Headlights Problems of Subaru Outback - part 2

Head light low beams continue to burnout, have had for 3 years. Have had to replace 3 low beam headlights in past year.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The low beam headlights burn out ever 8-10 months. No matter what type of bulb used, the low beam bulb overheats and burns itself out faster than any other car.

The headlight bulbs on my 2011 Subaru Outback "burnout" every 4-5 months. I addressed the issue with the the original dealer where the vehicle was purchased, to no satisfactory end. They basically said there was nothing they could do other than replace the bulbs. Since the first instance I have personally replaced the bulbs a minimum of a dozen times. The latest burnout occurred this weekend while driving in a snowstorm. The original dealer is no longer in business so I took it to a different dealer. They explained that there is now a "warranty extension" in place to replace the bulbs for a ten year period from the date of purchase. When I questioned what they were going to do to correct the obvious electrical problem, the service writer stated "there is nothing that can be done other than replacing the bulb". A subsequent call to Subaru of America produced nothing more than a "sir, we have extended the warranty for up to ten years to replace the bulbs" when I repeatedly questioned what was being done to fix the problem. I searched the internet and discovered this is a known issue that Subaru is doing absolutely nothing to rectify. They are band aiding the problem with the "extended warranty". This is a major safety issue when headlight bulbs just "burnout", almost always at the worst possible time. Is it going to take my vehicle burning to the ground due to an electrical short, voltage surge or whatever else is causing the burnouts, or worse yet a Subaru owner being involved in an accident, before Subaru initiates a recall to fix the issue they are well aware of.

Low beam headlights have needed to be replaced 4 times now (8 bulbs total). First time, it blew out about a year after purchase. Then the second 6 months after that. Third time about a year ago and the fourth time the headlight failed was today (November, 2016). Also my rear night time light also blew out this past August, 2016. Worst part is the difficulty of replacing the headlights. You have to remove the front bumper to get to the headlight compartment which just adds to the aggravation. Something like headlights should be considered a safety feature that needs to be easily replaceable by the car owner. Regardless of the difficulty in replacing the headlights, these lights should not need to be replaced as frequently as what I'm experiencing.

See all problems of the 2010 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The low beam headlamps are constantly burning out on my 2012 Subaru Outback. I have replaced the bulbs several times in the past two years, approximately every 3-6 months or 3,000-6,000 miles. One side burns out right after the other. I cannot say if the headlight bulbs burn out while driving or stationary; I drive mostly in daylight then notice the outage at night. Replacing the bulb involves removing the tire and having a mechanic or dealership perform the work. What should be an infrequent simple task is getting very expensive! I am primarily concerned about safety as the bulbs could easily both burn out while driving at night.

See all problems of the 2012 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Multiple headlight failure since car was new. Atleast one headlight goes out every three months.

I have replaced many headlight bulbs. Now it seems, I am replacing a headlight bulb about every 3 months!.

I have replaced both left & right side headlight low beam bulbs at least 6-7 times since the car was new. One occasion they were both out and my wife drove home with only the parking lights on (she said "it sure is dark on route 9a"). I'm not sure I saved all the receipts, but I bet autozone has records withmy rewards account.

Low beam headlights burn out approximately every 3-6 months. About to replace a bulb for the 6th time.

Low beam headlights burn out - continuing problem and replacement involves a poorly designed access method requiring removal of wheel well plastic to get to the light bulb. Vehicle is not safe with lights that burn out.

I have to replace my low-beam headlight every 3-4 months at a very expensive cost. This is very frustrating and a severe safety issue.

My low beam headlights both went out at the same time. After some research, it appears that this is a problem with the vehicle.

My low beam headlights last 3-6 months. I've replaced both drivers side and passenger side five times in three years.

Replacement of headlight bulb requires removal of wheel and partial removal of wheel well. This is a major safety design flaw. Headlights are obviously a key safety feature and replacement of the bulbs should not require service at an auto repair facility. One burned out bulb renders the car unusable for night and foul weather driving. This design flaw needs to be corrected and owners should be reimbursed for labor charges incurred for replacement of bulbs.

I have had to have the headlight bulbs (low-beams) replaced a minimum of 4 times over the past two years. The passengers side was first. . . Then a few months later the driver's side. This continues for no apparent reason. Last night leaving work. . . The passenger side is out again. I cannot believe I am the only Subaru owner who has experienced this problem. Replacing them is no easy task as after investigating, you have to go through the wheel well to get to it. Again. . . Both sides will now have been replaced 4 times withing the two years. Minor issue compared to the other complaints, but nevertheless a safety issue.

The headlights have failed several times. The dealer has replaced them, because, due to the front end design, it is impossible to do it yourself. The dealer stated that the headlights fail because the front end design allows the lights to overheat.

This is 4th time that the headlight blows out. If it's not the headlight its the point lights. I filed a complaint on Dec. 04, 2015 about other complaints. Just noticed that the passenger side headlight blew out again while driving on local road at night the other night. Jan. 29, 2016. High beams work, low beam is out. This is getting frustrating and Subaru dealer tells me there are not recalls. I am sick of paying and taking time to drive 45 minutes to the dealer to get this fixed all the time. Please do something. I have an appt. Tomorrow Feb. 2, 2016 with the dealer again to fix it. This seems to be an electrical problem.

Low beam headlight bulbs fail prematurely. Necessary to frequently replace (less than 12 month service life).

In less than 4 years, I have had to replace a headlight 4 times. On the 4 cars I owned/leased prior to this vehicle, I have never had to replace a headlight ever.

Replacement of headlight bulbs requires removal of front wheels, wheel wells, and bumpers. Headlights are a key safety feature on a vehicle. They should be easily accessible for maintenance and replacement at any time. As designed, if headlights fail while traveling at night it is essentially impossible for the driver to replace them to safely continue the voyage. This should be a safety recall and dealers should replace bulbs at no cost for service (parts only).

Headlights on 2011 Subaru Outback continue to blow. Replaced all front lights multiple times. Reckless endangerment of their customers and will cause crashes as lights go out while driving vehicle. So far only one has gone out at a time for I am not holding my breath. Appears that this is a very common issues that Subaru fails to stand behind the issue. Customers should not be forced into purchasing only Subaru replacement product to achieve safety. This sounds like extortion since it appears the only answer is to purchase Subaru original bulbs . This is getting frustrated and I do not hear or see of a recall for the problem. I see alot of complaints, but again, no recalls to fix the problem. Subaru keeps taking my money to fix the problem.

Headlights on 2011 Subaru Outback since owning it has blown out 3 times and pointer light has gone out 1 time. I am not sure if I am driving or if they blow when I put the lights on. This is getting frustrated and I do not hear or see of a recall for the problem. I see alot of complaints, but again, no recalls to fix the problem. Subaru keeps taking my money to fix the problem. Will not be buying anymore Subaru's.

I have had to replace my headlight 6 times in the past 6 months. I replaced it last week and noticed today it is already out again. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle because every time I have to replace a bulb it is $40 with labor and cost of bulb.

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.

Replacing low beam headlamp bulbs every 15k miles or less on this vehicle. 4th bulb in 3 yrs just burned out on 10/28/15. Occurs at random times - no pattern. Discontinued using the headlamp auto on/off feature and still no improvement in situation. Becoming a safety issue due to periods of having to drive with one headlight. Impossible for typical owner to replace low beam bulbs on their own due to difficulty of accessing headlight assembly.

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.

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.

Various external lights (eight) have needed to be replace. Car has only 50k miles on it. Unsafe to drive car at night when one of the headlights is non functional. Flashers not functioning is not safe when making a turn.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Projector beam headlights with sharp cut off. . . . . Low beam lights are bright and great on level straight road at moderate speeds, deviate from that and it is dangerous. Need further penetration for high speed driving. . Going downhill or on any slope and around curves limited visibility;;; . Downhill freeway cloverleaf on ramp, impossible to negotiate safely with low beam. . Depth of field 20 to 25 feet, extremely dangerous. Lights just cut off right in front of you. Have to turn on high beam to see. . . Also lights do not light up the sides of roads very well, would not be able to see wildlife very well. Limited visibility turning corners in residential driving, hard to see pedestrians at side crosswalks. Hard to see projected path. . Lights do not project high enough to the right to properly light up street signs. Self leveling may help with some of the issues, but not not all of them.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Outback 🔎.

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.

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.

Recently replaced headlights did not illuminate on a return trip home. They turned off without warning while driving. According to the dealer, the wiring harness failed.

See all problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback 🔎.

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.