2022 Subaru Legacy problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Legacy, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 34
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 8,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 34 complaints (50%).
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (5) and electrical system (3) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 8,000 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
- The 2022 Subaru Legacy has 2 recalls on file.
- It ranks 7th of 21 Subaru Legacy model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 10% more complaints than the 2021 model year (31).
2022 Subaru Legacy problems by category
- Visibility & Wipers17 complaints
- Other / Unknown8 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes5 complaints
- Electrical System3 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 2 crashes2 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain1 complaints
- Engine · 1 crash1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Brakes · 1 crash1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 16 |
| Unknown or other | 8 |
| Electrical system | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 3 |
| Air bags | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control | 2 |
| Lane departure: assist | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2022 Subaru Legacy recalls (2)
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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.
Recent 2022 Subaru Legacy complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 2, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain
On September 19, 2026, at approximately 93,500 miles, my vehicle suddenly lost drive power while I was driving in active traffic at about 22 to 23 mph (based on scan tool freeze frame data). Another vehicle was close behind me, and the sudden loss of propulsion created a real risk of a rear-end collision. I was able to get off the road and drive home at reduced power. The next day the vehicle would not engage Drive or Reverse and was inoperable. Component: The CVT (automatic…
NHTSA complaint #11768627 · source - Filed Sep 29, 2026PACrash1 injuredAirbagsBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
The vehicle engaged the automatic braking system also known as phantom breaking while there was no objects on the roadway at the time of the incident it was 5:15 a.m. dark and light rain when approaching a curve on the road driving approximately 30 mph the system engaged and applied the brakes in the curve which in turn put the t legal into a slide causing a vehicle crash. Furthermore the airbags did not deploy the police officers were very dumbfounded with the amount of…
NHTSA complaint #11767677 · source - Filed Jul 6, 2026OHCrashDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
Driving my car at 39mph and approaching a vehicle stopped at an intersection perpendicular to my left, she accelerated into my path and Subaru eyesight provided no warning and did not attempt to break at all before the collision occurred. I was able to slow to maybe 15 mph but disappointed eyesight did not work as intended.
NHTSA complaint #11748634 · source - Filed Apr 10, 2026MACrashEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
I experienced unintended acceleration while operating my vehicle. I was slowly pulling into a parking space at a gym when, without warning, the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly forward. I did not intentionally press the accelerator at that time. The unexpected acceleration caused the vehicle to surge ahead and collide with a light post, resulting in significant damage to the front bumper. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians or other vehicles in front of me, so no…
NHTSA complaint #11730321 · source - Filed Jan 14, 2026NJVisibility & Wipers
Safety Hazard: Subaru Sun Visor I own a 2022 Subaru Legacy, the first new car I've ever owned. The visor (to protect eyes from the sun) is too short and not wide enough. The seat is raised as high as it will go. I CAN'T position myself to protect my eyes from the Sun. On 1/8/26, I left my home at 7:45 a.m. Around the corner from my home, local road, I approached an intersection with a Traffic Light. As I approached the intersection to turn left, the Sun (dead ahead) totally…
NHTSA complaint #11710841 · source - Filed Feb 8, 2025KSOther / Unknown
I went to lunch today and came out to a crack on my windshield. I've seen several issues online about defects with the legacy windshields.
NHTSA complaint #11641535 · source - Filed Dec 2, 2024ILVisibility & Wipers
I have the touring model with defrosters under the windshield. This is the second time I have had my windshield cracked vertically in a year. Both scenarios include a cold snap to about 20 degrees. First one broke in the parking lot after warming up the car (windshield heat and defrosters on) This time was a similar case. Warmed up my car, started driving, and two min later heard a pop and saw the windshield split at the same spot,(windshield defroster element). So basically…
NHTSA complaint #11628325 · source - Filed Nov 28, 2024ARAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering
Emergency breaking deployed during traffic where no indication of collision was about to take place; vehicle safety features disabled and enabled off and on automatically while driving, this led up to sudden stop of vehicle in heavy traffic and vehicle would never restart. Subaru starlink emergency services failed to work or respond after trying for several minutes. Steering wouldn’t work to guide vehicle safely out of traffic
NHTSA complaint #11627822 · source
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Other 2022 Subaru models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology