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: visibility/wiper
255 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2023
Our 2022 Subaru Outback windshield has been replaced on 2 occasions & repaired on 1 occasion due to cracking caused by unknown impacts. It has now cracked again while passing a vehicle on the interstate. The vehicle had just 16250 miles at the time of this occurrence. Sadly, we have had more windshield changes than oil changes at this point. Thankfully, we haven't experienced any issues regarding warning lamps or malfunctions of the safety systems as the cracks have not propagated into the cameras line of sight, but we're only one incident away from that possibility. Hopefully this won't result in a safety system malfunction.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 30, 2023
Our 2022 Subaru Outback windshield cracked for a second time with no clear reason. If there was a rock impact it was very light and not noticeable, certainly not sufficient to cause a crack in any other vehicle I have ever driven. We had a 2018 Subaru Legacy and had the windshield crack twice with little or no impact. This is the second time since new that the Subaru Outback windshield has cracked. I have been driving for thirty five years and have never had a windshield crack in any vehicle ever, even with very firm rock strikes. This will be the fourth Subaru windshield I have replaced in just a few years - the second in a year or so. There was a class action lawsuit already in 2018 on this issue. It is clear that Subaru has not fixed this dangerous problem.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2023
While driving my Subaru 2022 Outback with Eyesight Asssist, a 20 inch crack appeared from top left windshield down about 4 inches and across to center of windshield without sound of impact other than plop sound associated with bug hits, not a rock ping. When dealer reviewed, they pointed to a small impact point at center of crack (prior to expansion another 10 inchs the next morning). Impact area 2mm long, 1mm wide. Depth was even less shallow. Because of impact indication, Dealer said it needed to be handled through insurance, not vehicle warranty. I believe this is more a warranty issue.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2023
The windshield made a "pop" sound and had spontaneously cracked from the driver's side pillar towards the center of the windshield, without warning or clear cause. This was all while sitting in the driveway, not in motion. The dealership service department inspection found no point of impact.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 19, 2023
On my second windshield that has cracked.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2023
Windshield 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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2023
Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. It was a 12 in line that started at the passenger side and moved across the windshield horizontally.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 15, 2023
While driving, a giant crack appeared in the windshield. This was not caused by an impact.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 15, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 12, 2023
Windshield cracked for no reason.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2023
Windshield crack from bottom while driving
Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 28, 2023
The car only left in the parking lot for 8 hours and then crack. No sign of hit.
Visibility/wiper, May 25, 2023
Small chip in windshield turned into larger crack, spreading across windshield by the morning.
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 9, 2023
Small crack appeared and then became huge
Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2023
Never had a windshield so sensitive in the many many cars I've owned over the years. We haver had several chips filled that just randomly appear on the glass and never heard or saw anything hit. Finally one morning went out to the car to find a 12" long crack on the passenger side of the windshield. Paid my deductible and had it replaced and the NEXT DAY, less than 24 hours later sitting in a parking lot and it randomly cracked again. Took it back to the repair shop and they said it wasn't a problem with their install and I need to pay AGAIN for another windshield? These things shouldn't be cracking and chipping this easily.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2023
I was parked on my family’s driveway in Southern California. The car had been stations for about 3hrs and was parked outside. 10-30seconds after unlocking and starting the car I had a loud crunch/crack sound at which point I saw a 2-4” dual crack that appeared in the centre of the windshield. This happened while stationary without any impact. The crack size increased with vechicle movement. I’d like to report this as a concern give the sudden and unexpected nature of this crack to the front windshield
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2023
Horizontal stress crack middle of windshield from driver side to almost center of windshield. Stress crack keeps extending towards passenger side. Car was parked outside, sunny day @ 78DEG. Are clostest to edge I can get my fingernail in maybe the thickness of 3-4 sheets of paper. Line of site obscured due to crack.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2023
Windshield crack formed despite no outside cause. In morning it was there. I went to Schlossman Subaru and they documented situation and said they would contact Subaru. I have tried to contact them several times for follow-up but they have not responded.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2023
Large crack developed in the lower/middle driver’s side windshield, spreading to the middle of the windshield. There is no obvious/apparent damage that caused this, with the crack starting at the edge of the windshield, and spreading inward.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2023
The windshield developed a large crack while sitting in the driveway. It started about midway up on the passanger side and extended about a foot and a half.