What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2022 Subaru Outback

Early-defect pattern

38.9% of complaints about the 2022 Subaru Outback came in its first year of service — a higher share than 96% of the 181 2022 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is visibility / wipers (253 complaints), typically at 1.2 yr.

Complaints
550
Median age at failure
1.5 yr
Median mileage
14,000 n=46
Crash / fire / tow
5.8% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Visibility / wipers
253 reports
1.2 yr
0%
Other
83 reports
1.7 yr
0%
Electrical system
49 reports · 25,000 mi
1.8 yr
12.2%
Collision avoidance
38 reports
1.2 yr
15.8%
Visibility
26 reports · 7,000 mi
1.0 yr
0%
Engine
20 reports · 23,000 mi
3.0 yr
25%
Power train
18 reports · 13,927 mi
2.6 yr
11.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V227000 2024-03-22
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

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.

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

23V755000 2023-11-09
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

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.

An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V712000 2022-09-22
Visibility:windshield

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."

An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

22V473000 2022-07-01
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).

A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
Pulled into my driveway, put the car in PARK, ran in the house for 5 seconds, car was rolling down the driveway when I came back to it. Got back in the car to leave (also checked to see that the gear shifter was in park which it was). I have several videos of this incident happening via cameras attached to my house. In the video you can see my wife (who is legally blind) jump out of the car because she didn't know what else to do.
Power train mileage not reported 2.6 yr in service
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V755000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train mileage not reported 2.9 yr in service
Was just driving when I noticed my car was sounding louder than usual. Then when I stared it after running some errands it sounds like a bad engine nock. So I took it in for an oil change and they told me it was a cracked exhaust manifold. Also told me it fine to drive and shouldn’t cause further problems. Then I started to smell heavy exhaust smells inside the cab of the car. Now I have to drive it with windows down or risk passing out or dying
Other mileage not reported 0 mo in service
The windshield is warped on the passenger side, approximately 6 - 8 inches from the right seal, bottom corner. This creates a blurred distortion from traffic merging to the right, and causes a hazard in spatial relationship to the vehicle. Pictures show distortions through the windshield that do not exist. This has nearly caused me to be in accidents. The dealer is checking with Subaru on the issue; the service rep acknowledged seeing the warping through the windshield.

Other Outback model years

2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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