2006 Subaru Outback Lights Problems
3 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (3)
I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT MORE THAN ABOUT 40' IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 108 BETWEEN SONORA AND JAMESTOWN, CALIFORNIA. THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE HIM UNTIL I WAS LESS THAN 40' AWAY. THERE WAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN, LUCKILY HE WAS OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS JUST ONE INCIDENT WHERE I FELT MY HEADLIGHTS FAIL. ANY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE LIMITED VISIBILITY TO THE FRONT OF ME, WHICH MEANS I CANNOT SEE POTHOLES OR ANIMALS IN THE ROAD. ALL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN OR RIDDEN IN MY CAR AT NIGHT ARE SHOCKED BY THE LACK OF VISIBILITY WITH THE LOW-BEAMS. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I DRIVE WITH MY HIGH-BEAMS ON AT NIGHT, BUT OFTEN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE BY ANY MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALLEVIATED BY INSTALLING BRIGHTER BULBS, AND THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY COMPLAINTS. PLEASE SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2005, 2006 SUBARU MODELS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND SUBARU SHOULD BE FORCED TO MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENT LOW BEAM HOUSINGS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *TR
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO JUST MY CAR BUT IS WHAT I CONSIDER A FAULT FOR THE WHOLE CAR MODEL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE HEADLIGHT IS HARD-WIRED ON. THAT'S OK, BUT POSES A PROBLEM AT NIGHT AS ONE CAN SEE THAT THE HEADLIGHT IS ON, NOT REALIZING THAT THE TAILLIGHTS ARE NOT ON. YOU START THE CAR AND DRIVE OFF NOT REALIZING THAT THE BACK OF THE CAR IS NOT VISIBLE. THERE IS NO ALERT (SUCH AS NO OR DIMMED DASHBOARD LIGHTS) TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE BACK OF THE CAR CANNOT BE SEEN IN THE DARK. NOT ONLY HAVE I MADE THIS MISTAKE MANY TIMES, BUT I HAVE ALSO NOTICED OTHER DRIVERS OF MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL DOING THE SAME THING. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD BE REMEDIED BY HAVING THE TAILLIGHTS BE HARD-WIRED AS WELL OR BY HAVING NO DASH LIGHTS UNLESS THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. *JB
DT: 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATES THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT FOCUSED PROPERLY. HE STATES IT IS LIKE DRIVING IN A TUNNEL. SUBARU STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK