1996 Subaru Outback Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 2%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A permanent hazing of the headlight lenses has been progressively getting worse, and cannot be removed. This has caused safe night driving illumination to drop dramatically.”
NHTSA complaint #10113879, filed 2005-03, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10022343Jul 1, 2007Headlight bulb socket repairs.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 16 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 3% |
| 2013 | 8 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 6% |
| 2011 | 117 | 18% |
| 2010 | 35 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 7% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 30 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Subaru Outback
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology