VinCanary

Reliability report · 2022 Subaru Outback · Updated July 2026

A mature sixth-gen year with a 2022-only engine-harness stall recall — verify that one and the windshield-bonding campaign.

By 2022 the Outback is a mature version of the sixth generation, and the complaint count (453) reflects that. The notable recall is 2022-only: a damaged engine wiring harness can create a loose connection to the engine control unit and cause an engine stall (22V473) — dealers replace the harness and control unit free. There's also a windshield-bonding recall (22V712) where the wrong clearcoat left some windshields insufficiently bonded, with a vehicle-exchange or repurchase remedy.

The rest are the carried-over inhibitor-switch (23V755) and occupant-detection airbag (24V227) campaigns, and the thermal control valve keeps its 15-year/150,000-mile extension. Nothing here is an out-of-warranty money pit — the job is to confirm the four recalls by VIN, especially the engine-harness one.

Evidence: 453 NHTSA complaints · 4 recall campaigns · 2 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 453 federal complaints and four recalls on a settled sixth-generation car. The one to watch is a 2022-only engine-wiring-harness recall that can cause an engine stall; the rest are a windshield-bonding campaign, the inhibitor switch, and the occupant-detection airbag — all free. The thermal-control-valve coverage carries over.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Outback engine guide.

453

Federal complaints

4

Recalls

$0

Harness + ECU replacement (recall)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Engine wiring-harness stall recall (2022-only) — free, verify it

major

The recall specific to the 2022 Outback: the engine wiring harness may have been damaged, creating a loose electrical connection to the ECU (engine control unit) that can cause the engine to stall — a crash risk. Under 22V473 (Subaru code WRC-22), dealers replace the engine wiring harness and the control unit, free. Because a stall recall is the kind of thing you want closed before you drive off, confirm this one shows completed by VIN and ask whether the car ever exhibited unexplained stalling.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Harness + ECU replacement (recall)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 Subaru Outback (true count 453) · NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (engine harness, windshield bonding/extension, recall documents)

Windshield-bonding recall and the fragile acoustic glassmoderate

Two windshield threads meet on the 2022. The recall (22V712) covers cars where the wrong paint clearcoat left the windshield insufficiently bonded — a safety-standard failure — with a vehicle-exchange or repurchase remedy, free. Separately, the sixth-gen acoustic windshield is prone to cracking from minor impacts or temperature, $500–$1,100 to replace with EyeSight (camera driver-assist) recalibration; Subaru extended windshield coverage for 2020–2022 and there was a class-action settlement. Confirm the bonding recall is closed and check the glass for cracks and any extension eligibility.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (engine harness, windshield bonding/extension, recall documents) · Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (thermal control valve, windshield)

$0

Bonding recall (exchange/repurchase)

$0

Windshield under extension / settlement

$500–$1,100

Windshield out of coverage (+EyeSight recal)

Carried-over recalls: inhibitor switch and occupant-detection airbagmoderate

Two campaigns shared with the surrounding years. The inhibitor-switch recall (23V755) covers an insufficient weld that can let water in and disable the reverse lights and rearview camera — a free switch replacement. The occupant-detection-system recall (24V227) covers a sensor that can crack and short, potentially stopping the front-passenger airbag deploying — free sensor replacement. Confirm both by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (engine harness, windshield bonding/extension, recall documents)

$0

All recall work

Thermal control valve — covered carryoverminor

The thermal control valve (a coolant-flow valve) that a Subaru specialist flags as an expensive sixth-gen repair still applies to 2022, but keeps its 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension. If the coolant system throws a code, this valve is a first suspect — confirm coverage eligibility by VIN before paying.

Sources: Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (thermal control valve, windshield)

$0

Under 15 yr / 150k warranty extension

The incorrect paint clearcoat may cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
2 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Subaru dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 22V473Engine wiring harness may be damaged, causing a loose connection to the engine control unit and an engine stall (2022 Outback). Harness + ECU replaced free. Subaru code WRC-22.open
  2. 22V712Incorrect paint clearcoat may leave the windshield insufficiently bonded; FMVSS 212 (2022 Impreza/Outback). Vehicle exchange or repurchase free. Subaru code WRH-22.open
  3. 23V755Insufficient weld may let water into the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail, stopping reverse lights and the rearview image (2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021–2023 Legacy/Outback). Switch replaced free. Subaru code WRQ-23.open
  4. 24V227Occupant Detection System sensor capacitor may crack and short, potentially preventing front-passenger airbag deployment (2020–2022 Outback/Legacy). Sensors replaced free. Subaru code WRA-24.open

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