Subaru Outback Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 335 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Subaru Outback across 27 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (117). The words owners use most often: “low beam” (29% of reports).
- 335exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 45%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 97 of 335 complaints (29%)
- High beams: mentioned in 34 of 335 complaints (10%)
- Headlight bulbs: mentioned in 23 of 335 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Subaru Outback at $200, and half of them between $140 and $270.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 214 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 335 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 4 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 (2)
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking; exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2015
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 2010, 2011
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.
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights became inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the daytime running light module needed to be replaced…
"I own a 2018 Subaru Outback VIN [XXX] . I have experienced a recurring failure with the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) three times within the same year. In January 2026, I brought my vehicle to the dealership and had to replace the TPMS sensors. Shortly after, the issue returned and I had…
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle, the brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. While returning to the vehicle after the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start due…
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate the road ahead while going uphill or downhill. The contact had to activate the high beam headlights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired…
The headlights ... and: and; yes it is available for inspection at any time, preferably at night!!! If you look at the photos attached you can see when headlights are on there is little or no visibility and what you see is what appears to be like a black line. We live in a very rural area and can…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 335 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Subaru Outback. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Outback exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Subaru Outback?
Owners report a typical cost of $200 (half paid between $140 and $270), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 97 of 335 complaints, followed by “high beams” (34).
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,760)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Engine problems (718)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (530)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
See all Subaru Outback problems.