Four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in Maine and New Hampshire have had for some 8 weeks my Outback to evaluate, diagnose, and -upon my approval- service. Every one of the four Subaru locations was been unable to resolve a single one of these chronic problems of the Outback's erratic 1) start/no-start, 2) triggered security light and activated alarm, 3) dashboard battery and brake icons lighting/pulsing, 4) error code 55 (or SS) and 5) car headlights pulsing. The above problems compound with the issues Subaru's service teams have failed to resolve since early days of new car ownership (despite repeated repair) for 1) brakes regularly making noise, 2) radio randomly changing volume or shutting off, and 3) back tail light not working. Note: During the first two years of ownership, Subaru's service stated it "could not replicate" the problem with the brakes I'd reported within weeks of purchasing the new car. But a few weeks out of warranty, the same Subaru service location stated "I need whole new brakes" and quoted some $1,800 in repairs. A few months later, Subaru issued its first admission to the defective brake system. These four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in part or full 1) held my car at least 2x - 4x longer than quoted, while upselling me on the loaner model, then missing several by which they'd a written diagnostic report , 2) refused diagnostic report and when sought provided scant or impractical information, 3) demanded under threat of rental fees if loaner was not retuned within a couple of hours .... during a business day (including at distant locations too far to reach by deadline), and 5) sought many hundreds of dollars in payment for undisclosed and unapproved work without ever diagnosing issue, which they demanded in conjunction with the rental fees ginned up by dragging out and then failing to do the diagnostic work. Subaru USA added years of delay and refuses to honor manufacturer's or licensee-issued warranties.
2008 Subaru Outback: headlights failing or too dim
13 of the 226 complaints about the 2008 Subaru Outback describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- recalls
- 0
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to function. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the failure and replaced the brakes. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the battery was replaced. Soon after the battery replacement, the front headlights began strobing and the taillight wiring caused the lights to fail. Additionally, there was moisture behind the A-pillar applique trim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. Additionally, the wiring and bulbs in the taillights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Car check engine light on, along with traction light on, cruise light on. Can't shut any off. Car actually gets very hot to the touch drivers side near fender headlight. Could start on fire! Dangerous! Think there is a recall on front oxygen sensor, only if turbo? Rediculous! Should be all not just turbo model! Also had to replace head cover gasket and everything that goes with that 5/17/2017 108,900 miles. That should be a recall also.
(vehicle has 112k miles) beginning approximately in the march 2015 timeframe, the radio controls/display began to malfunction intermittently. At first, the radio display would blink off/on, and then preset station buttons stopped/started working, then the cd/radio/aux control knob stopped/started working, etc. Controls from the steering wheel appear unaffected. There would be one problem on one day, which would seemingly "go away." then, at random (sometimes days or weeks later), another problem would present itself. It, too, would "go away" in short order and the process would repeat itself. The problem would occur on start-up as well as suddenly while in motion (in may 2015, I had the radio go off about midway on a 150-mile trip.) on sept 16, the radio controls became completely inactive, but the unit functioned and the display was on. Then, on sept 24, I was travelling at night when the headlights and radio/AC displays suddenly went dark. This is clearly a safety concern. The high beams and running lights remained functional, but the regular lights no longer function. I did not test the fog lights and I am no longer driving the car. I am using my wife's car. Until I can take the car for service, its use is limited to daylight hours. The issue has remained and does not appear to be "going away". When you turn on the headlights, the radio/AC displays go blank and the headlights do not light.
Purchased this single-owner, well-cared for outback about 1/9/2015. I was assured all recalls had been addressed. I soon realized the low beam headlights extended the light-field for only a very short distance. (no more than 7 feet in front of car). At next oil change, asked to have them looked at/adjusted. About 2 days after that was done, I had no low-beam headlights. Told the low-beams were not "grounding". (high beams and fog lights are fine). Waited for a $300 control module part to come in but that was not the problem. Now waiting for another $300 fuse box part to come in - no guarantee that is the problem. After seeing similar car complaints on-line, realized this may be a safety issue (and a more pervasive issue) than I thought. The state of wisconsin certainly sees this as a safety issue as they issue a $187+ ticket and the driver loses 3 points. (I already got one ticket due to this problem while awaiting parts). I do not have another vehicle available and drive over 600 miles (round-trip) each weekend between work and home.
Recently replaced headlights did not illuminate on a return trip home. They turned off without warning while driving. According to the dealer, the wiring harness failed.
Vehicle started showing signs of electrical problems 2 months ago when the rear view mirror homelink would only have power intermittently. Problem progressed to the reverse lights and now affects the headlights. The headlights went out at night as I was leaving a parking lot, a definite hazard. Have researched the problem on subaru online forums and discovered that the problem is that individual wires in the wiring harness have a tendency to crack and break at the joint between the body and the liftgate. This vehicle has 2 completely broken wires and most others with breaks in the insulation. Other owners describe similar problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur every six months where the bulb needed to be replaced each time. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.
Tl*the contact owns 2008 subaru outback. While driving approximately 25 MPH on a rural road after the sunset with the low beam headlights engaged, they failed to fully illuminate the road. The dealer stated that the vehicle does comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards; which was a manufacturer design with no modifications. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 103,000. The VIN was rejected from the system and will be updated upon receipt of the safety complaint.
I purchased a 2008 subaru outback and the low beam headlights are dangerous when traveling on hilly roads. The headlights do not illuminate the road properly and have a horizontal line to the beam. Nothing can be seen under this line. No problems encountered with high beams.
The headlights in the 2008 subaru outback are deadly and an accident waiting to happen. I can not believe these headlights were approved and that they are lawful.
We purchased a 2008 subaru outback in oct. 07 and discovered a problem with the headlights after daylight saving time went into effect. The headlights are totally ineffective on back roads with hilly terrain. Visibility can be limited to as little as 20 feet at times. After speaking to the dealer and a subaru regional rep. We were told to "deal with it" as the vehicle meets manufacturer specifications. Our concern is the danger not only to humans but the wildlife that live in this area. We have tried to pursue the lemon law but continue to hit roadblocks and have not been successful. We will probably trade the vehicle and cut our losses before we cause injury to ourselves or others.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2008 Subaru Outback headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
13 of 226 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Outback (6%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Subaru Outback
Airbag light 57Brake failure 9Check engine light 9Stalling 8
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