Problems with 2011 Subaru Outback 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 it in for regular maintenance. it is getting old saying, "oh yeah, can you replace my headlight that is out, too." there are numerous reports of headlight issues on various venues on the internet, and i have friends with a slightly older outback who have had both headlights go out at the same time. this is a fundamental piece of safety equipment that should not need to be replaced multiple times a year. in my 2003 kia rio, i have replaced headlights a total of two times in 12 years. on my outback, i think i am up to 8 headlight replacements (i have lost count) in 5 years. i fear that some night when my wife and children are driving home both headlights will go out and their safety will be jeopardized. i urge subaru to issue a recall for this dangerous issue.

I have replaced the driver side low beam light now twice within 4000 miles. this is very concerning.

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 as time goes on. the subaru dealer seems to think this is just an effect of driving with the headlights on (what am i supposed to do, drive without light?) and not an actual problem with the car.

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 headlight system design which is causing these failures.

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 and the dealer can't fix it right away as well as what it will cost there or if i have to have some else fix it. it's definitely a safety issue because the road we drive home on has very little if any lighting and there are twists and turns and you could easily drive into a stone outcropping or into he water at any point. i had my wife and two young nephews with us as well. i checked the lights again to make sure what ones were out, i checked the fuses as well to see if something had blown and they were okay.there have been multiple complaints on this and other websites about the subaru lights. with all the recalls of every vehicles of every 'description, the whole auto industry is totally out of control and needs to be reigned in, it's a huge safety and overall quality issue not to mention the millions of work hours and time lost by tens of thousands of people having to deal with problem

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 2002 to 2015. i am wondering if the manufacturer is the same. i should not have to replace headlights so often. plus, i cannot change myself on this car so i have to pay the dealer to replace. i cannot afford this in this economy.

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 putting a band aid on this problem and not fixing the issue. the service manager @ south blvd subaru in charlotte nc stated that it's a lot cheaper for them to change the lights than to fix the problem, that is not my problem. i buy cars and i drive them till the wheels fall off, so it is an inconvenience for me to have to go there about every 2 months and have this headlight replaced. and my 6 years are already gone for the warranty since i didn't start having problems till now. so in 2021 i have to start buying the headlights, which are not cheap or if i go to sell the car i have to tell the person, by the way, the headlights need to be replaced, that lowers the value of my car. it is not right that they know there are issues and will not fix it. this should be recall and all these cars need to be fixed and not handled this way. i will never buy another one for this reason.

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 second one failed with 100 miles out of warranty and was not replaced by the dealer. this is an issue that needs to be addressed. *tr

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. *tr

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 bulbs is difficult even for repair shops. *js

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

This vehicle buns out a set of headlights each year. *tr

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 quickly. also, subaru has a very poor design for allowing owners to replace their own headlights. you have to take it to the dealership where the inner fender well has to be removed and then it is a very tight space to reach the headlight to replace it. this can get very expensive to the consumer as well as being a huge safety issue. *tr

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 as i see it is a common complaint here. *tr

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

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 group. i worked with them when i had head gasket issues. *tr

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!! i am fortunate because i work in the daytime, and dst has already started. otherwise i would find it necessary to get a tow to a shop! for a light bulb! headlights are necessary for safe and legal driving at night. just as i shouldn't need an auto repair shop to change a tire, nor should i need a hydraulic car lift to change a light bulb!! this is something that anyone willing to get a little grease on their fingers should be able to accomplish at anytime at any place so that the car will be road worthy and the driver and passengers will be able to make it to their destination safely. i hope this "engineering" catastrophe will be addressed and rectified. *tr

Headlights keep going out. this will be my 4th time replacing the headlight bulbs on this vehicle. *tr

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!?

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

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

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

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 light is not adequate for night time driving. something has to be done. i've also had a situation where both high beam lights blew out at the same time. that only happened once. the replacement costs are adding up because the low beam light is impossible to do without being put on a lift at the garage. thank you. *tr

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 to be replaced on the driver side. then in feb 2014, the large bulb on the driver side burnt out and was replaced. may 2014, both lights on the passenger side where out. replaced them. these needed to be done at a garage each time. jan 2015, both replaced on the passenger side.now, feb 12, 2015 and again, both on the passenger side are out, and need replacing. going to try more heavy duty bulbs. husband has learned how to replace the bulbs through the wheel well. i have paperwork for at least 7- 8 bulbs in 3 1/2 yrs needing replacement. think subaru needs to acknowledge a problem in exterior lights in the subaru 2011. *tr

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. while driving at an unknown speed with the low beam headlights activated, the passenger side headlight failed to illuminate. the contact continued to drive with the high beams engaged. the contact replaced the headlight bulb. three months later, the driver side low beam bulb failed and needed to be replaced. the driver and passenger side low beam bulbs were replaced four times. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

After owning this vehicle barely 2 years, the 1st headlight (driver side) bulb blew out. to replace it at the dealership was $90 due to the difficulty of reaching the bulb housing - so i was told. then about 3-4 months later the other headlight (passenger side) went out. then about 6 months later the rear light bulb went out. around 2 months ago (12/20/2014) the driver side head light went out again and then passenger side went out last friday (1/17/2015). this is a great vehicle overall, but i have never owned a vehicle that i'm constantly replacing headlights (front or rear). this is very annoying, expensive and dangerous. *tr

Passenger side headlight has burnt out 6 times; subaru denies any underlying issues, keep replacing the headlight; no more warranty as this point; main concerns are safety and nuisance. *tr

The passenger's-side low beam headlight burned out a week ago and was replaced by the dealer. one week later, the driver's-side low beam headlight burned out. the car only has 15,000 miles presently. the dealer reports that this is a common occurrence in late-model outbacks. i live in alaska where the use of headlights is mandatory on some roads. frequent and unanticipated loss of the headlights is a safety hazard as well as costly. *tr

Low beam headlights keep burning out both sides. lights burn out independently of each other. so far have replaced lights 3 times 6 in total. problem reported as an issue in subaru forumn

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. the contact stated that the headlights and the taillights failed intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the headlights and taillights needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure an stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v602000 (exterior lighting). the approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

We have owned this subaru since new. the original headlight bulbs burnt out at 58,000 miles. since then i have had to replace the bulbs every two to three months, using the subaru recommended h7 bulbs from sylvania. the car has burnt through at least one dozen light bulbs.

I have had the car since august 2010 and the low light beams keep burning out. i have had to replace one or the other three times now. this time the new bulb lasted less than a year. and last year i also had to replace one of the high beams. i have never owned a car that needed headlights replaced so often (actually i've never had to replace a headlight on any other vehicle i've owned). also, i have to bring it to a dealer every time this needs to be done because it's too difficult to change myself. it's very inconvenient. there are many other people who have the same complaint so it leads me to think it's a fault that should be addressed. other than this, i love my car! *tr

The lowbeam headlamps on this vehicle have an unusually short lifespan. on several occasions, both driver and passenger side headlamps have failed within a few days of one another leading to an unsafe vehicle condition. the dealer and subaru have refused to perform free diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the headlamp failures and short lifespan. *tr

Manufacturer recall number wqe41; nhtsa recall number 12v602000.puddle lights for 2011 subaru outback. in january 2013, i received a recall notice from subaru. . since receiving the recall notice, i have made numerous, really, numerous, attempts to have this recall addressed by my local subaru dealer. all attempts to have this recall addressed have been unsuccessful. i have been repeatedly told that the parts are on back order. my puddle lights have ceased working which is an indicator of an electrical short within the electrical system which may result in smoke or fire according to the ntsb. on april 8, 2017 my latest attempt to get a definitive answer from my local subaru concerning repair of the puddle lights and completion of the recall was again unsuccessful.

Driver side low beam headlight failed at about 29,000 miles. passenger side low beam headlight failed at ~32,000 miles (roughly 3 months time elapsed between events). *tr

Head lights continually burning out

Driver side headlamp burned out, replaced at dealership and 12 weeks later the passenger side headlamp burned out. i am shocked that a vehicle with only 20,000 miles would already have two headlamps burn out within weeks of each other. dealership denies any knowledge of a problem with headlamps even though internet is flooded with similar complaints. *tr

I have now replaced 3 low beam light bulbs in my car within the last 6 months. two on the left and one on the right. this is a huge safety issue. bulbs should not burn out this quickly and repeatedly. *tr

The car's headlights burn out at a very frequent rate. replacing them is very inconvenient and time consuming since you have to remove the wheels in order to get access. dealer charges $100.00 to replace. something must be wrong with the electrical system since my other subaru has needed only one replacement since 2004. *tr

We are experiencing chronic headlight, taillight and brake light burn out issues. we have had the right headlight replaced twice and the left headlight replaced once as well as the taillight and break lights replaced once since november of 2012. we do not live on a bumpy road or have any other odd driving conditions. we drive our car only on normal paved roads in a suburban environment. our subaru dealer has not been able to resolve this problem. we believe this is a major safety issue as we never know when the lights are going to burn out. *tr

I am on my third set of headlight bulbs car is 23 months old and bulbs keep burning out. never had a problem like this. many other owners have the same issue and no resolution has been found. this is the low beam bulbs that burn out. not at the same time usually within 2-4 weeks of each other. *tr

I have replaced my headlight bulbs 3 times for each headlight and i only have 88,000 miles on my car.

I keep replacing headlight bulbs and they keep burning out friday we had to drive a mountain road with fog lights only because they both burned out. there must be a problem as it is happening all to often. *tr

My vehicle is only 4 years old and i've replaced the low beam bulbs 4 times. it is not driven in harsh conditions and i average 14-15000 miles per year. the mechanics and service personnel at the dealership admit it's a problem with subaru outbacks. i've found many reports and complaints of other owners experiencing the same bulb failures. the frequency of the bulb failure obviously presents a safety concern when driving at night. i would like subaru to correct this design flaw and reimburse me for previous and future repairs associated with this issue.

The low beam headlights have burned out twice. the car is a 2011 subaru outback, and it has less than 30,000 miles on it. the headlight setting is not kept on the "auto" setting. (some claim using the auto setting causes the lights to switch on-and-off more causing additional wear to the headlight.) the headlights were installed by a dealer, so it can be assumed they were installed to correct subaru specifications. the commute to and from work every day is a sinuous, tree-lined road, with the occasional deer crossing. during this time of year, the commute to and from work is in the dark. having one or both headlights burn out is a safety issue; driving with the high-beams on just to see the road is also a safety issue and is illegal. *tr

Since may of 2012, my wife has had to replace the low beam light bulbs on both the driver and passenger side no fewer than six times. this is a terrible issue with the vehicle, as driving with one bulb is both dangerous and illegal. it is also prohibitively expensive to continue replacing these bulbs as the access to them is convoluted at best. subaru needs to acknowledge that this is a recurrent problem with the vehicle, and that it puts its customers at risk. a recall must be issued before there is a fatality, not afterwards. *tr

The first time the headlight went out was during the cold months two years ago and it was on the driver's side. a year later (2013) , the passenger's side headlight went out. i just replaced the driver's side headlight again on november 2, 2014. i have never had a vehicle, nor heard of anyone i know having a vehicle, that requires annual headlight replacements. *tr

I have to replace the low beam head lights all the time ( 6 times since buying car) driver side 4 times passenger side 2 times. *tr

Headlamps (either side) tend to go out yearly. this is ridiculous! in addition, in order to change them out yourself, you need to have little girl hands. not only is this a nuisance, but a safety issue. i can barely see with one lamp out and there are deer everywhere...right now it's freezing in denver and i do not have access to a heated garage to fiddle with this for an hour. subaru needs to get on their horse and address this wiring issue. it is a wiring issue. no other explanation! *tr