2022 Subaru Outback: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2022 Subaru Outback? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 441 complaints, with Visibility/Wiper as the top reported area.
2022 Subaru Outback Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2022 Subaru Outback trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2022 Subaru Outback Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2022 Subaru Outback has 441 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility/Wiper. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Outback
- Model year
- 2022
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 441
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Visibility/Wiper
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 26
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 23 / 30
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2022 Subaru Outback Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Visibility/Wiper
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Visibility/Wiper, Uncategorized Issues, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2022 Subaru Outback?
The 2022 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2022 Subaru Outback
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the windshield wiper system for proper operation and any signs of malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially electrical and visibility systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on wiper and electrical systems.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the windshield wiper system for proper operation and any signs of malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially electrical and visibility systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on wiper and electrical systems.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2022 Subaru Outback, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2022 Subaru Outback are heavily concentrated in visibility and wiper systems, with over half of all reports related to these components. Electrical faults and forward collision avoidance issues also appear as recurring themes, though the overall confidence in this data is low due to the limited sample size of one model year.
- Visibility/Wiper complaints account for the majority of all reports.
- Electrical faults and forward collision avoidance issues are the next most common complaint categories.
- Crash-related complaints are relatively few, at 10 out of 441 total complaints.
- Visibility/Wiper system failures or malfunctions.
- Electrical system faults.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking issues.
All 2022 Subaru Outback Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Subaru Outback. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 252 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 82 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 41 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Visibility | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 23 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 17 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2022 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle was jerking while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were …
The component that failed is the cowl panel weather stripping/seal located at the base of the windshield on my 2022 Subaru Outback. The material is visibly peeling and deteriorating despite the vehicle having only approximately 23,000 miles. The defective component is still insta…
I am reporting a critical safety failure involving an improperly installed (wrong year) passenger-side airbag in my 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, which was negligently missed for nearly two years by multiple Subaru service departments. This is a pervasive life-safety defect and…
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated after starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment system inadvertently reset or went blank, causing the Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) System to become inoperable. The RAB System warning li…
I have multiple malfunction codes on my car. without any incident in the car I have 4 separate codes of airbag ECU malfunction (3) and airbag ECU power supply voltage. B1149 Airbag ECU Power Supply Voltage History B1195 Airbag ECU Malfunction Current B1196 Airbag ECU Malfunctio…
Hood became unlatched while driving. Significant vehicle damage to hood, windshield and roof. No other vehicles involved or bodily injuries.
the screen will just not come on or cut out and not turn on after a call or text comes in. Sometimes it says no AUX detected even though a phone is plugged in. It will randomly stop maps and randomly connect to my maps. the sound will go from being very good to being just bad.
I am writing to report what I believe is a significant ergonomic issue with my vehicle. Every time I drive the car—even for short trips—I experience pain on the right side and toward the back of my knee. I have owned the vehicle for several weeks and have made numerous adjustmen…
- 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 kn…
Car infortainment system producing annoying and distracting advertisements while driving, overriding the the entire infotainment system and requiring human intervention that distracted me and almost caused an accident. No driver should have to deal with forced fucking ads while o…
I experienced two serious electrical failures within a few days that caused the vehicle to stall without warning. At Nov 29, 2025, after parking for about 20 minutes, the car would not start. Symptoms included: • Very weak clicking from the starter • Dashboard flickering and di…
I opened the trunk door went to retrieve my groceries and the trunk door came down with extreme force on the top of my head without warning hitting me in the head causing a concussion. The window sensors on the driver and passenger doors also were acting off prior. Not every ti…
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 o…
On September 27, 2025 at approximately 1:15 PM, I was traveling southbound on Minnesota 371 just north of Nisswa, Minnesota. I was towing a pontoon boat trailer with no boat on it. I was traveling in the right lane as I approached the County 29 / Wilderness Road intersection. …
Windshield spontaneously cracked while parked in driveway. Have nest cam footage of crack.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 19,821, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 79…
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.
A crack on my windshield has appeared overnight out of nowhere, with no indication of impact or external damage. The car was parked in a private driveway facing the house, not the road. It started from the bottom edge of the windshield under the cowling and has made its way to th…
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…
I have an 2022 Outback that has 29000 miles and have had 2 windshield replacements. And now on my third, from rock chips. I bought the extended warranty and they are denying my claim. I can’t imagine what the lifetime costs will be for this vehicle. They have offered an extended …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2022 Subaru Outback.
2022 Subaru Outback Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2022 Subaru Outback. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2022 Subaru Outback Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2022 Subaru Outback reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 441 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2022 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Subaru Outback?▾
#1: Visibility/Wiper (252 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (82 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (41 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2022 Subaru Outback?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2022 Subaru Outback?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2022 Subaru Outback, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 441 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2022 Subaru Outback have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2022 Subaru Outback. A major recall area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM). 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2022 Subaru Outback?▾
The 2022 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Visibility/Wiper during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2022 Subaru Outback based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.