6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$110
Average Mileage:
85,000 miles
Total Complaints:
25 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced headlight (20 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. difficult and costly bulb replacement (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

May 122014

Outback Limited

  • CVT transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Replaced headlight for the 4th time. 2 bulbs burned out each side within 2-3 year period. Total pain to replace that can only be done at the dealership. Unless, you can take the front of the car apart and put it back together.

Do I want to buy a 2015 Subaru Outback? Well a Ford is looking real good.

- Robert L., Chattanooga, TN, US

problem #4

Oct 032013

Outback Limited 3.6L H6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,409 miles

You can't keep headlights in this car !! I even put more expensive ones in and they to burn out and it's not like you can change em yourself.

I have replaced low beam bulbs five times in less than two years and now off to replace one again.

The auto on sensor it way too sensitive. Over passes trigger them !!

- rod32p, Toronto, Ontario, canada

problem #3

May 232013

Outback 2.5i

  • Manual transmission
  • 27,097 miles

Second bulb to go out on this car. But figured I'd get a bulb & change it only to find out you need to remove the wheel lining & battery. After several hours trying over the course of a couple days we gave up and took it to the dealer. The dealer said we had broken the spring that holds the bulb in and they don't make just the spring. COME ON THEY DON'T MAKE A SPRING THAT IS VERY APT TO BE BROKEN ON THIS VERY HARD TO REPLACE BULB? the Dealer said we would have to purchase the entire head light unit for $400 or $500. we took it to the local dealer instead who had to remove the front bumper to replace the headlight bulb, but they were able to do it. But not covered under warranty as it should have been.Not to mention the time and effort involved.

Update: A 4th low beam headlight has now gone out in the 2 years 4 months - the other one went out just a month ago.

- charlotteak, Palmer, AK, US

problem #2

Jan 232012

Outback 2.5i

  • Manual transmission
  • 17,878 miles

burnt out r low beam light @15,000 miles

Seemed early for a bulb to be burnt out, so surprised

- charlotteak, Palmer, AK, US

problem #1

Jun 012012

Outback 2.5i

  • Manual transmission
  • 27,000 miles

It makes me furious that the design of the headlight on the 2011 Subaru Outback requires a trip to the garage to change a burnt out bulb.

- charlotteak, Palmer, AK, US