This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Two low beam highlights burned out at same time after starting car at night around 10:00 pm. After that, the battery was getting worse and dead at the service center just before replacing the highlight bulbs. The manager said that the battery's situation was not related with the problem of the high light, and there was no clues.
Manufacturer recall number wqe41; NHTSA recall number 12V602000.puddle lights for 2011 Subaru Outback. In January 2013, I received a recall notice from Subaru.. since receiving the recall notice, I have made numerous, really, numerous, attempts to have this recall addressed by my local Subaru dealer. All attempts to have this recall addressed have been unsuccessful. I have been repeatedly told that the parts are on back order. My puddle lights have ceased working which is an indicator of an electrical short within the electrical system which may result in smoke or fire according to the ntsb. On April 8, 2017 my latest attempt to get a definitive answer from my local Subaru concerning repair of the puddle lights and completion of the recall was again unsuccessful.
Low beam headlamps burn out very quickly - within 3-6 months, repeatedly. Also, the low beam headlights only come on after dark. As day-time running lights they fail to come on. This occurs at all times regardless of speed, temp, or driving conditions.
I have replaced my low beam headlights on this car 3 times since I purchased it and both low beam headlights go two weeks ago. So now it will be 5 times. I have had the car two years. Why am I replacing headlights so frequently. I had this problem with my car prior to this one, Honda civic 2002. I alway had an extra bulb in the glove compartment so I would not get a ticket if stopped. I replaced it over 8 times from 2002 to 2015. I am wondering if the manufacturer is the same. I should not have to replace headlights so often. Plus, I cannot change myself on this car so I have to pay the dealer to replace. I cannot afford this in this economy.
- Stamford, CT, USA
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I have a problem with the low beam headlights, Subaru is aware and has warranted for 10 years to replace them. Well this happens about every 2 months and didn't start till I had the car for 5 years. The warranty starts from the time you bought the car which is 2011, so I have lost 5 years. I bought this car brand new off the lot. So after about the 6th time in a 8- to 1 year period, I asked Subaru, why are you putting a band aid on this problem and not fixing the issue. The service manager @ South blvd Subaru in charlotte nc stated that it's a lot cheaper for them to change the lights than to fix the problem, that is not my problem. I buy cars and I drive them till the wheels fall off, so it is an inconvenience for me to have to go there about every 2 months and have this headlight replaced. And my 6 years are already gone for the warranty since I didn't start having problems till now. So in 2021 I have to start buying the headlights, which are not cheap or if I go to sell the car I have to tell the person, by the way, the headlights need to be replaced, that lowers the value of my car. It is not right that they know there are issues and will not fix it. This should be recall and all these cars need to be fixed and not handled this way. I will never buy another one for this reason.
My headlights have gone out 6 times! the last time I switched to an led system and now it has blown my rf headlight in 6 months! led it supposed to last longer! I definitely have some kind of electrical issue!
The low beam headlights burn out ever 8-10 months. No matter what type of bulb used, the low beam bulb overheats and burns itself out faster than any other car.
The headlight bulbs on my 2011 Subaru Outback "burnout" every 4-5 months. I addressed the issue with the original dealer where the vehicle was purchased, to no satisfactory end. They basically said there was nothing they could do other than replace the bulbs. Since the first instance I have personally replaced the bulbs a minimum of a dozen times. The latest burnout occurred this weekend while driving in a snowstorm.the original dealer is no longer in business so I took it to a different dealer. They explained that there is now a "warranty extension" in place to replace the bulbs for a ten year period from the date of purchase. When I questioned what they were going to do to correct the obvious electrical problem, the service writer stated "there is nothing that can be done other than replacing the bulb". a subsequent call to Subaru of America produced nothing more than a "sir, we have extended the warranty for up to ten years to replace the bulbs" when I repeatedly questioned what was being done to fix the problem. I searched the internet and discovered this is a known issue that Subaru is doing absolutely nothing to rectify. They are band aiding the problem with the "extended warranty". this is a major safety issue when headlight bulbs just "burnout", almost always at the worst possible time. Is it going to take my vehicle burning to the ground due to an electrical short, voltage surge or whatever else is causing the burnouts, or worse yet a Subaru owner being involved in an accident, before Subaru initiates a recall to fix the issue they are well aware of.
Repeated premature failure of headlights, marker lights, brake lights. I'm aware of the recall replacing the headlights but that is not fixing the problem.
Ongoing failure of both passenger and driver side headlamps. Same complaint that others have documented that this is an ongoing issue and the headlamps are difficult to replace. Serious safety hazard and can also lead to traffic violations. Subaru needs to provide a fix, not just a one-time reimbursement of replacement headlamps.
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.
Right back brake light blew out. Car has been having alot of various lighting problems since purchased in 2011. Not sure when it blew out, someone in a parking lot told me it was out.
Frequent replacement of low beam bulbs. Not easy to replace and Subaru service best equipped to do procedure. Labor costs at various dealers for this service widely vary and can increase without reason. Subaru of America recently sent out letter saying warranty on bulbs has been extended (not that there is issue with electrical system). Soa will replace or refund, however, this does not solve the issue of continued (perceived) deficiency in the lighting system overall and refund requirements are very stringent per the letter they sent. I consider this issue as a safety defect. We have both an Outback and legacy that are both affected by this. Have owned legacy since new and replaced both bulbs four times since taking ownership. Have tried other brand bulbs to no better result (hence my belief it is electrical system). Per one of the service advisors I've spoken to in the past, the system is designed such that when one bulb burns out, more current flows to the one bulb still working and will burn it out prematurely (furthering my belief that it is a safety issue). They said this in recommending replacement of both bulbs at once. Would like to see recall or greater effort on soa's part.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ann Arbor, MI, USA