IllustrationWindshield developed a major crack all the way across it from the smallest nick 36 hours after the Nick occurred. This makes me very concerned for the integrity of the windshield in a crash. I am far from the only report of such an item.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
255 reportsWindshield cracked for no apparent reason. It was a 12 in line that started at the passenger side and moved across the windshield horizontally.
While driving, a giant crack appeared in the windshield. This was not caused by an impact.
Windshield crack caused by either a defective windscreen or incorrect installation. -no evidence of damage prior. -cracked overnight. -on both sides of the crack the windshield was offset, one side being higher than the other. The collision center advised that there was likely a 'bad batch' of windshields Subaru installed.
Driving down the highway, I noticed a small crack in the windshield. I didn't hear anything hit it and did not have any cars in front of me. By the time I got home, 20 minutes later, the small crack had grown quite large . I put the car in the garage and didn't drive any more that day. Got up the next day and noticed that o…
Read full complaint
Driving down the highway, I noticed a small crack in the windshield. I didn't hear anything hit it and did not have any cars in front of me. By the time I got home, 20 minutes later, the small crack had grown quite large . I put the car in the garage and didn't drive any more that day. Got up the next day and noticed that overnight the crack had started growing the opposite direction. I got the window replaced and 6 days later it happened again. First time was May 4, 2023. Fixed on May 16 and cracked again May 22. I've been told that replacing windshields in the 2022 Outback is quite common.
Spontaneous windshield crack that spread while vehicle was parked and no damage due to rock or other cause. Appears to be stress fracture and is approximately 20” in length and spreading. This happened previously on my 2020 Subaru Outback in the same exact area of the windshield.
Windshield cracked for no reason.
Windshield crack from bottom while driving
I have had to have my windshield replaced twice since I bought it last June. The first incident occurred when I was traveling on a highway. A small rock hit the driver's side of the windshield and immediately a crack developed. I had the windshield replaced. Within ten days, a crack appeared at the bottom center edge of the new …
Read full complaint
I have had to have my windshield replaced twice since I bought it last June. The first incident occurred when I was traveling on a highway. A small rock hit the driver's side of the windshield and immediately a crack developed. I had the windshield replaced. Within ten days, a crack appeared at the bottom center edge of the new windshield. It was not there when I parked my car at work, but it was there when I left for the day. I even reviewed security cameras but saw nothing that would contribute to the crack. A few days later, another crack emerged at the center edge of the passenger side. Again, this was while the car was parked. Neither crack was in my line of sight so I continued to drive until recently as both cracks have spidered all over the windshield. In scheduling another replacement Subaru tells me this is a result of the windshields with EyeSight being thinner than normal. I find this to be a safety hazard and extremely frustrating, not knowing how many windshields I will have to replace as long as I have this car. Looking online, I see many complaints of this same issue by other consumers of this year/model of car.
The car only left in the parking lot for 8 hours and then crack. No sign of hit.
Official recalls
424V227000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.