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2010 Subaru Outback lights problems

36 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000.

owner complaints
36
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
50,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Headlights
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Subaru Outback lights problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Subaru Outback lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 37

Related recalls

Exterior lightingReported December 26, 2012 · 633,842 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Risk
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783 for more information.

Recall number 12V602000 · Recall details

What 2010 Subaru Outback owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 26, 2022 · Lights · CA

This is not about my car, but instead many different cars. When a cars lights are set to it's parking lights or running lights position, often located on the turn signal stalk, at night it appears to the driver that their headlights are on, when in fact only the "parking lights are on in front. This is a problem, but not what I'm reporting. When in the parking light position (at night), it appears the headlights are on because there's some light out front AND the instrument cluster is lit up as well. Here's the defect in design, the brake lights are NOT on, completely dark at the rear of the vehicle, so drivers are driving on the highway thinking their headlights and brakes lights are on, when they're not. When the parking light position is active, it should include the brake lights. Can't imagine how many rear-enders are because of this design flaw. *The rotating light switch on turn signal stalks often get unknowingly rotated out of Auto or the headlight position when the turn signal is repeatedly used.

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · Lights · OK

About three years ago; there was a recall for the headlights. Subaru did replace the headlights, but I have replaced the headlights two additional times since then. And I currently have a headlight out a marker light out. I also last year had all of my marker lights burn out.

Filed Oct 21, 2020 · Lights · 151,000 miles · PA

I have owned this vehicle for about 4 years now and have had to replace my headlights every 2 to 3 months.. Something is definitely wrong. My headlights always just go out especially when I'm driving home my headlights will just burn out and it leaves me trying to navigate home in the dark. When I go to my subaru dealer they offer me no solution. I ask if there is something wrong with my car that makes this happen and they tell me nothing is wrong and then charge me $60+ to change these headlight bulbs. This is unsafe and it is extremely costly. Especially since this vehicle has to be put in the shop when the bulbs need to be changed due to the weird design they used. The date for the incident happened is only the most recent. This has happened every 2 to 3 months since the ownership of the vehicle.

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Lights · CT

I have had to change both passenger and driver side low beam headlights three times within the last three months. It's is not the lights themselves but the vehicle. This is costly as so much has to be removed in order to replace the lights. This is going to be my third time replacing my lights since january.

Filed Mar 16, 2019 · Engine, Lights · 115,000 miles · WA

My vehicle head lights have burnt out at least once a year since I have owned this car. The engine has began stalling when I come to a full stop. It is equipped with a CVT and it feels like coming to a stop in a manual transmission without depressing the clutch. If I let off the brake quickly it will continue idling but coming to a complete stop kills the engine. I guess subaru has issued an extended warranty but I never recieved the notification and my vehicle is past the mileage for the warranty anyway.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Lights · 148,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. On several occasions, while the vehicle was being driven, the low beam headlamps failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to schlossmann subaru city of milwaukee (located at 4640 s 27th st, milwaukee, wi 53221, (414) 459-3677) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · Lights · 80,000 miles · NY

The headlights are dim and do not project a safe beam of light. This only affects the normal beam. The high beams work well.

Filed May 29, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 134,794 miles · NV

My headlights both low beam and high go out on a monthly basis. I have a 2 year old daughter and live in the mountains of lake tahoe. This is a nuisance as well as a considerable safety hazard and the dealership seems to think there is no issue other than continual bad bulbs. I am considering filing a law suit against suba [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · Engine, Lights · 20,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. While operating the vehicle, the low beam headlights suddenly failed to illuminate. The low beam headlight bulbs had been replaced on six separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (ultimate automotive subaru, 5150 jefferson davis hwy, fredericksburg, va) and was repaired per the manufacturer's customer satisfactory extended warranty program. The diagnosis information was not available. The contact also stated that when making an abrupt stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would suddenly turn off. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer on two separate occasions, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 67,000 miles · WA

In march 2013 an authorized subaru service department noted there was a recall (49 cfr part 573.6) for puddle lights on my car and ordered the parts. This is noted in my file at the service department. They were going to call me when the parts came in. That did not happen. Now my puddle lights have failed and the short makes it so many more features in my car do not work (interior lights, gauges and key fob (currently use the same fuse). For some reason my VIN does not show on the recall look up, but it fits the VIN range as well as make, model and year. Is it possible that subaru can skirt the recall, if the puddle lights were installed at the dealership at time of purchase and not at the factory (same part, authorized service department, new car)? This appears to be the case.to date, subaru USA has offered to pay half the cost the repair ($881) in the interest of 'customer satisfaction' and not per the recall (sr1-30211430901). My local michael's subaru in bellevue washington (service advisor [xxx]) has not offered anything and had made few efforts, if any, to contact me with status. I feel the bellevue service department dropped the ball 5 years ago when it would gave been easier to address (new recall and newer car - 67,000 miles). The problem was first noted in december 2017 when the key fob stopped working. That was tracked to a short in one of the puddle lights. I am trying to understand if this part should be covered by a recall and if this might also be related to the magnuson-moss warranty act even though thus a a recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Questions about the 2010 Subaru Outback lights

Does the 2010 Subaru Outback have lights problems?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the lights of the 2010 Subaru Outback, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2010 Subaru Outback lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Subaru Outback lights?

Yes, 1 recall: 12V602000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Subaru Outback have the most lights problems?

The Subaru Outback model years with the most lights complaints are 2011 (117 complaints), 2010 (36 complaints) and 2005 (30 complaints).

Other 2010 Subaru Outback problems

Transmission 94Engine 67Airbags 44Steering 41Brakes 40Electrical 33Suspension 26Body 14Acceleration 13Tires 9Visibility 8Seats 6Fuel system 5Wheels 5Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2

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