2011 OUTBACK AND HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES AS OF TODAY. SEEMS TO BE FAILING WAY TOO OFTEN. VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT, ORIGINAL OWNER.
2011 subaru Outback lighting problems
moderate 97 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
97
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I HAVE REPLACE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE 6 YEARS I HAVE OWN THIS CAR.
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.
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
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2011 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 97 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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