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
Our 2011 subaru outback premium 2.5i has had to have both low-beam headlights replaced numerous times. Only the low-beam lights need to be replaced so often. I have done it myself several times, but accessing the light bulbs is a difficult process that requires going through the wheel well and doing everything by feel because it is impossible to see what you are doing. Now i just have a repair shop do it when i have…
ODI 10789064
Exterior Lighting
I have replaced the driver side low beam light now twice within 4000 miles. This is very concerning.
ODI 10778336
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I purchased the car (2011 outback) new in october of 2011. Since then headlights have been replaced at least 4 times and now (september 2015) other exterior lights are starting to fail. It appears this is a common problem. I replaced the driver's side headlight less than a month ago and it is already burned out again. This is a repeated problem and it seems that we're getting less and less life out of the headlights…
ODI 10775901
Exterior Lighting
Our 2011 subaru outback has had an excessive number of headlight bulbs burn out over the past 18 months. Over the past 18 months i have had to replace 4 headlight bulbs, 2 driver side and 2 passenger side. They have all occurred at different times and the vehicle has never been in an accident. This is becoming a safety issue with the vehicle and a costly repair. There must be something in the design of the automatic…
ODI 10736016
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
We were coming home from a fireworks display at night and my son told me to turn on my lights which already had done, and the low beams on both sides and the marker lights didn't work. I tried turning switch to all positions and they still didn't come on. The high beams work okay and turn signals front and back & brake lights work. We drove home with the fog lights which still work. We need the car to go on vacation…
ODI 10747854
Exterior Lighting
I have replaced my low beam headlights on this car 3 times since i purchased it and both low beam headlights go two weeks ago. So now it will be 5 times. I have had the car two years. Why am i replacing headlights so frequently. I had this problem with my car prior to this one, honda civic 2002. I alway had an extra bulb in the glove compartment so i would not get a ticket if stopped. I replaced it over 8 times from…
ODI 10958031
Exterior Lighting
I have a problem with the low beam headlights, subaru is aware and has warranted for 10 years to replace them. Well this happens about every 2 months and didn't start till i had the car for 5 years. The warranty starts from the time you bought the car which is 2011, so i have lost 5 years. I bought this car brand new off the lot. So after about the 6th time in a 8- to 1 year period, i asked subaru, why are you…
ODI 10950421
Exterior Lighting
I own two 2011 outbacks and each of them are consuming low beam headlights with at least 4 bulbs changed in under 50000 miles. I have filed a similar report for the other 2011 subaru outback i own and consider this issue serious based on the lack of life of the part regardless the type of bulb replaced. My previous 2003 outback never had a bulb changed in it, yet this vehicle is plagued with bulb issues and costs.…
ODI 10664886
Exterior Lighting
I have had to change the low beam headlight bulbs at least 3 or 4 times on this outback based on them burning out prematurely. I owned a 2003 outback that never had the headlights changed, and this is happening too frequently and is occurring on both 2011 outbacks i own. The most recent light failure was last night as the car started. The first failed while under warranty and was replaced by the dealer, and the…
ODI 10664883
Exterior Lighting
We have had to replace both front headlights multiple times since we bought our outback. It seems my wife is driving with one headlight way too often. I have researched this problem and we are not alone. Online i have found hundreds of other people with the same problem. I am convinced that this is a safety problem that needs to be addressed by subaru not to mention it's a huge financial burden since access to these…
ODI 10661776
Exterior Lighting
This car is subject to premature and frequent headlight burn out. For example, both headlamps were replaced by dealer in late january 2014. They both are burned out by december 2014, creating a very unsafe situation. *js
ODI 10661805
Exterior Lighting
This vehicle buns out a set of headlights each year. *tr
ODI 10655342
Exterior Lighting
Since the vehicle was purchased in 2011 we have lost both day time running lights, one tail light and the driver side head light twice. The driver side headlight issue happened within three months. This seems to only happen in cold weather (teens and twenties). We have received inspection tickets for this issue from the police. Looking on line there are several people complaining about headlight blowing very…
ODI 10680111
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Car was just inspected sept 2014. Three light bulbs replaced. Prior to this, we have been replacing lightbulbs every few months. It is expensive because we cannot change the front lights ourselves....it had to go into the shop. We actually now store bulbs in the glove box because the headlights burn out so often. Our mechanic said subaru has a problem with its wiring harness. Subaru needs to step up and address this…
ODI 10641100
Air Bags · Exterior Lighting
The airbag warning lite on the passenger side came on and stayed on for several minutes. After several trips the lite came on again and has stayed on. The result is that the bag is not able to deploy if there is any type of accident that involves the front end. This is very concerning to my family , i try to avoid anyone from riding in the front passenger seat. *tr
ODI 10678688
Exterior Lighting
I have a 2011 subaru outback great car the problem is i'm changing a low beam bulb every 6 to 8 months. My wife has a 2006 legacy wagon and i've only had 1 bulb go out. I called my subaru dealership i was told it was because i have running lights on the car. I told him i have running lights on my 06 legacy and don't have that problem. That was the end of our conversation . Maybe i'll call subaru in nj. Very helpful…
ODI 10683705
Exterior Lighting
Both the low beam headlight bulbs went out at the same time. It was nighttime, and i had no use of my car. I bought new bulbs from the auto parts store the following day. When i opened the manual to get instructions for the light bulb change, i found that the recommended advice is to bring in the car to the dealer! There are instructions for those willing to brave getting underneath the car! To change a light bulb!!…
ODI 10594457
Exterior Lighting
Headlights keep going out. This will be my 4th time replacing the headlight bulbs on this vehicle. *tr
ODI 10587448
Exterior Lighting
Burnout of front headlamps....twice in 6 months....when they are working they don't emit enough light......i have read many complaints from other owners about this issue.....why doesn't suburu address this....it is a huge safety issue!?
ODI 10780778
Exterior Lighting
Both of my headlights went out at the same time. High beams, fog lights still work. Tried replacing the bulbs with gloved hands and still not working. I have seen many other complaints on online forums about the same thing. Could be a wiring or fuse issue? *tr
ODI 10577578
Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlights only illuminate road to about 15 feet in front of car. Headlights were then adjusted by subaru dealer who stated they were at the max height. Lights now illuminate to about 25 feet in front of car. Extremely poor visibility at night. Subaru dealer said there is nothing more he can do. *tr
ODI 10560838
Exterior Lighting
Hello, my front headlights went out after having the vehicle for 3 years, i replaced them and then within the year of replacing, the one was burnt out again. I think there is a problem since i'll have replaced the light 3 times within 4 years. This is especially a pain since you have to take the tire off to replace a lightbulb. *tr
ODI 10662461
Exterior Lighting
This is a low beam headlight issue. I have replaced close to 6-8 low beam headlights over a year and half. No one can find the answer and subaru doesn't deem it to be a safety issue, although i disagree. I have had my battery tested for power surges and this is not happening. I've seen countless other postings from 2011 subaru owners and nothing is being done. The low beams are blowing and the projection of the…
ODI 10664184
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Purchased this car 7/2011. No problem with exterior headlights until about one year after purchase. Highbeams are fine. Never had to replace them. Running lights have never had an issue. Around 11/2012, regular headlights(both bulbs in the headlight housing )have been repeatedly replaced. In oct 2013, both bulbs on driver side were replaced. Went several weeks later for my state safety sticker, the small bulb needed…
ODI 10689604
Exterior Lighting
It is now three headlights in 24 months have burnt out. I would just like to know what the issue is with my car. *tr
ODI 10562611
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2011 Subaru Outback.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.