Lights

2000 Subaru Outback Lighting problems

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2000 Subaru Outback's lights with NHTSA - 3% of all its complaints, most recently on August 3, 2016. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

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Complaints: 6
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Lighting complaints

Lights

Unknown component part/system. Drivers side headlight went out. Checked fuse and bulb which was still good; replaced bulb anyway and it still didn't work. Next day the other headlight also went out. Checked the same things. High beams, fog and parking lights still worked. My son jiggled the bulb socket and wires and the lights came on but now the driver high beam went out. High beam bulb and fuse were both okay. The low beams also now appeared to be yellow. Had to drive at night a few days later (i always...

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drive with my fog lights on unless the high beams are used) and it seemed like I could not see virtually anything ahead of me; the low beams were extremely dim and unsafe to use. Was forced to use my single working high beam. In googling the problems online I came across scores of other people with similar problems. Some replaced the drl module with no change in result. It has to be a socket problem or grounding problem of some sort, or perhaps a wiring problem, though some people replaced the wiring harness to no avail, and replaced pins, clips in the bulb socket assembly. This is dangerous.

Electrical systemLights

Driving along the free way at normal speeds with traffic and mt car randomly shut off and turned back on, happened 3 or 4 times before I could get off to the side of the road. It seems to be a common issue if googled. Just the electrical turned off and on the engine stayed running. *Tr

Seats & seat beltsLights

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. The contact noticed that the interior lights did not illuminate. She attempted to have the vehicle repaired on three occasions. She drove the vehicle to arizona and it lost power. The dealer retrieved the vehicle and repaired the alternator and interior lighting. The contact stated that the lights are becoming more dim as time progresses. The rear seat belts have not been replaced. The current mileage is 142,300 and failure mileage was 141,204.

Lights

The brake light/tail light assembly on our subaru outback wagon fills with water every time it rains. It is a clamshell design spanning the entire rear hatch of the vehicle and includes the brake lights, turn signals and reverse (backup) lights. It appears that the heat in florida has affected the seam of the taillight assembly, causing it to fail prematurely, so that rain water fills up in the tailight assembly every time it rains, where a short circuit is inevitable. You can actually see water inside the...

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reverse lights portion of the taillight assembly, as the lens is clear. This is a big life safety hazard. I contacted subaru motors of america's customer service and 1) they deny that they have any knowledge of this problem having ever happened to any subaru owner, and 2) they are denying my request for financial assistance with the repair (vehicle is out of warranty). However, the dealer's repair technician acknowledged that this problem is common in florida - he has repaired the same problem several times. I expressed concern to subaru america about liability from this safety hazard, but the customer service agent did not even want to talk about it. This problem could cause premature failure of the brake lights which could result in fatalities. I would suggest that a mandatory recall be persued since subaru does not want to admit there is a problem with this design. I clearly see this as both a design flaw and a safety hazard.*Ak

Lights

Tail lights leaks large amount of water. In cold weather tail lights bulbs would blow. Please provide further information. *Ak

Electrical systemLights

When the interior fan switch is being used, headlights get very dim, causing poor driver's visibility. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced parts, problem still occurs. *Ak *ml

Subaru Outback lighting complaints by year

'95 '96 '97 '98 '99 6'00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25 '26

Outback lighting problems, every year

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

2000 Subaru Outback Lighting problems

Lighting complaints

Subaru Outback lighting complaints by year

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