2022 Subaru Outback: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
4 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 60% about visibility & wipers.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2022 Subaru Outback
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2022 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2022 Subaru Outback. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Airbags
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Details 24V227000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Transmission & drivetrain
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 23V755000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Engine & cooling
A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 22V473000
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).
Fix: 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.
- Visibility & wipers
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 22V712000
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."
Fix: 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.
2022 Subaru Outback safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Glass: (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed models and model years from three (3) years / 36,000 miles to eight (8) years / 100,000 miles (whichever comes first).
- Warranty extension: This is an update for owner notification for Safety recall WRA-24 to replace the ODS sensor replacement.
- Warranty extension: This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2022 Subaru Outback safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
463 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
What a 2022 Subaru Outback is worth
Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.
| Mileage | Trade-in (rough) |
|---|---|
| 120,000 mi | $20,471 |
| 160,000 mi | $20,000 |
From new to now
What each Subaru Outback model year trades in for today at typical mileage.
Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line.
Other Subaru Outback years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator