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.
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
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2023
On 10/10/21 my wife and I were sitting in a parking lot when we heard a loud crack. The windshield of my Subaru cracked from midline on the passenger side post thru the middle of the windshield. After going through SOA and multiple times back to the dealer, the dealership repaired the windshield for no charge. Three weeks ago my wife and I were sitting at my son's house and a crack appeared once again starting at the bottom of the passenger side, up and through the center of my windshield. I will be working with the dealership to have this one replaced. They told me my first windshield replacement was "complimentary, and one time" so I am not sure how this new repair will go. These windshields have to be considered a safety issue based on the numbers I am starting to see on line.
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.
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.
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2023
Multiple occasions of dead battery or stalling in an intersection have occurred since the car was 6 months old, with mileage of only 3,000 miles. Dead battery accompanied by electrical malfunctions such as loss of nav system, climate control system, and driving safety systems. Battery failure in cold weather in Michigan winter resulting in long waits for tow truck. Loss of heat in very cold temps on a road trip.
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.
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.
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, Jun 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she noticed an 8-inch crack in the windshield extending from the trim midway up on the passenger’s side that was not present the night before. After further observation over the next 24 hours, the crack extended to 20-inches towards the driver’s side, possibly in the driver’s view. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
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.
Service brakes, Jun 13, 2023
On 5/18/2023, I was driving down RT. 30 in Paoli, PA going East. Cars infront of me stopped for the red light. I pushed down on the brakes and the car was not slowing down and not responding. Instead of hitting the car in front of me, I veered to the right & got on the grass, hit 2 signs and finally got the car to stop. Cash Champions fixed my car to the tune of $6,800. I had asked to check the brakes because they failed. They checked the brakes and they told me when I picked up my car, that there was air in the break line with they flushed out. This is 6/13/2023, so in 2 days I am taking the car in for Subaru to check out the brakes. System failure - brakes Safety - My husband and I were in the car and I was driving. We could have hit the car in front of us. To prevent that I veered the car to the right, no traffic. Confirmed by Crash Champions who repaired my car. Not reproduced. Just saw the air in break line. Subaru is getting the car this Thurs. 6/15/23. I do not remember if there were any warning lights. I just followed what I saw.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 12, 2023
Windshield cracked for no reason.
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2023
While driving the light turned red and everyone started breaking. My car failed to brake and slow down so I turned to the right, hit 2 signed, missed an office building. and stopped the car in a Ford Dealership's lot. When the car went to get fixed, I asked the manager to make sure they checked the brakes. They found air in the brake line which could account for the non braking. They flushed the line.. But will it happen again? This car I got 1 year ago, 5600 miles on it. Thanks.
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.
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2023
1. Vehicle doesn’t start when sitting just for a couple of days. Battery isn’t dead as lights, radio, etc work. The vehicle will start if jumped. Happened last year and was in and out of the dealership 3 times with this issue. They replaced the battery, but issue still persisted. They ended up doing a “software update “ which seemed to fix the issue. But just a year later I’m having a very similar issue with the vehicle not starting. This vehicle only has 14,000 miles on it. Do their batteries only last 1 year/ 7l miles? 2. The information screen freezes quite a bit we’re you’re not able to control the radio, air/heat etc. there seems to be electrical issues with this vehicle.
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.