2005 Subaru Outback exterior lighting problems

“THIS IS THE FIRST SUBARU I'VE EVER OWNED AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR: AN OIL LEAK IN THE ENGINE THAT REQUIRED THE WHOLE ENGINE TO BE TAKEN APART. WHILE REPLACING A SEEMINGLY SIMPLE PART, THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS THAT KEEP THE BACK HATCH OPEN, THE THREADING THAT HOLDS THE SCREW IN BROKE OFF AND I HAD TO HIRE A MECHANIC YET AGAIN TO WELD THAT PART TO BE ABLE TO SCREW IN THE SCREW TO HOLD THE LIFT IN PLACE. AND NOW, THE ENTIRE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOESN'T WORK, INCLUDING THE STEREO, ALL THE DOME LIGHTS AND THE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY.”

“REAR HATCH HARNESS WIRES ARE BROKEN/ FRAYED. BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, AND THE REAR WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. EVERY NOW AND THEM REAR DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK. HAZARD A LOT OF 2005-2009 OUTBACKS HAVE.”

“THE WIRING FOR THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED IN THE UPPER RIGHT HATCH HINGE BOOT CAUSING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS TO NOT OPERATE. THE PURPLE WIRE HAD BROKEN INSIDE THE BOOT AREA. THE PURPLE WIRE IS EXTREMELY SMALL GAUGE FOR A LOCATION THAT IS OPENED AND CLOSED OFTEN. *TR”

“WIRING LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN THE HATCH DOOR AND BODY (IN THE PROTECTIVE BOOT) WAS SEVERED AS A RESULT OF POOR QUALITY WIRING AND DESIGN. WIRES WERE STRESS-SEVERED AND NEARLY SEVERED BY NORMAL OPERATION OF OPENING/CLOSING THE WAGON REAR DOOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AS DISCOVERED BY VISITING ONLINE FORUMS. *TR”

“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…”

“SUBARU OUTBACK 2005: THE WIRE HARNESS TO THE REAR TAILGATE FAILED AND SHORTED OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. *TR”