2005 Subaru Outback: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 18, 2017 · 27,779 miles · MI

Bought car in 2006. Check engine light came on after having a couple of months. Under warranty replaced oxygen sensor, went out after a month; also headlight went out. Had senior replaced again, went out again after 1 month. Wasn't under warranty, the sensor was but not the labor. Single income couldn't afford to keep replacing. My check engine light had been on for 9 years, and I haven't been able to use my cruise control. My 1 st subaru was a 1986; been driving one sense. Just thought you would like to know.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Lights · 160,000 miles · OR

My wife and I recently purchased a used 2005 subaru outback. The headlights on this vehicle are what I consider to be dangerously dim, barely lighting up the road. Both the fog lamps and also the high beams work well, but the low beam light (which is produced from a different bulb than the high beam) is very inadequate. I have replaced the bulbs with higher intensity bulbs. This offered little if any increase in lighting. I have also had the electrical system checked to assure the proper voltage is being supplied. Googleing this problem has told me I'm not alone. Other subaru owners complain of the same issue. Here's what I have researched and determined to be the problem. There is an inner reflective cavity in which the headlight bulb is housed. The reflection process within this housing magnifies the light produced by the bulb. This process is similar to that of a reflective prism inside a lighthouse. In the case of our subaru, the reflective material inside of the headlight bulb housing has either worn away or become clouded to the degree that the light produced by the bulbs no longer reflects adequately to produce a bright light. These headlights need to either be replaced or perhaps somehow removed from the vehicle, opened up and then repaired. In either case this would be very expensive to the degree in which most consumers would not be willing to incur the cost, thereby continuing to take their chances driving at night with unsatisfactory headlights. My questions: is this considered a safety issue? If so, is it the responsibility of the manufacturer to correct this problem? Do I have to pay for any corrections? I'd be grateful for any help or suggestions you can offer to assist me with this issue. I feel this is a potentially dangerous problem, not just for myself, but other subaru owners. Thank you for your time.

Filed Mar 22, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 92,000 miles · NY

Low beams replace several time, replaced both recently and both went out at the same time in the dark on they way to work. Lights in dashboard constantly flashing on and off, ABS, battery, brake. Speedometer jumping all over the place. Been happening over a month or so. Very upset can't figure out what it is.

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Lights · 20,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru outback. The contact stated that both headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 20000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Dec 3, 2012 · Lights · 70,000 miles · PA

Driving at night. Stopped to get gas. Went to start car and turn on lights. Both headlights out-just like that. Had to drive home on running lights; luckily less than 5 miles. Headlight issues started about 10k miles ago where individual lights have gone out; have replaced ind low beam lights 4x in the last 10k miles. Never had 2 go out at once like this-at night. Did a search on internet and found numerous reports of owners with same issue and it doesn't sound like subaru is too interested in resolving when left to its own accord.

Filed Nov 2, 2009 · Lights · 66,389 miles · CO

We purchased a used 2005 subaru outback ltd. Wagon in august of 2008 and almost immediately had to replace the left front driver's low beam headlight bulb. Since that time, we have replaced 3 more left side headlight low beam bulbs and 2 right side low beam headlight bulbs. Subaru tells us there are no issues with their electrical system, yet they claim that they have redesigned the low beam headlight bulbs 3 times now and that their branded bulbs should work. At appx. $20.00 each, their solution should not be acceptable. We have spent over $100.00 replacing bulbs that should last for years and years, not 2-3 months! We are asking for assistance with this problem. We live in a rural area of colorado where there are few street or highway lights and wildlife is always a concern while driving. You need proper vehicle lighting to remain safe on the road and this known defect by subaru needs to be addressed. Headlight failure doesn't always happen near a subaru dealer. Off the shelf replacement bulbs should do the job, but don't because subaru is not sharing the correct lighting technology with the aftermarket manufacturers. This may not be the first complaint you have received. We see many 2005-2006 subaru's like ours with burned out headlamps. Thank you for your consideration of our complaint.

Filed Nov 11, 2008 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · CA

It started with the dome light sometimes working and other times not,then the remote to open doors. I changed battery and fuse, did not help. So everything is locked and unlocked manually. Next it was the seat belt bell. It will go on when your driving when belt is on. Now it won't chime at all just the light flashes. Next it was the head lamps. Changed one, then immediately the other went out. The head lamps are not equal in positioning. And now the stereo only has the right side working (not sure if that's connected to electrical) it's been a nightmare. Today the dome light decided to work. I would never buy another subaru again and want to spruce this one up an get rid of it.

Filed Oct 16, 2006 · Engine, Lights · 8,061 miles · CO · fire

2005 subaru outback 2.5xt was parked in a public / private parking structure at approximately 6:30pm on 10/13/2005. At approximately 8pm the fire alarm was triggered by vehicle catching on fire. Fire dept found no signs of arson or foul play, looked to be an electrical fire in the front right headlight cluster. No response from subaru, insurance dropped my policy - loss not covered!

Filed Jan 14, 2006 · Lights · 25,000 miles · TN

I purchased my 05 subaru legacy outback in september 04. The passenger side low beam headlight went out in october 05 and I had a local mechanic replace it with the recommended replacement bulb. I noticed that now the right low beam is more angled down than previously, making visibility at night more limited than it was before the replacement. In december 05 the driver's side low beam headlight also expired and my father and I replaced it with the same compatible part. I noticed that night that the driver's side low beam was now only illuminating about 10 feet in front of the car (less than the right low beam now) and so I had to crane forward over the steering wheel to see the part of the road that was illuminated. My dad and I adjusted them as much as we could but there's really not much to adjust. Now, when I drive at night I'm mostly relying on street lights and other environmental lighting to illuminate the road rather than my low beams because they really don't show you anything of the road more than 10-20 feet in front of you (fortunately I live in the city so it's pretty well illuminated at night). The only way to see the road safely if I'm in a poorly lit area is with the high beams now and judging from other posted complaints there's really nothing the dealer can do to adjust them.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Lights · GA

We own a 2005 subaru outback llbean wagon with projection headlights. My wife drives the car usually, but during the holidays I drove it quite a bit especailly at night. I noticed a distinctive black line running horizontally with the vehicle at 180 degrees that also runs across the horizon of the road similar to what an old projector does on a white screen. (creates a box of light for the image. But outside the boundry of the projector there is no image or light. When driving on a perfectly horizontal road the projector lights extend out let's say 250 yards +/-. But when the road undulates the headlight projcetion of the road ahead is cut off! It's like something shuts off the projected light ahead and the road becomes severly darkened. However, when I turn on my highbeams the entire road front and sides are adequately lit. I feel this could be a pontential safety issue, especially if someone driving in fog, heavy rain, or snow. How can you maintain a safe condition if your forward light is esentially cut off because of the limitation of the projcetor design of the headlight? I have expressed my concern to subaru customer service, but there's nothing they can do according to person I spoke to. I just want to go on record with my concerns. Apparantly according to the subru mechanic I spoke to today, others have expressed similar complaints about the 2006 tribeca which has the same headlight set up. Sincerely, ap gulla.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Lights · GA

We own a 2005 subaru outback llbean wagon with projection headlights. My wife drives the car usually, but during the holidays I drove it quite a bit especially at night. I noticed a distinctive black line running horizontally with the vehicle at 180 degrees that also runs across the horizon of the road similar to what an old projector does on a white screen. (creates a box of light for the image. But outside the boundary of the projector there is no image or light. When driving on a perfectly horizontal road the projector lights extend out let's say 250 yards +/-. But when the road undulates the headlight projection of the road ahead is cut off! It's like something shuts off the projected light ahead and the road becomes severely darkened. However, when I turn on my highbeams the entire road front and sides are adequately lit. I feel this could be a penitential safety issue, especially if someone driving in fog, heavy rain, or snow. How can you maintain a safe condition if your forward light is essentially cut off because of the limitation of the projector design of the headlight? I have expressed my concern to subaru customer service, but there's nothing they can do according to person I spoke to. I just want to go on record with my concerns. Apparently according to the subaru mechanic I spoke to today, others have expressed similar complaints about the 2006 tribeca which has the same headlight set up. Sincerely, ap gulla.

Filed Nov 8, 2005 · Lights · PA

Dt contact stated the headlights were too low, they projected downward. He took the vehicle to the dealer, they raised the headlights. The contact was not satisfied with them, and took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer again adjusted the headlights. The vehicle has been adjusted three times. However, the contact still had difficulty seeing in front of the vehicle. The dealer told him that all vehicles with project beam bulbs were like that.