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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2024
Visibility/wiper

The vehicle's front windshield has cracked twice in nearly the exact same manner, location, and type of damage. In both cases, a presumably very small piece of debris that I couldn't see and could barely hear hit the windshield and instantly cracked the windshield. The windshield cracked in the same manner (one large lateral cra…

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The vehicle's front windshield has cracked twice in nearly the exact same manner, location, and type of damage. In both cases, a presumably very small piece of debris that I couldn't see and could barely hear hit the windshield and instantly cracked the windshield. The windshield cracked in the same manner (one large lateral crack about 8" towards the center and 6" all the way through the right side edge of the windshield). Both instances left a very small pock mark where the crack originated. The first instance occurred in May 2022 (I had owned the car for one week); the second instance occurred December 2023. The incidents were not inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. I have photos of both windshields. I still have the second cracked windshield installed, but plan to replace it soon since it is unsafe to drive with.

NHTSA ODI #11566806

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2024
Exterior Lighting

Low beam headlights are aimed too high from the factory. I have asked the dealer to adjust them, but there are only two options for aiming and the lower position only casts light about 20 feet in front of the vehicle. During nighttime driving my car is consistently blinding oncoming traffic as evidenced by oncoming traffic flash…

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Low beam headlights are aimed too high from the factory. I have asked the dealer to adjust them, but there are only two options for aiming and the lower position only casts light about 20 feet in front of the vehicle. During nighttime driving my car is consistently blinding oncoming traffic as evidenced by oncoming traffic flashing their high beams regularly.

NHTSA ODI #11566458

40,000 miles · Jan 11, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, there was a smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed smoke coming from the battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, wh…

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The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, there was a smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed smoke coming from the battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11564900

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Windshield cracked by itself, was not hit by rock or anything. Was parked in my garage came out next morning and their was crack. Started from middle outside edge passenger side and extends to middle of windshield under eyesight. Calling dealer in the morning and insurance.

NHTSA ODI #11563972

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Visibility/wiper

Windshield crack originating from under wiper area after a cold day. No known rock impact. Found a super small spot around the size of a period under the wiper blade. Second broken windshield in 18 months. These windshields do not seem very durable

NHTSA ODI #11562961

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I’ve had 4 windshield replacements as a result of cracks that have appeared at random. The dealership has replaced windshield but there is clearly a defect in windshield design and could effect my airbags and other safety measures were an accident to occur.

NHTSA ODI #11561918

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Large crack in windshield extending to lower edge of passenger side without any inciting event with a rock chip or otherwise. Temp was 64 degrees and occurred while parked in the driveway. This is second occurrence. This same event also occurred in May of this year and Subaru covered under warranty as there was no damage. Saf…

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Large crack in windshield extending to lower edge of passenger side without any inciting event with a rock chip or otherwise. Temp was 64 degrees and occurred while parked in the driveway. This is second occurrence. This same event also occurred in May of this year and Subaru covered under warranty as there was no damage. Safelight now is advertising to fix these Subaru windshields with eyesight as it is so common to crack without damage. Need a recall and thicker windshield.

NHTSA ODI #11561834

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2023
Visibility/wiper

Purchased the 2022 outback in April and very shortly after, had a cracked windshield right in the middle of the driver's line of sight. There was no noticeable sign of impact on the windshield. Replaced with a "deal" from the dealer at $1000. Not even 4k miles later, another Crack that's spread on the passenger side, in the mid…

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Purchased the 2022 outback in April and very shortly after, had a cracked windshield right in the middle of the driver's line of sight. There was no noticeable sign of impact on the windshield. Replaced with a "deal" from the dealer at $1000. Not even 4k miles later, another Crack that's spread on the passenger side, in the middle of the windshield. Dealer says $1500 to replace (insurance is a $1000 deductible). Again. No noticeable sign of impact causing the Crack. Looking to now replace this new vehicle as our household cannot afford to replace these windshields every few thousand miles.

NHTSA ODI #11561617

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Noticed that there’s a crack on the windshield at the passenger side. There is no evident of impact.

NHTSA ODI #11561301

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2023
Visibility/wiper

While driving small pebble fell on windshield causing approx. 1mm chipp. Within minutes that chipp turned into 9-10" crack from bottom center into passenger side. Never had a windshield so sensitive. I have 2014 Forester with few similar windshield chipps but they stay the same, do not cause cracks. It looks to me that Outback w…

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While driving small pebble fell on windshield causing approx. 1mm chipp. Within minutes that chipp turned into 9-10" crack from bottom center into passenger side. Never had a windshield so sensitive. I have 2014 Forester with few similar windshield chipps but they stay the same, do not cause cracks. It looks to me that Outback windshield does not hold up against normal use.

NHTSA ODI #11561083

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