Parts for your 2016 Subaru Forester-Exterior bulbs

2016 Subaru Forester – Exterior Bulbs

Per Subaru’s own technical documentation for the 2016 Forester (owner’s manual and service information), the vehicle is equipped with multiple exterior light bulbs—headlamps, indicators, tail/stop, reverse, fog, side repeaters, and number plate lamps. So yes, exterior bulbs are absolutely relevant and fitted to this model.

Exterior bulbs on a 2016 Subaru Forester do the heavy lifting for visibility and signalling. They help the driver see the road and help everyone else see the Forester, meeting local ADR/NZTA lighting requirements and keeping the car safe, roadworthy, and ready for rego or WoF checks. Most AU/NZ Foresters of this era are halogen-equipped, though some trims may use HID or include LED daytime running lamps—so it pays to confirm what’s on the car before ordering parts.

As part of routine servicing, a quick lighting check is smart: headlights (low and high), indicators front and rear, tail/stop lamps, reverse lights, fogs, side repeaters, and number plate illumination. If a bulb’s gone or looks dim or patchy in colour, replace it promptly. It’s often worth doing both sides at once so brightness and colour match.

• Use the correct bulb type and wattage specified for the Forester—wrong bulbs can overheat housings or throw a poor beam pattern.
• Avoid touching halogen glass with bare fingers, oils create hot spots and shorten life. Use gloves or a clean tissue.
• After headlamp bulb changes, check aim against a wall or have the beam alignment verified to avoid glare and maintain night vision.
• If several lights are out, check fuses and earths before blaming bulbs. Healthy battery voltage also helps bulb longevity.
• Moisture or haze in lenses? Inspect seals and caps, replace gaskets if needed and clean up any corrosion in the socket.

Access on the Forester is generally from under the bonnet for headlight bulbs, with fog lamps typically reached via the inner guard liner. If considering LED “upgrades”, only use ADR/NZTA-compliant solutions designed for the housing, many drop-in LED conversions in halogen reflectors aren’t legal and can cause glare or fail WoF/regos.

Keeping a small spares kit in the glovebox, plus a trim tool and a torch, makes roadside swaps a breeze. With the right bulbs and a few careful habits, the Forester’s exterior lighting will stay bright, compliant, and dependable through all conditions.

What exterior bulbs does the 2016 Forester use?

It varies by trim and market. Many 2016 Foresters in AU/NZ use halogen headlamp bulbs, with conventional incandescent bulbs for indicators, tail/stop, reverse, and number plate lights. Some variants may include HID low beams or LED daytime running lights. The sure-fire method is to check the owner’s manual, the markings on the lamp holder/caps, or a VIN-based parts lookup.

How often should exterior bulbs be replaced?

Replace immediately if a bulb fails, looks noticeably dim, or the colour shifts. As a preventative rule for halogens, consider refreshing critical pairs (low beams, brake lights) every 2–3 years, especially if doing lots of night or rural driving. Always replace in pairs to keep brightness and beam colour consistent side to side.

Can the 2016 Forester be upgraded to LED bulbs?

Possibly, but take care. LED retrofits in halogen reflector housings may not be ADR/NZTA compliant and can create glare or fail rego/WoF. If upgrading, choose ADR-compliant kits proven for the specific housing, verify beam pattern and aim, and keep documentation. For non-critical lamps like number plate lights, LED options are often simpler—still confirm they’re compliant.