2011 Subaru Outback Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 117about this part
- Share
- 18%of 653 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,900miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 117 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Subaru Outback, 18% of the 653 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,900 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving home from work 11-09-2017 at around 6:30 pm both my headlights went out. I could not see the road and I drove off the side of the road and slammed my brakes on. I put the car in park and got out and looked at my headlights. They were both out. The high beams did work. I had to keep high beams on so I could make it home.”
NHTSA complaint #11045154, filed 2017-11, 114,000 miles“Tamara recall I have had my 2011 Outback for 4 months now and have gone through 3 sets of low beam headlights. Not sure why they keep dying prematurely. I have gotten more expensive bulbs every time and now the $60 bulbs are doing the same thing. I feel there is an electrical issue and I have seen multiple forums describing the same issue from other people with the same year, make, and model.”
NHTSA complaint #11104910, filed 2018-06, 99,351 miles“I have replaced both left & right side headlight low beam bulbs at least 6-7 times since the car was new. One occasion they were both out and my wife drove home with only the parking lights on (she said it sure is dark on route 9a ). I'm not sure I saved all the receipts, but I bet autozone has records withmy rewards account.”
NHTSA complaint #10919672, filed 2016-10, 80,000 miles“The airbag warning lite on the passenger side came on and stayed on for several minutes. After several trips the lite came on again and has stayed on. The result is that the bag is not able to deploy if there is any type of accident that involves the front end. This is very concerning to my family , I try to avoid anyone from riding in the front passenger seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10678688, filed 2015-01, 41,000 miles“The Subaru Outback 2011 has a known issue with headlights burning out frequently. I replace 7 headlights on my vehicle since I purchased the vehicle used in september 2017 costing me $200. The Outback has an extended warranty for lightbulb replacement, but that ends in 2021, and causes the driver the inconvenience of frequently taking the vehicle in to have headlights replaced. A recall needs to be created to fix this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11071807, filed 2018-02, 134,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V602000Dec 26, 2012Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January…Covers: Subaru Outback 2010–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011, Forester 2009–2012 +2 more
Related 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…
- 10130273Jan 26, 2018This 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…
- 10182590Aug 12, 2016Subaru 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…
- 10111102Jul 29, 2016As 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…
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 2011 Subaru Outback
216 complaintsEngine
85 complaintsBrakes
78 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsElectrical system
67 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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