2022 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 463 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2022 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMar 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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 24V227000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switchNov 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.
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V755000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshieldSep 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."
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 22V712000 on NHTSA.gov
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).
A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V473000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2024
My husband bought this vehicle in 2021. It was brand new and since we have had it we have had to replace the windshield many times! We are now going in for its 6th replacement this week! This will be the 4th one that we have had to pay a deductible. The first time it happened the dealership replaced it because it happened within a short time of purchasing it. The second time, we were told to contact Subaru of America and they said to go back to the dealer. When we did, the dealership says it would only cover the first one so we had satellite do it through an insurance claim. Fast forward 2 years and like I said earlier in this complaint we are getting a 6th one put in on Friday! Just ridiculous from my standpoint. My husband loves his car and usually doesn’t like to be confrontational so I am the one doing this complaint! I also use the Outback every so often.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2024
1. 2022 Outback windshield, on passenger side, has cracked twice in the same spot. We bought the vehicle brand new. It currently has 9300 miles on it. The vehicle is driven approx. 8 miles a day and sits in our garage 95% of the time. 2. Safety & visibility is affected as the crack spreads across the windshield. 3. Yes, I paid a Subaru service center $1600 to repair the windshield in January 2024. By May, it was cracked again in the same spot. The problem has been reproduced SEVERAL times as confirmed by this Reddit chat [XXX] . Yes, the first crack was inspected by Subaru service technicians. 5. No warnings. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2024
Windshield constantly cracks after no or hardly any impact. I’m constantly holding my breath even if it’s hit by a bug, bird poop, or even a rain drop. The windshields are terrible. I’ve gone through 2 replacements and one sealed crack.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2024
Windshield has cracked horizontally without an impact in the same spot two times now. Both times the car was sitting in the driveway. The first was in April of 2022 and began on the passenger side about 1' up from the bottom of the windshield. I had it repaired but was not told how the crack appeared. Now in February of 2024 I have the same crack beginning in the same spot with no sign of an impact again. I plan to have it repaired again, but will assume the crack will happen again in the next few years.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2024
Windshield pressure cracked from passenger side to middle. Horizontal crack, no chip/impact damage. Was parked at night and woke up to crack in the morning. No visible chips or damage to create crack. Literally cracked on its own.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2024
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2023
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2023
Noticed that there’s a crack on the windshield at the passenger side. There is no evident of impact.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2023
The windshield on my 2022 Subaru Outback has cracked twice with a year's time without impact! The first crack in February 2023 was detected after the car was parked overnight. The crack extended from the edge of the windshield on the drivers side and into the field of vision by approx. 24". The dealer said it was an impact however no impact of any kind occurred. I reported it to Corproate Subaru offices (Case#230120-1800472), who agreed to replace the windshield and the associated eyesight camera equipment, most likely because there are many incidences of this happening with their vehicles. The most recent re-occurrence of the windshield cracking without impact happened in early Dec. 2023. Again, no impact occurred and the crack was found after the vehicle was parked for about an hour after I attended a gallery opening. This time the dealer once again performed the same test performed in February (by using a pen that notes an indentation the size of a pinhead). Once again the crack starts from the edge of the windshield and extends through the line of vision by about 24" which creates a severe safety issue, especially when driving at night. Although the Subaru Corporate office replaced the first incident of this, they are now saying with the new case I opened (Case 231204-1901299) that they won't replace the most recent incident, even when it is exactly the same as the first! It seems as though Subaru won't own up to the fact that their windshields are faulty and have a propensity for stress fractures which is a serious safety issue.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2023
stayed in Bangor Maine cold night frost on windshield, turned on defrost within several minute my wife noticed two small cracks at the bottom of the windshield ,within several minutes the progress up wards for about 5bin and joined together and continued to about 10 on and started across to the drivers side ,the crack is about b14 in long at this time ,wet to a subaru dealer they tried to convince it was a rock, I pointed out the crack was at the bottom of the window and ,said he could nothing.Went to a nation repair window business they confirmed it was not a rock, their opinion there is a flaw in the glass.There was no prior symptom to this taking place
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2023
Windshield cracked for no reason. Vehicle was parked under the carport. It's a crack about 8" long starting from the drivers side windshield post.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2023
Windshield cracked without any impact. The crack started on the drivers side right on the edge of the windshield.
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2023
Fuel gauge reading incorrectly. Shows full tank and it is not full. Also mpg and mileage range indicators fluctuate, sometimes wildly
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2023
Windshield cracked with rock impact April 2023. Crack spread immediately across the entire windshield. Replacement was done May 30, 2023. 3 weeks after replacement, the new windshield cracked with no evidence of impact.Car was parked and not moving at the time crack occured. Crack spread immediately accross the entire windshield. Replacement of 2nd windshield was done June 3, 2023.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
The relatively new car (2022) stalls out randomly at intersections and red lights. This is a major safety issue as we have had the car totally shut down in the middle of 2 busy intersections. We had to dial 911 and have the police come to assist. We brought the car to the dealer and they did not find a problem but it continued to happen. There were no warning lights or messages - stalling happened randomly. May be related to the gas saver engine stop feature when at a complete stop.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2023
Case Number: # 230715-1900405 The car was just sitting in the garage, I got up the next day and saw a huge crack starting from the passenger side of the windshield for no reason. My 2022 outback is a year old, there is no origin of the crack, no chip! It seems to be a clean crack as if someone cut it! We are legitimately concerned about the cause and how easily this crack appeared on the windshield without being hit and is expanding too! We trusted Subaru with its safety excellency but this crack is a huge safety concern for us and it really doesn’t seem like it appeared because of a chip or anything. Dealership says it could be because of banging the door or cold hot climate changes, does this mean we need to change windshield every season or every time someone bangs the door? It’s been just above a year we got this car and we certainly didn’t get expect to see a crack this huge without any reason for it!
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2023
Observed 3 cracks on the Subaru outback - Touring Windshield and instances as below: First Crack observed on 1st of July 11 am Second crack on 4th of July around at 4:15 PM Third crack on 4th of July at 8 PM Case opened with Subaru of America with case num: Case # 230707-1700738 5th July i had visited a Subaru dealer in Missoula,Montana but it was no help. 10th July visited Eastside Subaru and shared the photos for further diagnosis. now they are asking me to take one more appointment with the dealer removing the tape and taking the photos again. As the eye sight protection is the key in safety of Subaru driver and passengers this will lead to dangerous situation. There are no warning lamps or symptoms observed before the incident
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2023
Sirius radio ads showing up while driving interfering with media console and acting as a distraction hazard. Intentional design flaw. The ad specifically shows up while the car is in motion, not when parked. I have explicitly non-consented these ads due to their hazard and they persist.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2023
Driving on a Thursday morning, 62 degrees outside, and my sunroof exploded. I live in northwest Kansas. No trees, no variation in temperature.
Other or unspecified, May 23, 2023
Windshield cracked
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 23, 2023
Car was parked in garage. 14 inch crack appeared in windshield with no impact. Crack just appeared while car was parked.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2023
Bought 2022 Subaru with eyesight system October 2022. We have replaced this windshield 4 times. Once was 1 month old after backing out of garage in cold weather and it cracked spontaneously. Since then we replaced entire windshield in December 2022, Feb 2023, March 2023 and May 2023 Subaru reports windshield is now made from acoustic glass but are not holding up against normal use.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2023
parked my car in the garage one night 2 days later got in it and it and a huge crack in it. started from the edge of the drivers side. no apparent chip, dont remember a rock hitting it - it is just cracked
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2023
I bought this car Jan2022. Windshield cracked around March 2022. Again windshield cracked 5/1/2023.
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2023
We purchased this vehicle new July 2022. December 29 2022 the windshield cracked due to unknown causes. March 19, 2023 a small rock hit the windshield while on on ramp to interstate and the windshield instantly had a large crack. We have never had a vehicle windshield crack this easily.