Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Outback, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility/wiper255
- Unknown or other87
- Electrical system52
- Visibility26
- Engine23
- Forward collision avoidance23
- Power train18
- Lane departure11
- Service brakes10
- Structure7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 21 2022 Outback vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2022 Subaru Outback failed the safety check 0.61% of the time — 28% less often than the average 2022 passenger car (0.85%). Median odometer at inspection: 19,247 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2022
4,765 new Subaru Outback cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2022; the largest markets were Sweden (1,701), Germany (886), Estonia (314).
- Average mass
- 1,729 kg
- Average CO₂
- 193 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 124 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 66% · E85 ethanol 34%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
149 Subaru Outback cars first registered in Europe in 2022 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 9.0 l/100 km on the road against 8.5 in the WLTP test (+6%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 149 | 9.0 | 8.5 | +6% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
50 first registered in 2022 are on Dutch roads; 64% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €67,095.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde14
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht6
- Band onvoldoende profiel4
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld2
- Drager/bevestigingsmiddel van remvoering raakt trommel/schij1
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
594 cars built in 2022 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
158 of these cars first registered in 2022 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 76,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,046 2022 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 98% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ | 18.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.2–10.0 L/100 km (about 24–29 mpg US), CO₂ 192–235 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.0 | 7.1 | 8.2 |
| Outback AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.1 | 7.9 | 9.1 |
| Outback Wilderness AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.9 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2022 Subaru Outback.
| 2024546 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2024190 22 Mar 2024 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, an electrical component in the sensors for the occupant detection system (ODS) may not have been manufactured properly and could c… |
| 2023607 9 Nov 2023 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail. If this happens, the backup lamps may not turn on and the rearview ca… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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."
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).
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2022 Subaru Outback: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010932 | "This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms described below: SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. NOTE: Both of these symptoms are not related with a fault code." |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11010916 | This bulletin announces a design change made to the front brake pads developed to reduce any brake pulsation and/or vibration felt during brake operation. |
| 11010914 | This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. |
| 11010910 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11010905 | This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009699 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address symptoms which a jerk or judder sensation can be felt from the powertrain during braking with air conditioning on, or a shudder felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11009698 | This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when DTC P2715 (Pressure Control Solenoid D Stuck On) is detected by the Transmission Control Module (TCM). |
| 11009696 | This Service Information Bulletin has been prepared to inform retailer employees and Technicians of the impact of the Massachusetts Data Law regarding Right to Repair. |
| 11009694 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11009692 | This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11009683 | This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4 Denso CP1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008267 | This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter. |
| 11008259 | This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement. |
| 11008258 | This bulletin announces the availability of new oxygen sensors developed to address Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) detected by the Engine Control Module. |
| 11006940 | This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low Bank 1). |
| 11006935 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure for 2025MY vehicles. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)