2022 Subaru Outback: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
462 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Outback's record is quiet through the fourth and fifth generations apart from the FB25 engine's oil-consumption complaints on 2013–2014 cars, which Subaru settled with a class action. The sixth generation launched for 2020 on a new platform with a new infotainment system and a turbocharged 2.4-litre option, and the 2019–2020 years carry the highest counts in the Outback's history: the Starlink touchscreen freezing and rebooting, the battery draining, the windscreen cracking. Read the full note on the model page. 2022 specifically: 462 complaints on record, score 56/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2022 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 462 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 115.5
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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 associated damage will be covered under the extended warranty. I have also reached out to Subaru of America as this is a safety concern and is same as the recall on the 2023 model.
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 until I found out subaru had a fix for the transmission software. I recently had to pay to have this done even though my car was still within the powertrain warranty because Subaru said it is mainten…
Vehicle is exhibiting signs of a possible design defect which causes windshields to prematurely crack, break, or shatter. My vehicle is a 22 Subaru Outback that when bought new, in the first week of ownership developed a windshield crack that the dealer ship refused to replace under warranty. We worked a deal out and were responsible for a percentage of the repair on our part, and they replaced the windshield. The 2…
Recalls: 4 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 22V473000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. |
| 23V755000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. |
| 24V227000 | Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. |
| 22V712000 | Visibility:Windshield | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Visibility/Wiper255 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other86 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System50 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Visibility26 complaints · typical job: Glass, wiper or defogger repair (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Forward Collision Avoidance23 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Engine21 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
Other Subaru Outback years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Visibility/Wiper (255 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2022 Subaru Outback a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 56/100, computed from 462 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2022 Subaru Outback's most common problem?
255 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2022 Subaru Outback sit in the Visibility/Wiper group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement: about 2.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $490–$1,200 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2022 Subaru Outback cost to run per year?
About $5,524 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,622 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2022 Subaru Outback have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2022 Subaru Outback, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/07/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2022 Subaru Outback really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 462 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 462 NHTSA complaints on record (115.5/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (64.2/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems