NHTSA has received 465 owner complaints about the 2022 Subaru Outback, or 97.1 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 2.41, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #84 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 167% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 85% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-07-14 and 2026-10-06. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
465Complaints
97.1Complaints per year on the road
2.41Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
3.0%Share involving a crash or fire
37Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2021) drew 51.3 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2023) drew 23.5 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2022 model collected 328 complaints, 344% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (61.1% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (12.9%) and Electrical (8.6%). Body & structure complaints are 6.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 14 reports (3.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 13 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (48% of incidents). In the last 12 months 37 new complaints were filed, versus 37 in the 12 months before — virtually unchanged.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles2.41
vs. other Subaru models2.67
vs. other 2022 models2.47
vs. other Midsize SUVs1.85
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (328)4.44
While day driving on a clearly marked interstate in slightly hazy weather from fires, the car suddenly, unprompted, steered to the left without any warning or any indicators going off.
Steering · 2026-07-19 · ODI 11751418
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.
Body & structure · 2025-11-15 · ODI 11699581
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.
Engine · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769442
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.
Engine · 2026-09-30 · ODI 11768004
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.
Electrical · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764582
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 24V227000 · 2024-03-22
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Campaign 23V755000 · 2023-11-09
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.
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) Campaign 22V473000 · 2022-07-01
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).
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.
