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EnginePart report

2022 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

Complaints
23about this part
Share
5%of 465 total for the year
Median mileage
20,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine of the 2022 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 465 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My Subaru often stalls when the start-stop function is happening such as when I stop at a traffic light. When I lift my foot off the break, the engine tries to restart, but stalls out. It happens at almost every stop. I had my battery tested and it is fine. This week, the car actually completely stalled out in heavy traffic and I had to put it in park and restart it.”

NHTSA complaint #11769442, filed 2026-10

“This has happened many times since my vehicle ownership in May. Today for example I am on the highway cruising along (cruise control set) and alarms start going off, the vehicle lurches as it self-disables safety features one by one - Cruise control shuts off automatically - check engine light on, reverse auto breaking disabled, lane assist disabled, Collision avoidance disabled, entire eyesight system disabled. …”

NHTSA complaint #11507558, filed 2023-02

“Was just driving when I noticed my car was sounding louder than usual. Then when I stared it after running some errands it sounds like a bad engine nock. So I took it in for an oil change and they told me it was a cracked exhaust manifold. Also told me it fine to drive and shouldn’t cause further problems. Then I started to smell heavy exhaust smells inside the cab of the car. Now I have to drive it with windows down or risk passing out or dying”

NHTSA complaint #11611002, filed 2024-08

“While stopped at a yield sign waiting for traffic to clear so I may proceed with my left turn, I stepped on the accelerator pedal to make my left turn; however, my car did not go because the engine had turned off due to the auto stop feature. Once the engine restarted, I was no longer clear about proceeding with my left turn and had to apply the brakes very hard immediately to stop my vehicle. The auto engine stop is a dangerous feature that should not automatically be applied when starting the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11661946, filed 2025-05

“The relatively new car (2022) stalls out randomly at intersections and red lights. This is a major safety issue as we have had the car totally shut down in the middle of 2 busy intersections. We had to dial 911 and have the police come to assist. We brought the car to the dealer and they did not find a problem but it continued to happen. There were no warning lights or messages - stalling happened randomly. May be related to the gas saver engine stop feature when at a complete stop.”

NHTSA complaint #11549526, filed 2023-10

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202556%
202477%
202311%
2022235%
2021217%
2020495%
2019394%
2018375%
2017445%
2016538%
2015479%
20143517%
20136723%
20125017%
20118513%
20104412%
20091514%
2008146%
20071512%
20064316%
2005104%
200422%
200355%
200254%
200031%

Other parts of the 2022 Subaru Outback

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
280 complaints
Other or unknown
87 complaints
Electrical system
52 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Lane departure
11 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2022 Subaru Outback

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology