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2022 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2022 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

About this comparison →

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
41,000 miles · Jan 14, 2025
Visibility

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, she became aware of a 16-inch crack on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack had started close to the passenger’s side A-pillar, approximately 3-inches above the passenger’s side windshield wiper. The contact st…

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The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, she became aware of a 16-inch crack on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack had started close to the passenger’s side A-pillar, approximately 3-inches above the passenger’s side windshield wiper. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the garage when she became aware of the crack. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or glass shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #11635793

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2025
Power Train

I noticed a metal sound when I accelerated then the car jerked forward a few times. Shortly afterwards, ~5 min, the dashboard lights came on:Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature, Blind-Spot Detection, Check Engine, EyeSight System, Reverse Auto Braking and Vehicle Dynamic Control. I was able to drive slowly back home but not …

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I noticed a metal sound when I accelerated then the car jerked forward a few times. Shortly afterwards, ~5 min, the dashboard lights came on:Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature, Blind-Spot Detection, Check Engine, EyeSight System, Reverse Auto Braking and Vehicle Dynamic Control. I was able to drive slowly back home but not sure what is going on with this 3 year old car with 47,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11635558

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2025
Visibility/wiper

Front windshield glass developed spontaneous crack. Originating on the drivers side approximately 8 inches up from the bottom drivers side of the glass. Initially the crack was about 5 inches in length horizontal but quickly developed to be 12.5 inches over 24 hours in a garage. Glass is available for inspection. There is n…

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Front windshield glass developed spontaneous crack. Originating on the drivers side approximately 8 inches up from the bottom drivers side of the glass. Initially the crack was about 5 inches in length horizontal but quickly developed to be 12.5 inches over 24 hours in a garage. Glass is available for inspection. There is no discernible impact point and crack seems to be spontaneous. An appointment at the dealership for assessment was booked and rescheduled pending extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11635528

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

The Thermo control valve on the vehicle failed. This has been such a consistent problem, that Subaru has extended the warranty for this item to 150K miles. I realize that alone is not a safety problem, but the issue is that when there is a check engine light error, the system shuts down the cruise control, lane departure, coll…

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The Thermo control valve on the vehicle failed. This has been such a consistent problem, that Subaru has extended the warranty for this item to 150K miles. I realize that alone is not a safety problem, but the issue is that when there is a check engine light error, the system shuts down the cruise control, lane departure, collision avoidance (EyeSIGHT), and XMODE (all wheel drive). The safety issue is shutting down these unconnected safety features because of a check engine light. I will say that the dealer promptly fixed the problem at no charge under the extended warranty. my concern was the loss of the 4 wheel drive right as major snow was hitting the Mid Atlantic Area.

NHTSA ODI #11634670

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2025
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

The touchscreen shuts down and makes the safety features shut off. This use to happen a few times per quarter, but now is happening a few times per month. Happens always while driving which causes the adaptive cruise to shut off, causing deceleration, the eyesight shuts off, the controls on the keyboard are not available. It tak…

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The touchscreen shuts down and makes the safety features shut off. This use to happen a few times per quarter, but now is happening a few times per month. Happens always while driving which causes the adaptive cruise to shut off, causing deceleration, the eyesight shuts off, the controls on the keyboard are not available. It takes a minute or two for the screen to reboot and safety features to re-engage, this causes distraction and possible safety hazard. Additionally, the speakers randomly will blast so loud it startles and distracts everyone in the car. This seems to happen randomly, can be at start up, or after sound system has been in use. Additionally, the power windows occasionally will not go back up. Thry reverse partway through raising. Then we have to wait a few seconds and try again. Please make Subaru issue a recall and remedy for-the control screen issue. It is the most dangerous problem we’ve listed here.

NHTSA ODI #11634209

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2025
Visibility/wiper

In November we used the car for a road trip and returned to our home in Snellville, GA on [XXX] parked the car, unloaded the contents, and put the sunshade in the windshield as we always do. The next day (XXX), I opened the car and removed a few small items used during the trip and walked around the car inspecting the exterior…

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In November we used the car for a road trip and returned to our home in Snellville, GA on [XXX] parked the car, unloaded the contents, and put the sunshade in the windshield as we always do. The next day (XXX), I opened the car and removed a few small items used during the trip and walked around the car inspecting the exterior of the car for anything that may have changed due to this trip. At this time, I noticed a crack in the windshield that was not there the evening before. I had driven the car the entire trip and there was no time when something could have struck the windshield and precipitated this crack. I have been in a vehicle when a rock from the road has been kicked up by a vehicle ahead of me and struck the windshield. This type of impact can clearly be heard by passengers in the front seat, as it makes a considerable sound when striking the glass (similar to the sound of a small caliber weapon being fired). These is no indication on the exterior of the glass that this or any other external influence damaged and caused this windshield to crack. As I stated earlier, this windshield was not cracked when we exited the car the evening before. It is plainly visible when sitting in either of the front passenger seats and we would have noticed this. In my view this defect could have only been caused by mechanical stress between the mounting surface and windshield sometime between our arrival home and when this was first noted by us the next day. We have requested a replacement windshield under warranty. Subaru of America has denied our request, with the following statement: "Not a matter for warranty, outside influence" We are aware that this vehicle is included in a Class Action Lawsuit at the web site below. This crack is a safety issue and appears to be a defect based on information in the lawsuit. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11633641

13,927 miles · Dec 13, 2024
Parking BrakePower Train

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined driveway, the vehicle erroneously rolled backwards. The failure occurred on several occasions and the parking brake was not activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on two separate occasions, but no cause …

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The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined driveway, the vehicle erroneously rolled backwards. The failure occurred on several occasions and the parking brake was not activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on two separate occasions, but no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 13,927.

NHTSA ODI #11630497

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2024
Visibility/wiper

I was driving on the interstate, with no cars around me and I heard the windshield crack, the crack went from 3 inches to about 30 inches. There is no reason why this would have happened other than a defective windshield.

NHTSA ODI #11630085

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

The car has been to the dealership five times for electrical/computer issues. First the main dash UI computer screen would occassionally lock up and freeze shutting all safety systems off. (cruise control, lane holding, blind spot warning, etc.) Then the battery failure issues started - basically four times the car when parked …

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The car has been to the dealership five times for electrical/computer issues. First the main dash UI computer screen would occassionally lock up and freeze shutting all safety systems off. (cruise control, lane holding, blind spot warning, etc.) Then the battery failure issues started - basically four times the car when parked and sitting overnight for approximately one week - will not start and the battery is completely dead. This is a know Subaru issue with earlier models and even involved a class action lawsuit. Subaru has not fixed the issue in newer model cars and continues to deny it is an issue. This is gross negligence by continuing to make unsafe cars with the same flaw and nof fixing the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11628810

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2024
Visibility/wiper

Have second deep crack with light rock impact in less than one year

NHTSA ODI #11625352

Official recalls

4

24V227000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 22, 2024

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.

23V755000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Nov 9, 2023

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.

22V712000 · Visibility:windshield

Sep 22, 2022

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.

22V473000 · Electrical System:wiring; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm)

Jul 1, 2022

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems