2022 Subaru Outback: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 455 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 4 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

455
Complaints
4
Recalls
10
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
6
Injuries
24.6
Severity index

Severity index 24.6 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

Among the 96 2022 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2022 Subaru Outback ranks 80 of 96 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 17% of its model-year peers. See the full 2022 ranking.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
VISIBILITY/WIPER25455.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8518.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4710.3%
VISIBILITY265.7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE235.1%
ENGINE194.2%
POWER TRAIN163.5%
LANE DEPARTURE112.4%

The single most-reported system is VISIBILITY/WIPER, cited in 254 of 455 complaints (55.8%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2021: 192022: 1842023: 1252024: 692025: 352026: 23212223242526
YearComplaints
202119
2022184
2023125
202469
202535
2026 (year to date)23
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V47300001/07/2022ENGINE 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).
22V71200022/09/2022VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDSubaru 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
23V75500009/11/2023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCHSubaru 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.
24V22700022/03/2024AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGERSubaru 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.
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.