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
280 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2024
Merging off the interstate at a speed of 75mph onto an off ramp at 7pm with 4 adults in the car and when I started braking the windshield cracked from the passages side a pillar in towards the center of the window approximately 7 inches. There were no other vehicles around us and no signs of a chip or previous damage that could have caused the break in the glass.The crack is halfway up/down the windshield and runs horizontal.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2024
The windshield cracked from bottom of passenger side to the center of glass for no reasons, while the car was fully stopped, without any external impact. There were no harms caused to passengers, but it is concerning because the windshield could crack anytime without external impact. This didn't get recognized by dealership as a defect, they claim it was due to external impact. Yes, dealership has inspected the vehicle. No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2024
After doing grocery shopping, I returned to the vehicle, loaded my purchases, and upon getting into the driver's seat, noticed a large "Y" shaped crack in the windshield. The crack wasn't there when I arrived at the store. I've owned the vehicle less than a week, bought it used with less than 14K miles on it.
Visibility, Aug 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked after an impact. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass, where the windshield was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the windshield was inspected, and the dealer confirmed that the windshield had cracked due to an impact. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to Safelite Auto Glass, and the windshield replacement was covered by the Insurance provider; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was re-opened. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 17, 2024
I was driving to work and a car kicked up a small rock that struck the lower left portion of my windshield. There was no chip created at the time. Several minutes later, I heard an audible pop and 4 - 6 inch long crack appeared in the same area. Within minutes, the crack traveled across the windshield and extended about one foot further. Within a few days, the crack extended to the middle of the windshield and traveled upwards towards the attachment point for the rear view mirror. It's long enough now where I'm worried about it interfering with Eyesight. When I examined the area where the stone impacted, I can see several very small pits where the rock hit, but each pit is probably no larger than 1/64th of an inch in diameter. Given the behavior of the crack and reports I've heard from others, I suspect that the glass is too thin and under stress the way it's mounted to the car. This fault has been reported over and over on social media and has cost owners many thousands of dollars to correct.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2024
Second windshield cracked with no impact. This I’d the second time within a year that this has happened to me. Like last time the crack isn’t on the outermost layer, and if you run your finger along the crack it feels completely smooth. This is quite frankly unacceptable with how expensive these windshields are to replace.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2024
I have replaced the windshield for a second time resulting from a (non-impact) stress fracture coming from the passenger side A Pillar. It seems to be exactly the same spot as previous. The crack is large enough to put a credit card in at the start then wanders in varying directions with a finer crack. This time an aftermarket glass was available which I was told is thicker and more durable that the OEM glass. I am told Subaru has extremely thin OEM glass which they are having industry problems with. If it has any significance there is a dent in the passenger door jam B-Pillar which was there from new and painted over. It seems to be a result of manufacturing robotics possibly. I do not know if this is a clue to two windshields stress cracking.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2024
Windshield glass broke spontaneously and randomly with no impact associated with the crack. The crack extends all the way across the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 12, 2024
Went out to driveway and started car. Heard a ping. a few minutes later the windshield started to crack from drivers side bottom corner upward across the field of vision. At first it was about a foot long but spread to about 3 feet. No sign of impact.
Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2024
Windshield cracked on passenger side starting below the lower interface to the plenum. Crack was not caused by impact by debris nor a collision.
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2024
I washed my car the night before and put it in the garage where it usually is parked at night. Upon getting in to start it and go to work noticed a 6inch crack start from the lower center part of the windshield. There was no impact as it was literally sitting inside my garage all night long. It looks like it stars from below the trim.
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2024
While driving on a Saturday heard a popping sound and watched a crack start at bottom center of windshield travel up about 7" and arc to the right. Has now spread about 13" towards passenger side. No impact occurred to cause this. On Monday took vehicle to our dealership so they could take pictures and check it out. Said they would talk to the Subaru District Manager and let me know about replacement. Dealership called me to say they agreed to replace as long as I paid a $250 deductible. This doesn't seem right when this is an issue that many many people are having. This was my third Outback and will now be my last. I can't support a brand that won't step up to take care of something that is obviously a serious issue.
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2024
I’ve been reading about easily cracked windshields on Subarus, and sure enough, my windshield cracked this morning. To be clear, there is a tiny impact point from probably a pebble or something, but the glass should not have cracked that easily. Probably about an 8 inch J crack right in the center bottom of the windshield. I’m in the process of talking with Subaru to see if it will be covered.
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)
Visibility, May 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the windshield cracked without impact. The contact stated that the failure was a known issue with the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2024
Windshield suffered a large stress crack while parked overnight. Came out to an 18” stress crack in the morning. A long, single, curved crack with no point of impact. Later in the day, still while parked, the stress crack extended half the width of the windshield. Took the car to the dealership and was informed that the windshield is not covered under warranty.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 18, 2024
In the two years I have had this vehicle, I have had to replace the windshield twice. The first time, a pebble hit the windshield and a 6-8 inch crack immediately appeared, The crack increased in size over days and nearly went across the whole windshield. Because this was a few months after purchase, Subaru replaced it. Now in March 2024 and another pebble hit the windshield, this one so small i didn't even see it and a 8 inch crack immediately appeared. The crack increased in days as well. Subaru would not cover it and told me to go through my insurance. I waited to get it repaired and during this time another pebble hit the glass. Again, another 6-8 inch crack. Subaru refuses to take responsibility that this is a manufacturer issue. I've had 3 other Subaru vehicles and this never occurred.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2024
Windshield cracked when vehicle was traveling at a slow rate of speed, in the rain while on an on/off ramp. It has already been repaired. Crack went across the windshield right in my line of vision. The dealer examined the car and stated that at some point, the windshield was hit and that it just eventually cracked. There was no warning prior, I had not noticed any nicks prior to the crack.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 23, 2024
While on highway 880 north bound. A rock was thrown towards our windshield while going through construction zone.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2024
While parked and without impact from any object, the windshield cracked causing visibility issues for the driver leading to unsafe driving conditions for those inside and outside the vehicle. The problem is a common issue among many Subaru vehicles. The issue has been reported but not yet inspected. There were no warnings before the issue appeared.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2024
A crack developed in the windshield on the passenger's side spontaneously. We got in the car in the morning and noticed it. There are not any chips/indents where a stone/rock may have started the damage, but starts at the edge of the windshield. It started about 8 inches and now it is about 20 inches in less than 24 hours. We called our insurance company to ask about repairing it. Our deductible is $1000 so we will need to pay most all of it out of pocket. They let us know that unfortunately they've been seeing similar issues with other policyholder's subaru windshields the past 5 years or so and for us to contact the Subaru corporate office. We will be having it replaced by Safelite.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2024
2 Spontaneous damaged windshields.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2024
I parked at a store, i came out an hour later and there was about a foot long crack in my windshield. I asked to look at the security footage of the store and there was no contact from anything or anyone with the windshield. There is not point of impact, the windshield simply cracked on its own on the passenger side. There was absolutely no sign of any damage before this and i had recently had inspection at the dealership and there was no mention of any issues with the windshield. I reached out to the salesman who sold me this car from the Subaru dealership about 3 months ago and he said they could not help. I reached out to Subaru Customer Advocacy and they are contacting dealership, I have not heard back.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2024
I parked the vehicle at a local restaurant in the sun. The windshield cracked from midpoint passenger side to middle and f windshield. No impact from rock or other item and I had the car in sight at all times while in the restaurant. This is a defective part. When I bought the car I paid extra to have a special coating put on at the dealership due to a known thin glass problem on Subarus.