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Subaru Forester Courtesy Step Light Bulb Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out courtesy step light bulb in the door panel of a 4th generation 2014-2018 Subaru Forester.

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2017 Forester Step Light
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Insert Flathead Screwdriver
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Pry Out Light Housing
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018) Subaru Forester SUV in changing a burnt out courtesy step light bulb located in the bottom of the plastic interior door panel.

Owners of other Subaru vehicles such as the Outback, Impreza, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, WRX, BRZ, SVX, Tribeca, Exiga, Trezia, Levorg and Baja may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement miniature wedge base light bulb is part number 2825 (also known as # W5W).

You could also choose to install a brighter 2825 LED bulb.

The only tool needed to access and change the light bulb is a small flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool.



 
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Push In Release Tab
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Power Plug Disconnected
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Pull Out Old Light Bulb
To prevent from scratching the plastic surfaces, cover the tip of your screwdriver with a thin micro fiber cloth or use a plastic pry bar tool.

Insert the blade of the screwdriver or plastic trim panel removal tool in to the notch at the front edge of the light housing.

Gently pry out the light housing and remove it from the underside of the plastic door panel.

Push in the release tab on the white plastic electrical connector before sliding the power plug straight out of the socket.

If the old light bulb was recently turned on, be careful when you remove it since it might still be hot enough to burn your fingers.

Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket.

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Old Light Bulb Removed
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Push In New Light Bulb
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Push In Power Plug



 

Push a new number 2825 light bulb straight into the socket.

If you would like to have brighter courtesy step lights, install a compatible LED bulb.

Push the power plug straight into the socket on the light housing.

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Re-Insert Wires First
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Pop In Retaining Clip
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Test New Step Light Bulb
Re-insert the wires and the rear edge of the light housing back into the opening on the underside of the door panel.

Then gently snap in the retaining clip on the front edge of the light housing.

If the new light bulb didn't turn on as soon as you plugged in the electrical connector, re-activate the interior lights by pressing the "Unlock" button on the key fob.

For more, please check out all of my 2014-2018 Subaru Forester DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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