What is the green light on the rear view mirror of a Subaru Outback?
The green LED in the Outback’s interior rearview mirror is a status indicator for glare-reduction features built into the car. In most cases, it signals that the auto-dimming function is active and ready to reduce headlight glare from vehicles behind you.
What the green light signals
Below is a practical breakdown of what you’re seeing when you notice the green light on the mirror and how it relates to the car’s safety features.
Auto-dimming mirror indicator
The Outback uses an auto-dimming rearview mirror that darkens automatically in response to bright headlights behind you. The small green LED on the mirror is the indicator that this dimming function is enabled and functioning. When the system detects glare, the mirror darkens to help reduce eye strain and improve nighttime visibility. The indicator may light up at startup and stay steady when the system is active; if it stops lighting or behaves unusually, there could be a fault or the feature may have been disabled.
EyeSight and other driver-assist indicators
How to test and troubleshoot
If you want to verify that the green light and related features are working, use these checks. They’re intended as practical guidance and may vary slightly by model year or trim.
- Before testing, ensure the car is on and the auto-dimming feature is enabled via the mirror’s bottom-mounted switch (if present on your trim).
- At night, observe whether the mirror darkens in response to glare from headlights behind you; the green LED should indicate that auto-dimming is active.
- If the LED is off or remains lit continuously without dimming when glare is present, inspect the mirror’s switch and wiring, and consider a fuse check or service if the problem persists.
- To check EyeSight status, review the instrument cluster or driver information display for EyeSight indicators, as the mirror LED is not a reliable EyeSight status signal in all years.
In any case where the green light does not behave as expected, consult the owner’s manual for your exact model year and consider a visit to a Subaru dealer or certified technician for a diagnostic.
Why this matters for driving safety
Summary
The green light on the Subaru Outback’s rearview mirror is primarily the auto-dimming indicator, signaling that glare-reduction is active. While EyeSight status is related to driver-assist features, it is generally shown elsewhere in the cabin rather than on the mirror. If you notice unusual behavior, check the mirror switch, review the manual for your year, and seek service if needed to ensure optimal nighttime visibility and safety.
