2011 Subaru Outback Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2011 Subaru Outback, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 52,900 miles. The words owners use most often: “low beam” (42% of reports).
- 117exterior lighting complaints
- 52,900median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 49 of 117 complaints (42%)
- Headlight bulbs: mentioned in 16 of 117 complaints (14%)
- High beams: mentioned in 10 of 117 complaints (9%)
- Headlights burn: mentioned in 8 of 117 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 86 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 117 complaints, 1 a fire.
Subaru Outback exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 3 | 4% | 71 |
| 2024 Outback | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Outback | 6 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Outback | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Outback | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Outback | 16 | 2% | 6,025 |
| 2019 Outback | 11 | 1% | 14,338 |
| 2018 Outback | 9 | 1% | 22,000 |
| 2017 Outback | 7 | 1% | 27,000 |
| 2016 Outback | 5 | 1% | 8,000 |
| 2015 Outback | 4 | 1% | 250 |
| 2014 Outback | 7 | 3% | 51,500 |
| 2013 Outback | 8 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 2012 Outback | 18 | 6% | 64,000 |
| 2011 Outback | 117 | 18% | 52,900 |
| 2010 Outback | 35 | 10% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Outback | 10 | 9% | 62,000 |
| 2008 Outback | 15 | 7% | 70,500 |
| 2007 Outback | 6 | 5% | 64,200 |
| 2006 Outback | 4 | 1% | 57,500 |
| 2005 Outback | 30 | 11% | 66,389 |
| 2003 Outback | 2 | 2% | 76,500 |
| 2002 Outback | 3 | 2% | 150,000 |
| 2000 Outback | 4 | 2% | 193,500 |
| 1998 Outback | 3 | 2% | 75,462 |
| 1997 Outback | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 Outback | 1 | 2% | 80,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Risk: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Low headlamp bulb housing melted so bad it must be replaced at estimated dealer cost of $650. There is an extended warrantee for replacing the bulbs that have been burning out every 6-9 months. I believe they have been burning up due to a manufacturing defect in the housing that is not being…
Have had the low beam headlights blown multiple times on my subaru outback, 2011, at least 3-4 times each ones, left and right. Don't remember if i received a notification from subaru or saw it online about the same complaint from many owners and subaru having a fix for it. Took it to the…
Low beam head light burns out while driving on the the interstate highway. Replacing the bulb is not that easy. This is well known problem and subaru has been aware of the problem for last eight plus years. Instead of replacing the defective lighting system subaru has extended the warranty for 10…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 Subaru Outbacks have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 117 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2011 Subaru Outback (18% of the 652 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Subaru Outback exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 52,900 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2011 Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 49 of 117 complaints, followed by “headlight bulbs” (16).
Other 2011 Subaru Outback problems
- Power Train problems (216)
- Engine problems (85)
- Air Bags problems (73)
- Electrical System problems (67)
- Service Brakes problems (67)
See all 2011 Subaru Outback problems or exterior lighting problems across all Outback years.