This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on the inside of the lamp lenses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Subaru Outback lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Subaru Outback have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 64,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Outback | 10 |
| 2009 Outback | 3 |
| 2010 Outback | 28 |
| 2011 Outback | 97 |
| 2012 Outback (this page) | 14 |
| 2013 Outback | 6 |
| 2014 Outback | 4 |
| 2015 Outback | 3 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above to set and result in the related system?s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the original warranty on the low-beam ONLY halogen headlamp bulbs to 10 years / unlimited miles from the vehicle?s original warranty start date. This warranty extension will cover low-beam halogen headlamp bulb replacement on 2010, 2011 and a very limited number of early-production 2012MY Legacy and Outback models. Covered vehicles will have a production date prior to those listed in the Production Change Information provided below and meet the guidelines outlined later in this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, SOA is announcing a Low-Beam Halogen Headlamp Bulb Warranty Enhancement program. This extends warranty coverage for 2010 - 2012 Legacy (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 8, 2011) and 2010 - 2012 Outback (for the 2012 model year, the affected models are vehicles that were manufactured through August 22, 2011) vehicles sold or leased in the United States ("Affected Vehicles"). Please note that this is not a recall. If a vehicle is presented in which one or more low-beam halogen headlamp bulb(s) are not "burned out," no repair is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Multiple 2012 Outback owners describe a pattern of headlight bulbs burning out every 3–6 months, regardless of brand. Several owners report replacing the same bulb position 4–9 times within 3–4 years of ownership—far exceeding normal wear. Failures often occur when switching between high and low beams or during highway nighttime driving. In some cases, both headlights failed simultaneously, forcing owners to rely on high beams and fog lights. Other lighting (running lights, brake lights) fail prematurely as well.
One owner had both high beams go inoperative and a defective DLR (daytime running light) module was identified, though repair status remains unclear. Another reported a beam projection defect where the low beam appeared vertical instead of properly directed, creating glare and obscuring vision; the dealer couldn't diagnose it.
One case involved a complete lighting system failure at 65 mph—all headlights and instrument panel lights went dark—though the dealer attributed this to an accidental dimmer switch adjustment.
Subaru dealers confirmed the problem is widespread across model years but denied it affects the 2012 specifically. Fuses checked normal in most cases. An independent mechanic verified the wiring and electrical system were working as designed, yet failures continued. Subaru has not issued a recall for this issue.
Same Subaru Outback lighting reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Premature headlight bulb failure (high and low beam)
High and low beam bulbs burn out at an accelerated rate, often within 3-6 months. Multiple owners report replacing the same bulb position 4+ times within a few years. Failures occur across all bulb brands and occur frequently when switching between high and low beams.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; earliest reported at 4,100 miles; continues up to 175,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: High beam bulbs burn out repeatedly; Low beam bulbs burn out repeatedly; Bulbs fail when switching from high to low beam or vice versa; Both headlights fail simultaneously in some cases; Failures happen during highway driving at night
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru dealer labor charges over $150 per headlight due to front-end disassembly requirement. Independent mechanic found wiring and electrical system working as designed. New housing installed in one case, but bulb blew in the replacement unit. Fuses checked and found normal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru denies issue exists in 2012 model year; claims problem is widespread across multiple model years but does not warrant recall; some owners report 2011 Outback had lifetime bulb replacement program; manufacturer offered no assistance in one case
Defective daytime running light/headlight module (DLR)
Both high beams rendered inoperative due to defective DLR module. No cause or cure found by dealer despite multiple failures.
When: During highway nighttime driving
Symptoms owners cite: Both high beams inoperative; Continued high and low beam bulb failures after module issue
Repairs/costs cited: Defective DLR module identified; repair status unclear
Headlight beam projection defect (improper shielding)
Low beam headlight projector bulb lacks proper shielding, causing beam pattern to appear vertical rather than properly directed downward, creating glare that obscures driver vision.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; reported at 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Beam appears vertical instead of properly projected; Driver vision obscured by glare; Dealer unable to diagnose or repair
Repairs/costs cited: Owner used duct tape as temporary workaround to prevent glare
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance when contacted
Complete headlight system failure during driving
All headlights and instrument panel lights fail to illuminate simultaneously while driving at highway speed, creating a safety hazard. Lights illuminate when switch is turned to OFF position.
When: Early ownership; reported at 4,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument panel lights fail to illuminate; All headlights fail to illuminate simultaneously; Lights illuminate when switch turned to OFF; Occurs at 65 mph highway speed
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru technician suggested consumer may have accidentally turned off dashboard light dimmer switch located behind steering wheel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised consumer to take vehicle to dealer; no repair completed
Rapid wear-out of all external light bulbs
Front and rear running lights, brake lights, and both headlights burn out at accelerated rates throughout vehicle ownership. Nearly every non-LED light on exterior has required replacement at least once.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Left headlight burns out; Right headlight burns out; Front running lights burn out; Rear running lights burn out; Brake lights burn out; Both headlights replaced twice (four bulbs total) by owner report
Repairs/costs cited: Headlight access requires complete disassembly of front end; Subaru labor charge exceeds $150 per bulb
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru stated no issue exists with 2012 model year; noted 2011 Outback had lifetime bulb replacement
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My headlights on my outback are constantly going out. I purchased this vehicle in october of 2015 and I have replaced my headlights 9 times. I live in alaska with very little day light and it is important to always have my headlights on, regardless of where I live. I have been fortunate enough to not have been pulled over for this yet but I can see it happening in the near future. Please help.
Had lighting trouble with your 2012 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2012 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 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?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 19,241 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,241; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Subaru/Outback.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.