2022 Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (254) · Electrical System (24) · Visibility:windshield (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Outback model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2024-03-22 · campaign 24V227000 · 118,723 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 2023-11-09 · campaign 23V755000 · 95,830 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield 2022-09-22 · campaign 22V712000 · 42 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) 2022-07-01 · campaign 22V473000 · 15 vehicles
Defect: 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).
Risk: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (405)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 405 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-06 · Unknown Or Other“my subaru often stalls when the start-stop function is happening such as when i stop at a traffic light. when i lift my foot off the break, the engine tries to restart, but stalls out. it happens at almost every stop. i had my battery tested and it is fine. this week, the car actually completely stalled out in heavy traffic and i had to put it in p…”
2026-09-30 · Engine“catastrophic motor failure at highway speed. i had just come of the interstate 10 and stopped at the end of the off ramp. i made a right turn on to a 2 lane county highway and accelerated back up to 65mph. as i attained speed, the vehicle lost power. the accelerator pedal was dead and the vehicle did not respond to my input. the oil pressure warn…”
2026-09-15 · Electrical System“in september 2026, after a jump start, my vehicle's battery emitted a strong sulfur/rotten-egg odor, indicating overheating and overcharging. i was advised to shut it off immediately. the vehicle is now undrivable and parked, and i am concerned it presents a fire risk. this is the latest failure of a chronic electrical defect documented in the deal…”
2026-08-31 · Suspension“during normal vehicle operation, the castle nut came off the control arm causing it to disengage from the wheel. it is currently with the dealer for inspection and service. they still have not confirmed if this and the associated damage will be covered under the extended warranty. i have also reached out to subaru of america as this is a safety con…”
2026-08-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my 2022 subaru outback premium has had repeated intermittent stall/no-start events. the exact failed component is unknown, but the issue appears related to the fuel system, engine control, electrical system, or heat-related sensor/relay failure. the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. the first event occurred while parked: the engine…”
2026-08-12 · Unknown Or Other“i am submitting a complaint regarding the battery in my 2022 subaru outback. the original battery failed after only approximately 2½ years of normal use. this issue became a serious safety concern when my vehicle stopped at a traffic light at a very busy intersection and died. i was unable to safely move the vehicle and felt that i was in a danger…”
2026-08-05 · Power Train“when traveling eat 6-65 mph and needing to merge and stepping on the gas pedal all the way the car would just sit there and do nothing for 1-2 seconds. this was not a one off situation. the car would do this regularly until i found out subaru had a fix for the transmission software. i recently had to pay to have this done even though my car was …”
2026-07-31 · Visibility/Wiper“vehicle is exhibiting signs of a possible design defect which causes windshields to prematurely crack, break, or shatter. my vehicle is a 22 subaru outback that when bought new, in the first week of ownership developed a windshield crack that the dealer ship refused to replace under warranty. we worked a deal out and were responsible for a percent…”
2026-07-24 · Engine · 58,000 mi“the contact owns a 2022 subaru outback. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the message "eyesight disabling" was displayed. no warning light was illuminated. the vehicle then lost motive power and was unable to restart. the contact called 911, and two bystanders assisted in pushing the vehicle to a …”
2026-07-23 · Electrical System“i parked my 22 subaru outback in my enclosed garage about 11:00 am. i was in and out of the garage at least five times between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm and in a room next to the garage the rest of the time. at 6:00 pm i went into my backyard. upon returning inside the house about 7:30 pm i heard the car running in the garage. the car had remotely start…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.