2022 Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls

2022 Subaru Outback recalls (4)

• Recall 24V227000Mar 22, 2024118,723 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 23V755000Nov 9, 202395,830 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 22V712000Sep 22, 202242 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 22V473000Jul 1, 202215 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2022 Subaru Outback complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026ORElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   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 park and restart it.

   NHTSA complaint #11769442 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026AZEngine

   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 warning light illuminated, power surged back and was immediately lost again with dead pedal again. The vehicle would not respond to my…

   NHTSA complaint #11768004 · source
3. Filed Sep 15, 2026NYElectrical 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 dealer's own repair orders since early ownership: •⁠ ⁠March 16, 2023 (4,985 mi): vehicle needed a jump start. Dealer tested the…

   NHTSA complaint #11764582 · source
4. Filed Aug 31, 2026TXSteeringSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 concern and is same as the recall on the 2023 model.

   NHTSA complaint #11760978 · source
5. Filed Aug 18, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 shut off/would not start, while the dashboard and screen remained powered. After about 30 minutes, it started again. A later…

   NHTSA complaint #11757581 · source
6. Filed Aug 12, 2026FLOther / Unknown

   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 dangerous situation because of the surrounding traffic. I was so concerned for my safety that I had to call 911 for assistance. After…

   NHTSA complaint #11756543 · source
7. Filed Aug 5, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 still within the powertrain warranty because Subaru said it is maintenance .

   NHTSA complaint #11754982 · source
8. Filed Jul 31, 2026MSVisibility & Wipers

   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 percentage of the repair on our part, and they replaced the windshield. The 2nd Windshield cracked after a few months, no visible impact…

   NHTSA complaint #11753956 · source

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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