The Subaru Forester's headlight bulbs are readily accessible through the rear of the headlight assembly. As such, you do not have to remove any extraneous parts or possess any special tools. This is good news for anyone whose Forester has a headlight that is burned out or broken. Replacing it shouldn't take you more than a few minutes.
Turn off your Forester's engine if it is on, and prop open the hood.
Look behind the headlight assembly for the black rubber cap that protects the back of the headlight. Remove this cap by pulling the edges of it inside out.
Press the two side tabs of the wiring harness that was revealed when you removed the cap, and pull the wiring harness off the rear of the headlight assembly.
Remove the rubber boot that the wiring harness was connected to.
Press inward on the retaining spring that holds the headlight bulb in the socket. Pull the headlight free from the socket and insert the replacement headlight, taking care not to touch the glass with your fingers since the oil of your skin can damage the bulb. Replace the retaining spring to its original position, cover the opening with the rubber boot, plug it back in the wiring harness, and cover the harness with the rubber cap you took off earlier.
