2022 Subaru Outback engine problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

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 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
4. Filed Jul 24, 202658,000 miCOTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   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 Jiffy Lube. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11752666 · source
5. Filed Jun 26, 2026MDElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On May 19th 2026 around noon time, while we (me and my wife passenger) were driving my 2022 Subaru Outback Touring (2.5L, non-turbo) in active congested traffic on our way to airport, the engine shut off as expected by the Auto Start-Stop system when I came to a stop. When I released the brake pedal to proceed, the engine failed to automatically restart. The vehicle became immobilized in a live traffic lane, creating a serious safety hazard with traffic backed up behind me…

   NHTSA complaint #11746625 · source
6. Filed May 20, 2026ALEngineOther / Unknown

   After highway driving for 50 miles, stopped for a red light. Engine died but all lights stayed on. Sat 5 minutes with dead engine and when I tried again, the car started. Drove 1 mile to next light and it happened again. Went to Auto Zone (it was a Sunday and dealerships were closed) and they tested the battery which was 100%. Two days later, drove car for 10 minutes then parked for errand; 15 minutes later, car wouldn't start. Let it sit for a minute and it started right…

   NHTSA complaint #11739030 · source
7. Filed Apr 29, 202653,400 miMIEngine

   The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that there was an oil leak coming from the lower oil pan. There was oil dripping onto the exhaust system, creating a potential fire hazard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,400.

   NHTSA complaint #11734535 · source
8. Filed Jan 6, 2026KSEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   - Engine failure. Yes. - At a stop light the auto-restart function failed, following this event the vehicle began making a knocking noise, we towed it to the dealership for evaluation and their diagnosis was that it needed a new engine. - Dealership stated they too heard the knocking noise in the vehicle and it is engine damage due to low oil. However, the dipstick read fine when we took it into the dealership and we did not have a low oil warning. - Inspection completed by…

   NHTSA complaint #11709008 · source
9. Filed Oct 26, 2025NJFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Driving on the highway, engine started making a rattling noise, then began to labor and eventually stopped being able to accelerate at all. Oil pressure warning light came on around the time the acceleration gave out altogether. We pulled over to the side of the highway and got out of the car, seeing steam/white smoke coming out of the front of the car. The smoke increased and after several minutes, the front of the car caught on fire.

   NHTSA complaint #11695698 · source
10. Filed Sep 15, 2025TXEngineSeats & Seat Belts

    Lower oil pan leaks oil. Started leaking oil right after warranty expired. This is a known issue for Subaru cars with the 2.4 turbo engine. Seats ripped right after warranty expired.

    NHTSA complaint #11687315 · source
11. Filed Aug 25, 2025TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    We had had no issues at all with our 2022 Subaru Outback until June 2025. Mileage at the time of the incident was approximately 52,000. We were driving one evening in June and all of a sudden the engine stopped and we could not drive it. It only produced a knocking sound when we attempted to turn the engine on. We had the car towed to the dealership and after taking the engine apart, they reported that an intake valve broke, flew and split one of the pistons causing the…

    NHTSA complaint #11682830 · source
12. Filed May 19, 2025NYEngine

    While stopped at a yield sign waiting for traffic to clear so I may proceed with my left turn, I stepped on the accelerator pedal to make my left turn; however, my car did not go because the engine had turned off due to the auto stop feature. Once the engine restarted, I was no longer clear about proceeding with my left turn and had to apply the brakes very hard immediately to stop my vehicle. The auto engine stop is a dangerous feature that should not automatically be…

    NHTSA complaint #11661946 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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