2000 Subaru Outback Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 193,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2000 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 193,500 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.
“Unknown component part/system. Drivers side headlight went out. Checked fuse and bulb which was still good; replaced bulb anyway and it still didn't work. Next day the other headlight also went out. Checked the same things. High beams, fog and parking lights still worked. My son jiggled the bulb socket and wires and the lights came on but now the driver high beam went out. High beam bulb and fuse were both okay. The low beams also now appeared to be yellow. …”
NHTSA complaint #10892936, filed 2016-08, 210,000 miles“Driving along the free way at normal speeds with traffic and mt car randomly shut off and turned back on, happened 3 or 4 times before I could get off to the side of the road. It seems to be a common issue if googled. Just the electrical turned off and on the engine stayed running.”
NHTSA complaint #10487723, filed 2012-12, 177,000 miles“The brake light/tail light assembly on our Subaru Outback wagon fills with water every time it rains. It is a clamshell design spanning the entire rear hatch of the vehicle and includes the brake lights, turn signals and reverse (backup) lights. It appears that the heat in florida has affected the seam of the taillight assembly, causing it to fail prematurely, so that rain water fills up in the tailight assembly every time it rains, where a short circuit is inevitable. You can actually see water inside the reverse lights portion of the taillight assembly, as the lens is clear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114050, filed 2005-03Related 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 2000 Subaru Outback
42 complaintsEngine cooling
35 complaintsTires
30 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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