2022 Subaru Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 282 of 462 complaints (61%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 296 in 2021 to 462 in 2022.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | vs. 2022 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,600 | 2,250–2,700 | 2,250–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 26–29 | 24–29 | 23–28 | 23–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–26 / 30–33 | 23–26 / 30–33 | 22–26 / 26–33 | 21–26 / 26–32 | 21–26 / 26–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 308–343 | 308–343 | 308–377 | 314–378 | 314–378 | |
| Complaints filed | 896 | 296 | 462 | 89 | 102 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2022 Subaru Outback have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2022 Subaru Outback?
Visibility & Lighting: 282 of 462 NHTSA complaints (61%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates it 24–29 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Subaru Outback?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 308 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 343 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 377 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 50 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 31 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 282 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 86 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 24V227000 · Mar 25, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Nov 13, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 22V712000 · Sep 23, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) · Campaign 22V473000 · Jul 6, 2022
Defect: 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).
Consequence: 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.