NHTSA Complaint #10146804 — 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK

WE OWN A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LLBEAN WAGON WITH PROJECTION HEADLIGHTS. MY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR USUALLY, BUT DURING THE HOLIDAYS I DROVE IT QUITE A BIT ESPECAILLY AT NIGHT. I NOTICED A DISTINCTIVE BLACK LINE RUNNING HORIZONTALLY WITH THE VEHICLE AT 180 DEGREES THAT ALSO RUNS ACROSS THE HORIZON OF THE ROAD SIMILAR TO WHAT AN OLD PROJECTOR DOES ON A WHITE SCREEN. (CREATES A BOX OF LIGHT FOR THE IMAGE. BUT OUTSIDE THE BOUNDRY OF THE PROJECTOR THERE IS NO IMAGE OR LIGHT. WHEN DRIVING ON A PERFECTLY HORIZONTAL ROAD THE PROJECTOR LIGHTS EXTEND OUT LET'S SAY 250 YARDS +/-. BUT WHEN THE ROAD UNDULATES THE HEADLIGHT PROJCETION OF THE ROAD AHEAD IS CUT OFF! IT'S LIKE SOMETHING SHUTS OFF THE PROJECTED LIGHT AHEAD AND THE ROAD BECOMES SEVERLY DARKENED. HOWEVER, WHEN I TURN ON MY HIGHBEAMS THE ENTIRE ROAD FRONT AND SIDES ARE ADEQUATELY LIT. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A PONTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE DRIVING IN FOG, HEAVY RAIN, OR SNOW. HOW CAN YOU MAINTAIN A SAFE CONDITION IF YOUR FORWARD LIGHT IS ESENTIALLY CUT OFF BECAUSE OF THE LIMITATION OF THE PROJCETOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT? I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ACCORDING TO PERSON I SPOKE TO. I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD WITH MY CONCERNS. APPARANTLY ACCORDING TO THE SUBRU MECHANIC I SPOKE TO TODAY, OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2006 TRIBECA WHICH HAS THE SAME HEADLIGHT SET UP. SINCERELY, AP GULLA. *NM