7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$70
Average Mileage:
100,350 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace bulbs (8 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #9

Jun 062023

Outback EPrev

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

click to see larger images

bulbs burning out bulbs burning out

Subaru has failed its owners of 2010-2013 by not admitting there is an issue with the electrical carriage for the exterior lighting. I have had to change my low beam headlight a couple of times. The first was covered by an extended warranty Subaru offered. But the other times it has cost me time and money.

I tried to change the headlight myself, spent about 3 hours, got the replacement lightbulb in by turning the tire all the way to the right, loosening the wheel well liner and front left bumper. I then felt my way in to the back of the headlight fixture - the only way to repace the bulb.

See the video, just one of many created to address this well known issue, included in this complaint.

However, now I cannot replace the white plastic cover over the back of the access to the light bulb. Finally, I'm giving in and taking it to a shop to finish. I'm waiting for the estimate now.

Why one cannot replace a headlight bulb without either removing the wheel or reaching through an entanglement of wires is a design flaw.

Why didn't they design it like other cars where headlights can be replaced in minutes from the front outside of the car?

So frustrating. This was my 3rd Outback. Not buying another Subaru again.

- Gwyneth I., Eugene, OR, US

problem #8

Sep 072019

Outback 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 190,000 miles

Although this is my first post on my low beams going out, it is the third time in two years I've had to replace them. What a pain when you have to take off the front tires to even get to the lights to be replaced. Obviously it's a problem Subaru needs to address and fix.

- Tim G., Taylors, SC, US

problem #7

Jul 082019

Outback 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

I've never replaced so many headlights on a vehicle - and they are a PITA to replace. The engineer(s) that allowed that design to be approved should be tarred and feathered.

- Bill N., Londonderry, NH, US

problem #6

Sep 012017

Outback 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 87,349 miles

My OEM headlamps lasted five years. Since 2016 I have replaced both front low beams twice in 20 months, the last time in September 2017, I replaced the left rear driving lamp for the first time in August, 2016. The Subie cannot keep its front low beams burning more than about 10-12 months. Huffines Subaru in Denton, TX quoted me $150 to replace the left front low beam bulb in September, 2017 because of the difficulty of access and the likelihood of 1 hour of labor charges. I smelled a rat.

The last time a dealer changed my right front low beam it cost me $72. I took it to my Porsche mechanic, who had the factory spec bulb in stock ($7). He spent five minutes removing the access panel in the fender well, popped in a new bulb and told me it was gratis, since it only took five minutes and I am a good customer. Certainly a better deal than Huffines Subaru offered me at $150! Dealers can be such scummy pirates! Subaru should research and remediate the high failure rate of its headlamps.

- Brian R., Lewisville, US

problem #5

Feb 102017

Outback LIM V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

This is the 6th bulb failure on this car's headlights, Never had a car with even a single headlight failure at this mileage. 4 times on left, 2 on right

very hard to change bulb, nearly 15-20 min but getting good at it.

- Larry S., Dix Hills, NY, US

problem #4

Sep 122013

Outback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

The headlights in my 2011 Subaru Outback have consistently under-performed, making driving unnecessarily dangerous and stressful through providing inadequate light on the road. I replaced the headlight bulbs myself a year or so ago, and after that experience, I absolutely DREAD having to replace the bulbs again. I am a 50 year old woman with thin arms, and by the time I had replaced the two headlight bulbs, my forearms were bruised and bleeding from scratches. I cannot imagine what a man's arms would look like in performing the same task. It is ridiculously difficult to replace the headlight bulbs, and because of poor design or some type of engineering problem, it needs to be done more frequently than should be the case.

I am in the market for a new car, and while I have been otherwise pleased with my Outback, this issue is causing me to explore options other than getting a second Outback. I am not surprised a class action lawsuit has been filed against Subaru related to this issue.

- Lisa K., Half Moon Bay, CA, US

problem #3

May 012016

Outback 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

As much as I love my Subaru Outback and as good as I feel it has been to me, I think Lexus is my next move. I cannot begin to tell you how often I've had to take the car in because the bulbs keep burning out. Headlights, brake lights, it doesn't seem to matter. My first bulb went out when I only had 20,000+ miles on the car.

Since then, it's been in three time and going back for the fourth in about an hour. The aggravation is further exasperated by the fact that each time a front light goes out, I'm out of $50 because it has to go to the shop to be virtually dismantled.

The whole situation is ludicrous. Subaru, what a shame to lost customers over what is probably a quick fix on your end.

- A H., Columba, MD, US

problem #2

Jan 092014

Outback 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,589 miles

I've had 4 bulbs burn out over a 3 year period of time. Two low beam headlamps two times. That's more than I've replaced in a lifetime of cars. The replacement bulbs should be a breeze but they are very difficult to put in. Had to have a garage do it. The price to fix is bulb is off the charts high too. $55 dollars. Poor design in my opinion. Head lamps should not be this difficult.

- dgutzman, Hendersonville, TN, US

problem #1

Jun 182015

Outback Limited 2.51

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

My 2011 Subaru Outback has had ongoing problems with light bulbs (headlight-brake light-parking lights) burning out. I just had my 60k service, had to replace 1 bulb and then 2 weeks later, my brake light and other parking light burned out. Back to Subaru to have them replaced. I had the same issue when I bought my 1999 Volvo V70. The Volvo dealer replaced the bulbs for free, and was able to work with the bulb maker to come up with a replacement bulb that didn't burn out. My Volvo also had a diagnostic light telling me when a bulb burns out.

With the Subaru, I had to pay for the bulbs and cost to replace them ($43 service charge to replace brake light and parking light). I asked the Outback Service rep about the diagnostic light. He said the 2011 doesn't have one nor does the 2015.

My feeling is that this is a dangerous situation, since both brake lights could both burn out and I wouldn't know it. Even if I checked the lights before I drove the care that day.

Nor do I feel I should have to pay for an obvious defect. Subaru needs to do a recall, fix the problem, but also install a diagnostic light in all Subaru models indicating when a light has burned out.

- Phil C., Hamden, CT, US