Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 463 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility/wiper. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
463 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2022
Power Train
The transmission in this NEW vehicle began making a high-pitch whining noise shortly after i bought it. After 3500 miles, I took it to the Subaru Dealer where i purchased the car. After 10 days of troubleshooting, they determined it requires a transmission replacement. There are multiple other owners that have experienced the SA…
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The transmission in this NEW vehicle began making a high-pitch whining noise shortly after i bought it. After 3500 miles, I took it to the Subaru Dealer where i purchased the car. After 10 days of troubleshooting, they determined it requires a transmission replacement. There are multiple other owners that have experienced the SAME issue (some who have been told by their dealers that it is ‘just a noise’), info available via Subaru Forum. While i did not experience a transmission failure while driving — if i had, this could be a serious safety issue, and there appears to be no acknowledgement by Subaru that their Outback vehicle / transmissions may have a significant manufacturing defect. I am still in the process of determining what the repair / replacement plan is with the Dealer and Subaru of America.
NHTSA ODI #11494396
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2022
Visibility/wiper
The windshield started to have a stress crack when we were driving on a highway at a high altitude. There was no impact and no impact noise, the windshield suddenly cracked around 6 inches and then progressed from there. It started around the middle passenger side and progressed to the middle of the windshield.
NHTSA ODI #11493509
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2022
Unknown Or Other
I walked out to my car in garage and there was a crack from the driver's side corner over 50 percent across the windshield. only 3k miles and NOT hit by a rock etc. windshield to be replaced and while waiting driving home w loud explosion...other side of glass has a huge break with no rocks or cars around.
NHTSA ODI #11492191
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2022
Visibility/wiper
Windshield cracked lower left to center while not moving parked in a garage. Went into the garage with no crack and was cracked the following morning. Nothing hit the windshield. Temperatures were neither high nor low.
NHTSA ODI #11491687
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
My outback was parked in my locked garage over night temp got below 40 degrees that night. Got into the outback and noticed a large crack in the center of windshield that started at lower end of windshield. Called dealership and made an appointment saw service manager and took his pen to show me where he thought a stone had chip…
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My outback was parked in my locked garage over night temp got below 40 degrees that night. Got into the outback and noticed a large crack in the center of windshield that started at lower end of windshield. Called dealership and made an appointment saw service manager and took his pen to show me where he thought a stone had chipped windshield but I just saw the crack no chip. I explained there was never any incident of stone hitting windshield. He stated he would notify Subaru manufacturer of my concern of breakage. Since appointment windshield has continued to crack still waiting to hear back from dealership.
NHTSA ODI #11490942
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2022
Visibility/wiper
Windshield cracked while parked in garage. No object impacted the windshield. No temperature extremes. Approximately 12 to 14 inches in length starting from passenger side.
NHTSA ODI #11490665
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2022
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
While driving the vehicle at night with auto diming feature there is a line across the top of the windshield, and it is exceedingly difficult to see through the windshield above that line. When the lights are automatically dimmed the line is extended downward about a third of the windshield. It is difficult to see thru the winds…
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While driving the vehicle at night with auto diming feature there is a line across the top of the windshield, and it is exceedingly difficult to see through the windshield above that line. When the lights are automatically dimmed the line is extended downward about a third of the windshield. It is difficult to see thru the windshield above this line. Extremely dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11489537
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure
No matter what Subaru does the infotainment system which controls the safety systems crashes randomly and weekly. Disabling all the Eyesight safety features.
NHTSA ODI #11489422
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2022
Unknown Or Other
The windshield on our 2022 Subaru Outback with less than 2000 miles was hit by a small object. The windshield chipped and then cracks began to expand. Small projectiles hit windshields all the time yet don't break like Subaru windshields. Subaru will not cover this under warranty and the repair will cost us over $1200 (front …
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The windshield on our 2022 Subaru Outback with less than 2000 miles was hit by a small object. The windshield chipped and then cracks began to expand. Small projectiles hit windshields all the time yet don't break like Subaru windshields. Subaru will not cover this under warranty and the repair will cost us over $1200 (front cameras need to be realigned). The reason we are reporting this is that our old 2015 Subaru Outback required the windshield to be replaced 4 TIMES in less than 8 years. Obviously this is a defect that Subaru knows about as they extended the warranty for windshields on previous year models, but only for certain defects that started at the top of the windshield. From our perspective this is an unsafe manufacturer defect that needs to be addressed.
NHTSA ODI #11489211
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance
On a reoccurring basis, my Subaru will randomly slam on the breaks, detecting an object that isn't there. Dealership has done nothing, and Subaru of America has ignored my complaints
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Electrical System:wiring
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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