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
463 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2022
My windshield on my car cracked randomly overnight from the edge of the windshield coming outward. No chips or any road debris seems to have caused the problem. It just cracked at random about 2 weeks ago now my passenger side window just had the same thing happen overnight
Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2022
Windshield spontaneously cracked with no impact from foreign object.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 1, 2022
My 2022 Subaru Outback is 9 month old with only 9432 miles. On 3/31/2022 the windshield suffered the spontaneous windshield breakage problem that Subaru's suffer from. The windshield cracked from the lower left corner of the glass (looking from the front of the car to the windshield). There was nothing that hit the glass. There is no marks on it other than the crack that starts from the lower left edge. The classic Subaru windshield failure issue.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 1, 2022
In 3 months of owning this vehicle, the Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) system has spontaneously triggered with no cause at least a handful of times (multiple incidents). I am driving with no danger or risk of collision and the vehicle will slam on the brakes and make horrible noises. Not only is this incredibly frustrating, but in an urban driving environment, it is incredibly dangerous.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 30, 2022
Windshield cracked out of no where. I’ve only had this car 1 day and it’s brand new.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 27, 2022
This is on my 2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT around 5500+ miles on my brand car the windshield cracked from the bottom center to the middle straight up. I bought this car in Nov 2021 and this car is always garaged and maintained well. After this incident, we are hesitant to drive hence didn't take the car out for a drive and I see the crack started to expand little by little; which is of more concern for me as this is our family car.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2022
No warning. At about 943 miles on my brand new 2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT the Windshield cracked from bottom center to the middle straight up approximately1 foot. After sitting in the driveway, not being driven at all, it has cracked more, from the center to each side, approximately 2 feet. Now it's a huge "T" crack.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2022
I purchased a brand new 2022 subaru outback. Drove for 2 weeks. Absolutely nothing but raindrops have hit this windshield and a crack began to form at the edge of the windshield and slowly grow across the entire windshield over the course of 2 days. It's right in my eye-line. I went online to see what might be happening and am seeing tons of threads on various sites about this exact problem. I do not feel its fair to pay my full $1000 deductible for damage which I believe is related to a manufacturing or corporate issue. I believe this year needs to be included in the existing recall that I am seeing for similar models.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2022
Found the windshield cracked starting in the middle of the ream on the passenger side. I did not feel any impact point when running my finger on the crack line. Subaru dealer already replaced the OEM windshield for me. I am filling the complaint because I think this is still a quality issue with Subaru not only on the models before 2020 but also on models in 2022. If it is still the quality issue, it will affect to the safety of the driver.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2022
I bought the car in August and on September 15, the windshield cracked. No flying stones or other debris from the road. No noise aside from the sound of the glass cracking. I had it replaced using my insurance, but thought it should be reported for complaint trending purposes.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2022
Have had two instances of damaged windshields in a total of eight months of ownership. First incident was a cracked windshield that occurred overnight and required a full replacement that cost over $1000. The second was a minor rock hit that required repair at $155, and is still very visible post-repair by Safelite, most likely require replacement.
Visibility, Mar 19, 2022
a tiny rock hit my window within the first 2,000 milesand created a 8in crack, with in 6 hours it head spread to over a foot long. Subaru is known for having windshield issues.
Visibility, Mar 18, 2022
Purchased a 2022 Subaru Outback in late October 2021. Have been driving regularly and noticed a crack in the windshield extending from the passenger side windshield edge to the center of the windshield. No impact chip is visible, or by touch. No known rock or debris impact while driving. Have been very careful with my new car and am extremely disappointed.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 18, 2022
Front windshield had to be replaced the same day it was driven off the lot. 2 weeks after replacement the windshield cracked again. Dealership and safe lite both claim it’s not their problem. Insurance stated if I continue getting the windshield replaced after every break then they are going to keep raise my rates because of frequently claiming issues. I paid almost $50,000 for this vehicle which requires 4hrs for replacement and programming because of the front facing cameras it requires for safe driving. 4 hrs …IF …no one else is already scheduled so I’m recommended to leave the car over night but no loaner vehicles will be provided. The additional film required to protect the exterior of the windshield is 300% more expensive than the windshield itself. Now every month I have to replace my windshield due to breaking and the obligatory film I and up paying approximately $500 per instance AND pay an insurance rate increase. How is this fair or legal? My car payment is already $750 per month. Monthly repairs for ONLY the windshield are equaling 80% of my already monthly expenses before any other costs. How is this fair or legal? Is there any open lawsuits I can join or any other options?
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that whenever the weather was below 15 degrees, the vehicle would fail to start up as needed. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2022
Cracked windshield causing visibility issues. Does not appear related to damage.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 12, 2022
Within approximately 1 month of purchasing my windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Nothing that I am aware of hit it. It was parked in an area with no tree's or rocks for less than 20 minutes and when I went back to it I saw the crack. The crack starts from the bottom of the windshield (deicer) and goes up to almost half the windshield.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2022
Witnessed spontaneous crack in windshield while stationary without being hot or impacted by any object. Found numerous similar reports of the same spontaneous windshield cracking complaints on various Subaru enthusiasts web pages and blogs.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2022
My front windshield cracked within the first month of ownership. Thankfully I purchased the windshield repair warranty program that includes about five Replacements without extra cost. About a month after I replaced the windshield it cracked again. If this continues regularly I plan on taking this to small claims court
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2022
We have a Brand New 2022 Subaru Outback premium We parked it in our indoor garage for 1 week. We left no lights on, etc. We came back and could not start the car. The dashboard lit up, a lot of flashing icons, the radio and lights came on. We called service they charged battery fully, we drove car for over an hour. Parked in garage. Today, next morning, same thing Had it towed to local dealer. They said would replace battery, no charge (of course) I checked on line and saw an article about this issue affecting Many Subaru owners, that Subaru is well aware, and has not solved the issue. So people have to replace battery fairly often. I can not rely on this car. I am going to join the Class Action Lawsuit now.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2022
A very short time, only weeks after new purchase, a very small rock impact resulted in large crack across entire windshield. Replaced with very costly genuine branded Subaru Replacement Part. 6 Months into the new windshield, while parked and without any impact, crack formed from the edge to the center of the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2022
While driving at approximately 55 miles per hour, a crack suddenly occurred in the lower passenger side of the front windshield. The crack extended to approximately 20 inches. There was no vehicle in front of the Subaru - no object struck the windshield. The failure mileage was 1100. When taken to the dealership, Subaru determined that the windshield was broken by "outer influences." When taken in to the Subaru dealership for repair, the new windshield had received "some shipping damage" and the repair had to be rescheduled.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2022
While parked and without any impact a Crack formed from the edge to the center of the windshield. There was no impact While driving previously and to this point there is still no impact damage, just a smooth crack accross half the windshield.
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2022
Battery completely died on a nearly brand new car overnight, after being parked for less than 48h at temperatures around 5°F. Took it to a dealer who claims that the LED dome light was left on, draining the battery. However, the dome light is an LED light rated at about 100mA @ 13V, and the battery is rated over 100 Amp-hours (de-rated to 45% at ~0°F, so a single dome light by itself should take around ~450 hours to drain a fully-charged battery. It seems like even brand new Subaru Outback 2022s are affected by major parasitic drain battery issues.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2022
1st windshield crack at 13603 miles 2nd windshield crack less than one month later. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES BETWEN MODEL YEARS 2016-2019 HAVENT COOLANT LEAK ISSUES. THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE WITH 80,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED.