2011 Subaru Outback Exterior Lighting Problems
- 112
- 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.
Among these 112 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- passenger side · 20 records
- beam headlights · 18 records
- headlight bulbs · 17 records
- beam headlight · 15 records
- safety issue · 12 records
- side beam · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 24 |
| 30–60k mi | 23 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Exterior Lighting
Low beams just burnt out using auto setting, this happened while the car was parked overnight!!
ODI 10924454
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Ongoing failure of both passenger and driver side headlamps. Same complaint that others have documented that this is an ongoing issue and the headlamps are difficult to replace. Serious safety hazard and can also lead to traffic violations. Subaru needs to provide a fix, not just a one-time reimbursement of replacement headlamps.
ODI 10920385
Exterior Lighting
Multiple headlight failure since car was new. Atleast one headlight goes out every three months.
ODI 10915772
Exterior Lighting
Right back brake light blew out. Car has been having alot of various lighting problems since purchased in 2011. Not sure when it blew out, someone in a parking lot told me it was out.
ODI 10899196
Exterior Lighting
Multiple head light failures rotates between drivers side and passenger side at least one light goes out very three months.
ODI 10915771
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Frequent replacement of low beam bulbs. Not easy to replace and subaru service best equipped to do procedure. Labor costs at various dealers for this service widely vary and can increase without reason. Subaru of america recently sent out letter saying warranty on bulbs has been extended (not that there is issue with electrical system). Soa will replace or refund, however, this does not solve the issue of continued…
ODI 10901962
Exterior Lighting
Have to replace a low beam light every year, just on the passengers side. When changing bulb i wear gloves ,not to touch my skin on the bulb. There really should be a recall on this. Every time i get a bulb they say subaru is known for this. This happens every year since i purchace the car.
ODI 10885200
Exterior Lighting
I have replaced many headlight bulbs. Now it seems, i am replacing a headlight bulb about every 3 months!
ODI 10883187
Exterior Lighting
I have replaced both left & right side headlight low beam bulbs at least 6-7 times since the car was new. One occasion they were both out and my wife drove home with only the parking lights on (she said "it sure is dark on route 9a"). I'm not sure i saved all the receipts, but i bet autozone has records withmy rewards account.
ODI 10919672
Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlights burn out approximately every 3-6 months. About to replace a bulb for the 6th time.
ODI 10872471
Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlights burn out - continuing problem and replacement involves a poorly designed access method requiring removal of wheel well plastic to get to the light bulb. Vehicle is not safe with lights that burn out
ODI 10874294
Air Bags · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
Airbag recall this recall was in june and subaru it not taking any appointments to fix the problem.
ODI 10916389
Exterior Lighting
Replaced low beam head light on passenger side,8months later needs to be replaced again. This also affects the daytime driving lights even thought the high beam lights are used at a reduced power for driving lights. High beam now does not work on passenger side. This happens in all operating conditions,with or without automatic light control on or off.
ODI 10870000
Exterior Lighting
I have to replace my low-beam headlight every 3-4 months at a very expensive cost. This is very frustrating and a severe safety issue.
ODI 10865305
Exterior Lighting
My low beam headlights both went out at the same time. After some research, it appears that this is a problem with the vehicle.
ODI 10874724
Exterior Lighting
I have had to have the headlight bulbs (low-beams) replaced a minimum of 4 times over the past two years. The passengers side was first...then a few months later the driver's side. This continues for no apparent reason. Last night leaving work...the passenger side is out again. I cannot believe i am the only subaru owner who has experienced this problem. Replacing them is no easy task as after investigating, you…
ODI 10838874
Exterior Lighting
The headlights have failed several times. The dealer has replaced them, because, due to the front end design, it is impossible to do it yourself. The dealer stated that the headlights fail because the front end design allows the lights to overheat.
ODI 10865777
Exterior Lighting
This is 4th time that the headlight blows out. If it's not the headlight its the point lights. I filed a complaint on dec. 04, 2015 about other complaints. Just noticed that the passenger side headlight blew out again while driving on local road at night the other night. Jan. 29, 2016. High beams work, low beam is out. This is getting frustrating and subaru dealer tells me there are not recalls. I am sick of paying…
ODI 10823420
Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlight bulbs fail prematurely. Necessary to frequently replace (less than 12 month service life).
ODI 10820650
Exterior Lighting
Purchased subaru outback 2011 new. At approximately 65,000 miles low beam front headlights began to burn out quickly: 4 replaced over about 14 months. Experienced an episode 1/8/16 where all front lights completely failed in the park and drive position but left low beam headlight worked intermittently when car was in reverse. All front headlights but 2 worked the following day when at the dealership. Brake/rear car…
ODI 10821899
Exterior Lighting
Headlights on 2011 subaru outback continue to blow. Replaced all front lights multiple times. Reckless endangerment of their customers and will cause crashes as lights go out while driving vehicle. So far only one has gone out at a time for i am not holding my breath. Appears that this is a very common issues that subaru fails to stand behind the issue. Customers should not be forced into purchasing only subaru…
ODI 10809931
Exterior Lighting
Headlights on 2011 subaru outback since owning it has blown out 3 times and pointer light has gone out 1 time. I am not sure if i am driving or if they blow when i put the lights on. This is getting frustrated and i do not hear or see of a recall for the problem. I see alot of complaints, but again, no recalls to fix the problem. Subaru keeps taking my money to fix the problem. Will not be buying anymore subaru's.
ODI 10808442
Exterior Lighting
Subaru outback headlamp light bulbs burn out every 6 weeks or so even after careful replacement. There are many many complaints on this safety issue. Yet no recallordered? I don't get it!
ODI 10807243
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Power Train
Ascended steep hill and stopped at stop sign. Processed to drive through intersection uphill. All lights on dash began to flicker on and off and car stalled out going down the road. After this occurred, i lost all electrical functions of car. I was not able to restart car, place car into park, apply emergency brake, turn on hazard lights, and the power brakes and steering were not present. I spent 5-7 minutes trying…
Fire reported
ODI 10837474
Exterior Lighting
I have had to replace my headlight 6 times in the past 6 months. I replaced it last week and noticed today it is already out again. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle because every time i have to replace a bulb it is $40 with labor and cost of bulb.
ODI 10794997
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2011 Subaru Outback.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.