How do I know if my Outback has HID headlights?

Not every Outback has HID headlights; they appear on select trims and model years. You can confirm by inspecting the headlight assembly for a ballast, checking the bulb type, or reviewing the vehicle's documentation.

HID headlights use a xenon bulb in a projector-style housing powered by a separate ballast. They typically light with a bright, white light and may require a moment to reach full brightness. Because Subaru has updated its lighting technology across generations, the easiest way to be sure is a hands-on check combined with official specifications for your exact year and trim.

What HID headlights are and why it matters

HID stands for high-intensity discharge. Unlike traditional halogen bulbs, HID systems rely on a xenon gas-filled bulb and an external ballast to ignite and regulate the arc. LED headlights are a different technology entirely; many Subaru Outback variants now use LED headlights, especially on higher trims in recent years. Knowing which your vehicle has helps with maintenance, replacements, and potential upgrades.

HID vs LED vs Halogen

HID (xenon) uses a ballast and a dedicated projector to create a bright, broad beam. LED headlights rely on solid-state diodes and an electronic driver. Halogen bulbs burn a filament inside gas-filled glass. Each technology has different replacement parts and service considerations, so identifying the correct type is essential for repairs and upgrades.

How to determine whether your Outback has HID headlights

Before you start, a quick visual and documentation check will usually settle the question. Use these steps to verify the headlight type on your specific Outback.

• Inspect the headlight assembly for a ballast. HID systems require a separate ballast unit (usually a small rectangular box) mounted in the engine bay or near the headlight.


• Look at the inside of the headlight for a projector-style bulb. HID setups commonly use a dedicated projector lens with a distinct, rounded inner housing; halogen systems typically use a reflector housing with a visible filament if you can see the bulb.


• Check the bulb markings if accessible. HID bulbs are often labeled with D-suffix types such as D1S, D2S, D3S, or D4S. If you see such a bulb, you’re looking at HID.


• Note the light’s startup and color. HID lights usually take a fraction of a second to reach full brightness and emit a bright, whitish-blue beam that’s noticeably crisper than most halogens; LED headlights can look similar but are installed with different modules and wiring.


• Review the vehicle’s documentation. The window sticker, owner’s manual, or the Subaru build sheet for your VIN will list the headlamp type (for example, Xenon HID, LED, or Halogen).

Concluding: A combination of hardware cues (ballast, projector housing, bulb markings) and official documentation is the most reliable way to confirm HID headlights on your Outback.

Documentation and verification options

Before relying on memory or appearance alone, confirm with official sources that match your exact vehicle. The following checks help avoid mistaken assumptions, especially if your optics have been swapped or upgraded.

• Look up the window sticker or MSRP listing for your vehicle to see the headlamp type listed as part of the equipment package.


• Check the owner’s manual’s lighting section for a specification that names the headlight type (HID, LED, or Halogen).


• Provide your VIN to a Subaru dealer or use Subaru’s online build sheet resources to pull the original headlamp configuration.


• Ask a certified technician to verify headlamp type during a service appointment, particularly if you’re considering replacements or upgrades.

Concluding: When in doubt, your local dealer or trusted repair shop can confirm the exact headlight technology for your exact Outback by VIN and model year.

Summary

In short, HID headlights are not universal in the Outback family; they appear on specific trims and years. By looking for a ballast, testing the headlight’s startup and color, checking bulb markings, and consulting official documentation, you can determine whether your vehicle uses HID. If you plan maintenance or upgrades, knowing the precise headlight type ensures compatibility and proper replacement parts.

How do I find out what type of headlights I have?

You can determine your headlight type by looking at the color and speed of the light, checking the car's manual or VIN, or inspecting the bulb itself once it's removed. Halogen lights are yellowish and turn on instantly, HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights are bright white-blue and have a slight delay to warm up, and LED lights are a bright white and turn on instantly with no delay. 
You can watch this video to learn how to identify different types of headlights: 37sCarParts.comYouTube · Nov 8, 2024
Method 1: Check the light's appearance and behavior

• Halogen: Yellowish-white light that turns on instantly. 
• HID (or Xenon): Bright white light with a bluish tint that takes a few seconds to reach full brightness. 
• LED: Very bright white light that turns on instantly with no warm-up time. 

Method 2: Consult your vehicle's information

• Vehicle manual: Check your car's owner's manual for specific details on the lighting system.
• VIN number: Contact your dealership with your vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to get information directly from the manufacturer. 

Method 3: Inspect the bulb (if you are comfortable removing it) 

• Check for markings: Look for a bulb number (like H7, 9006, or H11) printed directly on the bulb or its housing. 
• Examine the bulb: Halogen bulbs have a distinctive look with a filament, while HID bulbs are different and can sometimes be seen with a glass capsule. 
• Note: LEDs are often not removable and require replacing the entire assembly. 

This video demonstrates how to check for markings on the headlight housing: 54sHelpful DIYYouTube · Oct 5, 2024

How do I know if I have HID headlights?

You can tell if you have HID headlights by checking the markings on the headlight lens or housing for codes like D1S, D2S, D3S, or D4S, looking for a ballast box on the back of the headlight assembly, or observing the light's color, which is typically a very bright white or with a bluish tint compared to the yellower glow of halogen bulbs. The easiest visual method is to check your car's owner's manual or the headlight assembly itself for these specific markings. 
This video demonstrates how to visually inspect your headlights to determine if they are HID: 57sBoosted FilmsYouTube · Jan 19, 2020
Check for HID markings

• Look for codes printed or molded on the headlight lens or housing itself. 
• Codes like D1S, D2S, D1R, D2R, D3S, or D4S specifically indicate an HID bulb type. 
• If you see markings like H11 or H7, it's a halogen bulb, not an HID. 

Look for the ballast 

• HID bulbs require a ballast to operate, which is a small electronic box usually located underneath or on the side of the headlight assembly.
• You will typically have one ballast per headlight.
• The presence of a ballast, or the wires connecting to it, is a clear indicator of an HID system. 

Examine the color and brightness of the light 

• Color: HID headlights produce a very bright, white light that may have a slight bluish tint. Halogen bulbs have a more yellowish or golden hue. 
• Brightness: HID lights are significantly brighter than halogen bulbs. 
• Warm-up time: HID lights take a few seconds to reach their full brightness, whereas LED and halogen lights turn on instantly. 

Consult your car's documentation

• Check your owner's manual for a list of the correct bulb types for your vehicle.
• If all else fails, provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a dealership to get a definitive answer on the factory-installed equipment. 

What is the Subaru Outback headlight lawsuit?

Plaintiff Kathleen O'Neill filed the lawsuit in federal court this week stating that the exterior lighting bulbs on the 2010 and 2011 Subaru Outback vehicles are “defective due to interference within the lighting assembly and overvoltage in the lighting circuits.”

What type of headlights does a 2015 Subaru Outback have?

Halogen Headlights
With Factory Halogen Headlights.