Reliable Auto DB

2022 Subaru Outback reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 463 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Outback over 5 years — 132 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outback years here — over the median of the other years, which is 56. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor, Park/neutral start switch, and Windshield.

2012 Subaru Outback
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

463

Per year

132

Recalls

4

Years on the road

5

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (255 of 463), then Electrical system (51) and Visibility (26). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 Outback has 296 complaints, 75 per year, and the 2023 has 89 complaints, 28 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2022 Subaru Outback. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Front passenger seat weight sensor 2024-03-22 · NHTSA campaign 24V227000
Summary 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.
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 powertrain, automatic transmission, park/neutral start switch 2023-11-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V755000
Summary 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.
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 visibility, windshield 2022-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 22V712000
Summary 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."
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 engine and cooling, engine, engine control module 2022-07-01 · NHTSA campaign 22V473000
Summary 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).
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.

Complaints by component (463 total)

Visibility and wipers
255
Electrical system
51
Visibility
26
Forward collision avoidance
23
Engine
21
Powertrain
18
Lane departure
11
Service brakes
10
Structure
7
Air bags
6
Fuel and propulsion system
6
Speed control
4
Steering
4
Exterior lighting
3
Seat belts
3
Suspension
3
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Parking brake
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Show 14 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

4

Injury reports

5

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

19202118420221252023692024352025312026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-09-15
  • "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…"
    Steering, Suspension, Powertrain · filed 2026-08-31
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-18
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-12
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-05

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2022 Subaru Outback SW AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Outback all-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Outback all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Outback Wilderness all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 22 26 24 MPG $2700

Specs and fitment

6th generation (BT), 2020–present
Body styles Wagon
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.4L turbo and 2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 5.1 qt capacity
Tire size 225/65R17 to 225/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-766 covers certain 2020 Legacy and Outback models with mid- or high-grade multimedia navigation when an August 2020 over-the-air update can time out and corrupt data, intermittently shutting off the rearview display and failing FMVSS 111. Subaru's remedy is software reprogramming and, if needed, replacement of the cockpit control module (recall WRH-20). Recall 22V-485 covers certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles: Transmission Control Unit programming may engage the clutch before the drive chain is fully clamped, risking chain slip or break and loss of drive; dealers reprogram the TCU and replace the transmission if damage is found. Recall 24V-227 covers certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles: an Occupant Detection System sensor capacitor may short and prevent passenger air bag deployment; dealers replace the ODS sensors. Legacy and Outback share these campaign unit totals.

Compare

Previous year 2021 Subaru Outback Next year 2023 Subaru Outback See every Subaru Outback model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners have filed 463 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Outback over 5 years — 132 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outback years here — over the median of the other years, which is 56. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Front passenger seat weight sensor, Park/neutral start switch, and Windshield.

What are common problems with a 2022 Subaru Outback?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (255 of 463), then Electrical system (51) and Visibility (26). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Is the 2022 Subaru Outback more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 Outback has 296 complaints, 75 per year, and the 2023 has 89 complaints, 28 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

Has the 2022 Subaru Outback been recalled?

The 2022 Subaru Outback has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Subaru Outback?

Owners have filed 463 complaints about the 2022 Subaru Outback with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Subaru Outback get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 Subaru Outback is 26.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Outback use?

US manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic for recent FB and turbo engines, with temporary 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

What does NHTSA recall 19V-008 cover on the Subaru Outback?

Recall 19V-008 covers certain 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles (among other Subaru models) sold or ever registered in listed Zone B states: the front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.

What generation is the 2013 Subaru Outback?

4th generation (BR) (2012-2014).