2003 Subaru Outback Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,500 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.
“My complaint is my headlights' they're cloudy. On nov. 29, 2018 the institute of highway safety released a report that said that 'most base model cars have poor-quality headlights. My complaint is the car manufacturers created this problem when they decided decades ago that plastic was a better shield over the headlights than glass. My suggestion is to make the car manufacturers go back to installing glass over their headlights or u.s. Drivers are always going to have cloudy headlights. Even when we buff them out and make them shine again, it only last 6 or 7 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #11161929, filed 2018-12, 80,000 miles“Water is getting into the rear door of Outback Subaru wagon causing the corroding of rear light harnesses. Taillight failed to operate and had assembly had to be replaced. Dealer can't determine how/why water is getting into the rear door. After heavy rain, the water can be heard moving around in the door. Water drains out when the door is opened.”
NHTSA complaint #10200852, filed 2007-08, 73,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This 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…
- 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 2003 Subaru Outback
19 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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