the dealer, the battery was in great condition, the alternator was charging properly and there is a known electrical issue with this model and year that is part of a class action lawsuit. I had to replace my rear gate module electrical unit because it was going on and off in the night and draining my battery. I will be looking to get re-eimbursed...

THERE IS INTERMITTENT SURGING UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE BACK INTERIOR LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON WHILE ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT SIGN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THERE'S NOTHING IN THE SEAT. THE BATTERY WILL DIE IF THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ON FOR 5 MINUTES OR 15 AND OTHERS WILL BE JUST FINE. THE CAMERA IN THE BACK OF THE CAR IS A BIT OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR BUMPER.

SUBARU OF AMERICA DOES NOT CURRENTLY OFFER AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AS AN OPTION ON ITS FORESTER PREMIUM TRIM. SUBARU OF AMERICA'S PARTS DEPARTMENT (PARTS.SUBARU.COM), LISTS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SENSOR AND SWITCH AS COMPATIBLE WITH THE FORESTER PREMIUM AND GIVES CONSUMERS DETAILS ON OFFICIAL DEALERSHIPS WHERE THESE PARTS CAN BE PURCHASED. SUBARU OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, HOWEVER, CLAIMS THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE 2017 FORESTER PREMIUM, THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS IS TO UPGRADE TO THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE LIMITED TRIM. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE PARTS DEPARTMENT IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE PARTS SALES, OR WHETHER CUSTOMER SERVICE IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING CUSTOMERS IN THE HOPES OF SELLING CARS WITH HIGHER MSRP; EITHER WAY, SUBARU OF AMERICA IS MISLEADING CONSUMERS ABOUT SPARE/REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR A SAFETY CRITICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM.