2025 Subaru Forester Premium Headlight low beam

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Hi, new to this forum. I am so discouraged with my new 2025 Subaru Forester Premium low beam headlight issue. Just to note this is my third new Subaru. I previously had a Forester, then a new 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. I never had any issue with visibility at night with these vehicles.
So the problem I am having is when the low beams are on, there is a distinctive black line above where there the light shines along with 2 black dots, 1 on the right and one on left of beam. I cannot see past the light because of the black line. very scary and not safe. I found this info online: SEE BELOW
This is exactly what I'm talking about. I reached out to my dealer and was told that is how the lights are, and nothing can be done. So, I reached out to Subaru customer service, and they said that is how it is as well. But they would document my concern and maybe in the future there MIGHT be some resolve... So, my option is not drive at night. or get another make car...
I thought by posting here, and see others who are experiencing this issue, would reach out to Subaru and voice their concern so possibly we could have a solution sooner than later.

Defective Low-beam Headlights​

All the complaints listed under exterior lighting relate to headlights operating in low-beam mode.

An owner from Maine states that the headlights in the 2025 Subaru Forester are defective. “In low beam, the car is not roadworthy. It is dangerous!” According to the complaint, the first time they drove the car after dark was a week after taking delivery. “We were at risk as was any other vehicle on the road at that time. We have not driven the car after dark since. The dealer who sold the car to us has been made aware of the problem.”

“This is a dangerous condition that needs to be corrected,” states an owner from Tennessee. “The beam is set so that it is flat on top and too low. When the car dips at all the beam does not allow you (to) see straight ahead. This is very dangerous when you cannot use the high beam, as with oncoming traffic. I have taken it to the dealer and they state that the low beam is set according to Subaru specifications. Contact with Subaru America offered no correction.”

An owner from Ohio describes the effect when the low beam LED lights are on while driving on a dark rural road as, “Low visibility and dark (shadowy) spots on road surface.” He didn’t drive at night until nearly three weeks after taking delivery of the SUV. “That’s when I noticed the problem with the lights.” Again, the dealer maintained that the lights were level and working as designed. Attempts to contact someone from Subaru had been futile at the time of the complaint. “I live in a rural township that doesn’t have street lights or sidewalks. Due to the low visibility and dark spots, I don’t feel comfortable driving the car at night.”
 
I have a 23 Forester with the same issue..the low beam sharp cutoff we experience is, in my opinion, designed to prevent " blinding" oncomming traffic, which is becoming a bigger problem with many cars having led lights....I just arm the high beam mode and I found that fills in the cutoff nicely in low ambient light areas...but yes, low beams alone leave room for much improvement..
 
That is the way the lights were designed to work. They rotate when you turn the steering wheel. I have a 2024 Crosstrek, same design and no issues with the quite indistinguishable “black line or dots”.
 
Thanks for posting this. I visit the forums because I'm interested in getting a new Forester. I live in a rural area so effective headlights are a big deal.
 
The problem is described above as "there is a distinctive black line above where there the light shines along with 2 black dots, 1 on the right and one on left of beam. I cannot see past the light because of the black line". I just did some research online and based on what I found, "Low beam headlights typically illuminate the road about 150 to 350 feet ahead, with a common range being 160 to 200 feet" and the low beams on the 2025 Forester illuminate the road out to 200 feet which is in the middle of the normal range. I have a 2025 Subaru and I have no problem seeing with low beams at night on dark rural roads, at least no more than with any other car I've owned over the last 50 years. If I need to see further, I flick on the high beams.
 
The problem is described above as "there is a distinctive black line above where there the light shines along with 2 black dots, 1 on the right and one on left of beam. I cannot see past the light because of the black line". I just did some research online and based on what I found, "Low beam headlights typically illuminate the road about 150 to 350 feet ahead, with a common range being 160 to 200 feet" and the low beams on the 2025 Forester illuminate the road out to 200 feet which is in the middle of the normal range. I have a 2025 Subaru and I have no problem seeing with low beams at night on dark rural roads, at least no more than with any other car I've owned over the last 50 years. If I need to see further, I flick on the high beams.
One solution would be to add your own auxiliary lights.

Look in the off-road aftermarket. There are many choices to choose from and all are intended for easy user installation, and most are economical. You're after "driving lights" if that helps any.
 

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