Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 16 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 6% | 64,000 miles |
| 2011 | 117 | 18% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 36 | 10% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 9% | 62,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 7% | 81,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% | 97,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 30 | 11% | 66,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% | 150,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% | 177,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71.
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 not see at night with these headlights. So I would say we and the other vehicles on the road are at great risk. We did take vehicle right back to dealer the following day, they informed me that this has been a known problem on these cars and that I should just drive with my high beams. Not a solution!! I do not want to blind other cars coming at me. Not inspected by anyone except dealership. There were no warnings about this problem, and; I was very much shocked and disappointed that the dealership was aware of this issue. They appeared the first time I drove at night and needed head lights on!
This vehicle has severe CVT problems. It shifts back and forth with a clunk on level roads at a steady speed. I have a 2015 Murano with over 80,000 miles that does not display this type of behavior. I am driving a loaner which is a 2023 Subaru with the same engine and transmission as mine and it has none of my safety problems. The additional safety problems are: very poor resolution on backup camera and incorrect guidance lines; we are a hands free state and my voice command will not properly make calls; built in nav is horrible and Android Auto doesn't work; Adaptive headlights don't work; lane centering hugs the left side of the lane to a degree that I have to pull to the right if a vehicle is passing me; Auto rear braking does not work properly. The rest of the items are more of a nuisance than safety oriented. I have owned over a dozen Subarus without having any issues.
Both front headlights cast a tabbed rectangular shadow into driver's field-of-view creating two potentially dangerous disruptive shadows/dead spots at certain longer distances and in open flat terrain areas. These tabbed rectangular shadow/dead spots often tricks the driver into falsely responding/over-reacting unnecessarily. The dead spots in the driver's field-of-view can be potentially dangerous while driving at night and around turns/corners where the LED headlights automatically track and follow based on the steering inputs by the driver. These projected tabbed rectangular tabs often startle my wife and or I often tricking our eyes into seeing what appears to be an object darting out in front of the vehicle.
When the headlamp selector is in Automatic Mode, automatic high beams are also enabled by default. The issue is that the automatic high beam headlamps do not function well at all. They defeat the high beam selection if any ambient light is detected and are far too sensitive. As a result, if there are streetlights, city lights, or even snow on the ground, the high beam headlamps cannot be turned on while in the automatic mode. It's got to be pitch dark, and even then it takes some time for the high beams to come on after selecting them with the switch. This presents an Immediate safety concern in the inability to use high beam headlamps. The owner's manual (p 574) says this feature can be disabled, but Subaru refuses to change this setting citing legal requirements and safety concerns (that one may use the high beams to blind oncoming traffic). …
I'm a first time Subaru owner but am now challenging my decision to buy a Subaru. While driving at night on dark roads in Pennsylvania, it was quite obvious and strange that the top half of the windshield was black while the bottom half was clear showing the lights on the road. This was quite annoying and disruptive while driving; We did not notice such on a well-lit road. I googled and found out that many Subaru owners experienced the same issue. I've been driving for over 55 years and have never experienced such an issue. I called the dealer and he never heard of such but did read the comments on the web link I shared with him. It's truly unsafe and disturbing while driving on darker roads. Please advise as I'm considering trading in this wonderful car, taking a loss, and buying something that doesn't disturb me while driving at night. …
During night driving, with normal headlights on (not high beams), I am frequently flashed by high beams of oncoming vehicles, sometimes for long time intervals. One truck driver that I was following intentionally shined a bright light at his side view mirror which reflected onto my face, temporarily impairing my vision as I passed the truck. I have taken the car to the Subaru dealership and spoken to a Subaru customer relations representative and they both informed me that other owners of the vehicle have lodged the same complaint but unfortunately the vehicle does not have any mechanism to adjust either the height or brightness of the LED headlights. This is a significant safety issue for both oncoming drivers, whose vision is impaired by my headlights and my vision which is impaired when they shine their high beams at me, making night driving less safe for both.
While driving the vehicle at night with auto diming feature there is a line across the top of the windshield, and it is exceedingly difficult to see through the windshield above that line. When the lights are automatically dimmed the line is extended downward about a third of the windshield. It is difficult to see thru the windshield above this line. Extremely dangerous.
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
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.
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Outback years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (117), 2010 (36), 2005 (30), 2012 (18) and 2020 (16) model years. Headlight complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Subaru Outback headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 12V-602 (exterior lighting, Dec 26, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Outback headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (26 mentions), followed by the brake lights (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.