Buy Subaru WRX Parking, Corner, Side Marker, Signal Light

Key Points

A turn-signal light-also called a blinker, indicator lamp, flasher, or direction light-tells other drivers when your Subaru WRX will turn or change lanes. It sits in the corners of the head- or tail-lamp housings, uses a bright amber (or sometimes red) bulb or LED, and blinks at about 60 - 120 flashes per minute to meet U.S. safety rules. Keeping these lamps working and easy to see lowers crash risk, keeps you legal under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, and gives the sport-sedan its sharp "C-shape" style in newer models. (NHTSA, Carscoops)

How It Works

The WRX flasher relay counts electrical load. When a bulb burns out or you install low-draw LEDs, the relay sees less current and speeds up-this "hyper-flash" warns you of a problem. (Reddit, The Retrofit Source Blog) Modern 2022-on WRX models hide the relay in the instrument-panel fuse area, while older cars place it behind the steering column. (Reddit)

Bulb Sizes

• 2015-2021 WRX front: 7440 or 7443 wedge base. (ManualsLib)
• Rear turns on the same years use 7440, shared with the tail/stop housing.
• 2001-2014 models often use 1156 for the front bumper lamp and 7440 in back-check your owner's manual pages marked "Bulb Chart." (ManualsLib, ManualsLib)

LED Upgrades

LED "switchback" bulbs glow white as a running light, then switch to amber when you signal. They last up to 25 × longer than filament bulbs and cut power draw by ~80 %. (Reddit, Sparksmith Custom Lighting) To stop hyper-flash you can:

1. Plug in an LED-specific flasher module (simplest, but module must match the WRX relay socket). (Wrangler TJ Forum, YouTube)
2. Wire 6 Ω, 50 W load resistors in parallel with each lamp (universal fix; mount resistors on metal). (The Retrofit Source Blog)

Style Updates

The 2022 WRX gained slim "claw-shaped" LED headlights with built-in sequential turn signals that sweep outward, mimicking rally cars while improving side visibility. (Carscoops, YouTube) Earlier 2015-2021 models can add similar sweeping signals by swapping the mirror caps or head-lamp modules for aftermarket sequential units. (, NASIOC)

Safety Rules

• FMVSS 108 says front and side turn lamps must shine amber; rear lamps may be amber or red. (NHTSA)
• NHTSA studies show amber rear signals cut certain rear-end crashes by about 5 %. (Crash Stats, IIHS)
• Blink rate must stay between 60 and 120 flashes per minute; faster or slower can fail inspection. (Reddit)

Common Problems

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Sources for diagnosis include Subaru owner forums and service manuals. (Reddit, ManualsLib, NASIOC)

Simple Install Steps

1. Turn off ignition and remove key.
2. Open hood or trunk and locate the socket behind the lens. (ManualsLib)
3. Twist socket ¼ turn counter-clockwise and pull it out.
4. Press tab and remove bulb.
5. Use gloves to seat new bulb (or align LED polarity marks).
6. Test before re-installing the socket.

Torque small lens screws to 1.3 lb-ft (18 N·m) to avoid cracking the polycarbonate lens. (Subaru Tech Info, ManualsLib)

Care Tips

• Wipe the clear lens with mild soap-harsh cleaners craze plastic.
• Swap both front or both rear bulbs together so brightness matches.
• Check blinkers at every oil change (about 6 000 miles) for safety.
• Add dielectric grease to the socket to stop moisture and corrosion.

Compatibility

Turn-signal assemblies are largely the same across WRX and WRX STI trims of the same generation, but pay attention to:

• Body style - Sedan vs. old 5-door hatch.
• Year split - 2014 (GD) to 2015 (VA) changed bulb counts.
• Global vs. U.S. spec - Japanese-market cars use a mirror-mounted repeater that U.S. cars lack. (ManualsLib, Carscoops)

Safety Benefits

Bright, fast-reacting signal lamps cut reaction time of following drivers by up to 200 ms and lower rear crashes. (IIHS, Wikipedia) Sequential LEDs add a "motion cue" that helps the eye spot lane changes sooner. (YouTube)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my 2017 WRX blink twice as fast after I put in LEDs?
A: The car thinks a bulb is blown because LEDs pull less power. Use an LED-rated flasher or add 6 Ω resistors to each turn-signal circuit. (The Retrofit Source Blog)

Q: Are amber bulbs required in front?
A: Yes. FMVSS 108 lets rear lamps be red or amber, but front and side markers must be amber for visibility. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I run white "switchback" signals only?
A: No. They must shine amber while flashing. White is allowed only as a running/parking light.

Q: How often should I change bulbs?
A: Standard filament bulbs last around 2 000 hours; that's roughly every 2-3 years of normal driving. LEDs can last 20 000 hours or more. (Sparksmith Custom Lighting)

Q: Do red rear blinkers work as well as amber?
A: Tests show amber rear signals cut some rear impacts by about 5 %. Many WRX owners retrofit amber tails for that reason. (Crash Stats, IIHS)

Q: Where is the flasher relay in a 2022 WRX?
A: It is integrated into the instrument-panel fuse block behind the driver's lower dash panel. (Reddit)

Q: My lens is foggy-can I polish it?
A: Yes. Use a plastic-safe polish kit and finish with UV-sealant to keep the polycarbonate clear.

Q: Are sequential mirrors legal?
A: As long as they flash amber and meet brightness rules, adding side-mirror repeaters is legal in all U.S. states. (NHTSA)

Q: Do I need to disconnect the battery to change a bulb?
A: It is not required but prevents short circuits, especially when upgrading wiring or adding resistors.

By understanding how your WRX's turn-signal lights work, choosing the right bulbs, and following simple upkeep steps, you keep your rally-bred Subaru looking sharp and signaling safely on every drive.