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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.

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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

255 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2022
Visibility/wiper

We purchased this 2022 Subaru Outback on 7/19/22. My wife was driving in the rain to church. She parked the car and attended the church service. After the about 2 hours she went got in the car and noticed 3 cracks in the front windshield. There were no known impacts to the windshield. There are 3 cracks originating from a c…

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We purchased this 2022 Subaru Outback on 7/19/22. My wife was driving in the rain to church. She parked the car and attended the church service. After the about 2 hours she went got in the car and noticed 3 cracks in the front windshield. There were no known impacts to the windshield. There are 3 cracks originating from a center point. 2 of the cracks are about 12 inches longs with the 3rd being about 4 inches long. This cracking started on 7/31/22. We haven't even made the 1st payment yet. Very distressing to say the least.

NHTSA ODI #11477026

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Multiple windshield cracks from small rocks on the highway. Crack has spread across the windshield. We have only owned the car 3 months.

NHTSA ODI #11475534

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

There is a defect in the windshield. I’ve replaced the windshield twice. The first time a rock hit it and it caused the entire windshield to crack. I got the windshield replaced and a week later it cracked again. I replaced it again and 30 minutes later it happened again. My father in law has an Outback as well with the same iss…

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There is a defect in the windshield. I’ve replaced the windshield twice. The first time a rock hit it and it caused the entire windshield to crack. I got the windshield replaced and a week later it cracked again. I replaced it again and 30 minutes later it happened again. My father in law has an Outback as well with the same issue. I also have a colleague with the same exact model vehicle with the same issue. I researched online and there are many owners that have complained about the same thing. When I talked to the dealership where the car was purchased the salesman seemed to have heard about the issue before. The windshield repair shop also said that there are a lot of Subarus that come through the shop with the same issue. I’ve had rocks hit my windshields in past vehicles and I have never seen them crack and spiderweb in this way. It is obvious to me that there is a flaw in the design or manufacturing of these particular windshields.

NHTSA ODI #11475500

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2022
Visibility/wiper

We left the outback wilderness out Overnight under no trees or anything that may cause damage like that. Come outside in the morning, and bam, a 13 inch crack in a semi S shape with no visible chip from a rock. There is absolutely no reason there should be a crack, even if there was a small chip in the glass. That's the cause of…

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We left the outback wilderness out Overnight under no trees or anything that may cause damage like that. Come outside in the morning, and bam, a 13 inch crack in a semi S shape with no visible chip from a rock. There is absolutely no reason there should be a crack, even if there was a small chip in the glass. That's the cause of poor craftsmanship and this deserves a lawsuit alone. Has Subaru of America learned nothing from what happened with the 2015 to 2016 outback and legacy models? What about their most recent lawsuit in 2019 that ranged for the 2017 to 2019 Foresters that also awarded the victim of poor windshields? Do we need to have another lawsuit? If that's the case so be it but I seriously hope the NHTSA kicks off a recall so there is no need for a lawsuit. I love Subaru, I seriously do but they haven't been doing so well with their windshields, their Infotainment systems, and engines.

NHTSA ODI #11475112

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Very tiny rock hit the windshield without much force but still caused a ding in the windshield. Glass appears to be excessively fragile.

NHTSA ODI #11474930

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2022
Visibility/wiper

I have 2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT. The windshield cracked 7 days after purchase. Only have 200 miles on it. Drove at 60mph and suddenly saw a crack on the passenger side of the windshield. Didn't hear any pop sound. The crack was about 17 inch long spreading from the bottom edge passenger side to the center of the windshield…

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I have 2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT. The windshield cracked 7 days after purchase. Only have 200 miles on it. Drove at 60mph and suddenly saw a crack on the passenger side of the windshield. Didn't hear any pop sound. The crack was about 17 inch long spreading from the bottom edge passenger side to the center of the windshield. Took the car to the dealership and was told the windshield is not under warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11474274

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Windshield cracked completely without impact

NHTSA ODI #11473949

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Visibility/wiper

I have the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, which is supposed to have "Gorilla Glass" for the windshield (which looks like two windshields sandwiched together), but only the outer glass was cracked. The windshield developed a cracked starting from the mid-height passenger side edge, and continued towards the driver side, stoppin…

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I have the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, which is supposed to have "Gorilla Glass" for the windshield (which looks like two windshields sandwiched together), but only the outer glass was cracked. The windshield developed a cracked starting from the mid-height passenger side edge, and continued towards the driver side, stopping just prior to the middle of the windshield and then looping under. The vehicle was parked, and when I got in the vehicle the following morning I noticed the crack. I looked closely for an impact point, and there were none. I took pictures and video of the windshield. I contacted Subaru (Pembroke Pines, FL) and they said they had not heard of any issues and told me to reach out to my insurance company, which I did and they directed me to safelite AutoGlass in Miami (2757 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL. 33135) to have the windshield and safety "eyesight" recalibrated. The technician was not able to see any impact point as well. The windshield was replaced with a factory windshield "Gorilla Glass" type and the safety feathers were calibrated.

NHTSA ODI #11473863

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Driving and thought I heard slight cracking noises, couldn't figure out what it was. About 2 minutes later a huge crack about 18" spontaneously appeared from the passenger side of the windshield to nearly the middle of the windshield. No rocks or impact, just out of nowhere.

NHTSA ODI #11473714

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

1. Front Windshield cracks easily instead of chipping. Appears to be under pressure in a strange way and it cracks then starts to delaminate. I had 2 windshields replaced within 30 days. Water also starts to enter the crack and it impacts the wiper blades when in use. 2. Center Info-Tainment system in underpowered to the degree…

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1. Front Windshield cracks easily instead of chipping. Appears to be under pressure in a strange way and it cracks then starts to delaminate. I had 2 windshields replaced within 30 days. Water also starts to enter the crack and it impacts the wiper blades when in use. 2. Center Info-Tainment system in underpowered to the degree that touch response is laggy to the degree to be dangerous. With all the climate controls, radio, gps, and other controls now on the touch screen this slowness is dangerous to the point that should warrant a recall. I've had a system update done and this did not fix the slow touch response. It appears to be underpowered hardware.

NHTSA ODI #11473665

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