Model year guide

2022 Subaru Outback

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2022 Subaru Outback is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2022 Subaru Outback — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2022 Subaru Outback at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints451
Combined26 mpg

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2022 Subaru Outback recalls 4

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm) NHTSA Campaign #22V473000 · 01/07/2022

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:windshield NHTSA Campaign #22V712000 · 22/09/2022

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch NHTSA Campaign #23V755000 · 09/11/2023

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.

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger NHTSA Campaign #24V227000 · 22/03/2024

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2022 Subaru Outback common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 451 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2022 Subaru Outback MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,333

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2022 Subaru Outback costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,665
Fuel only$11,665
Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2022 Subaru Outback trims & engines on record

Trims
Touring
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 182 hp

2022 Subaru Outback vehicles on record

Other Subaru Outback model years

2022 Subaru Outback — frequently asked questions

Does the 2022 Subaru Outback have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2022 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Subaru Outback?

Based on 451 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2022 Subaru Outback get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2022 Subaru Outback at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.