2022 Subaru Outback: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2022 Subaru Outback at 24–29 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 465 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
24–29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2022 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2022 Subaru Outback, newest first.
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification: Front passenger
NHTSA 24V227000Reported Mar 22, 2024
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRA-24)
Units affected
118,723 (estimate)
Problem
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
NHTSA 23V755000Reported Nov 9, 2023
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRQ-23)
Units affected
95,830 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRH-22)
Units affected
42 (estimate)
Problem
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) and 1 more component
NHTSA 22V473000Reported Jul 1, 2022
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRC-22)
Components
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Engine control module (ecu/ecm); Electrical system: Wiring
Units affected
15 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2022 Subaru Outback fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2022 Subaru Outback crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2022 Subaru Outback NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2022 Subaru Outback SW AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
18.5%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2022 Subaru Outback owner complaints
Owners have filed 465 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Outback, most recently on Oct 6, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2022 Subaru Outback complaints
