2009 Subaru Outback Exterior Lighting Problems
- 9
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- wiring harness · 4 records
- license plate · 4 records
- rear wiper · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
| 60–100k mi | 1 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
There is a well documented faulty design issue that leads to failure of the wiring harness (rear gate cord) to the rear wagon door/gate of this model subaru ouback wagons. Failure of the wiring harness has affected me while driving the vehicle. As this issue has progressed, more and more wires break, completely severed, and lead to the rear lock not working, then backup lights not working, rear defroster not…
ODI 11156814
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
After fuses blown repeatedly and replaced, rear wiper, washer pump and lock ceased to operate for perhaps a year. Recently the headlights got real funky - would not operate in normal "on" position. But then some strange behavior when shifted into reverse (ignition on without starting to allow shifting). Headlights still not lit in either off or on position, but then came on as switch moved back from headlights on to…
ODI 10938409
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Rear hatch wiring has worn to the point of fully breaking four and damaging five other wires out of approximately 14 total going through the flexible boot between the body and the hatch on the passenger side of the vehicle. Systems affected: rear wiper, rear lock, possibly the brake light and license plate lights. This was damage incurred over time of normal use, opening the hatch no more than once per day.
ODI 10837345
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
The rear gate wiring harness failed, causing rear brake lights and tail lights to stop working. Without replacing the rear gate wiring harness ($88.80 parts + $448.80 labor + 51.07 tax) soon the rear wiper and defrost would not work and the back hatch would lock. This is a serious safety issue, i want to see a recall and reimbursement of $588.67 from subaru of america.
ODI 10806525
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
Individual wires in the harness powering and controlling the brake, turn, backup, and license plate lights, and the rear wiper motor and washer pump, may fail without warning. This failure could result in an rear end collision or impairing vision out the rear window in inclement weather. The point of failure is inside the flexible rubber boot protecting the harness where it passes from the rear frame of the main…
ODI 11011485
Exterior Lighting
The headlights on our outback burn out frequently. We have had multiple different headlights burn out (at least 5) over the years that we've had the car. On each occurance the light burned out when the vehicle was started and not while driving. One time both headlights burned out simultaneously when starting the car and we had to drive back home from out of town with our brights on the entire time so we could see.
ODI 10789092
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Started my car at night to find out my headlights would not turn on, but the safely lights were still on. Upon further inspection, the brake lights and reverse lights would not work either. The lights above my rear license plate had been out for a couple of weeks also so i am not sure if that is related as well. Looked on-line to find out many other subaru outback owners had a similar problem and suggested looking…
ODI 10520538
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 subaru outback. The contact stated that he had difficulty seeing the road while driving at night with the low beam headlights on. The headlights failed to illuminate brightly enough to provide proper visibility of the roadway. An authorized dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000.
ODI 10440584
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
The headlights on this vehicle are grossly inadequate when using lower beams. I have contacted subaru and was told that there is no problem. I contacted the local dealer and was informed that they are aware of the problem, but nothing can be done - it is a subaru engineering decision to have that 'quality' of headlight. *tr
ODI 10567509
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2009 Subaru Outback.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.