Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, a small rock struck the windshield and immediately caused a crack. The windshield was replaced by the insurance company and the dealer. The contact stated that while driving a cracking sound was heard and the windshield cracked with glass pieces falling off. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that a rock had struck the windshield causing the damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was informed that she should contact NHTSA as there was an issue with the OEM windshields. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,800.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while reversing out of his residence garage at approximately 2 MPH, he had noticed a long crack in the front windshield which had started on the passenger's side of the windshield and extended across, moving upwards and stopped underneath the rearview mirror. The contact had not noticed any strike marks on the windshield that could have caused the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The contact was directed to a third-party windshield repair shop. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the front windshield cracked without impact. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure for a second time. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and had the front windshield replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure for a third time. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and had the front windshield replaced for a third time. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked after an impact. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass, where the windshield was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the windshield was inspected, and the dealer confirmed that the windshield had cracked due to an impact. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to Safelite Auto Glass, and the windshield replacement was covered by the Insurance provider; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was re-opened. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, a rock struck and cracked the passenger's side windshield. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the windshield with a factory windshield. However, a few weeks later the contact entered the vehicle and noticed a new crack had formed on the driver's side of the windshield and had started to expand. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield to cause the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated the vehicle was parked outside his driveway for four days; however, while approaching the vehicle, he noticed that the front windshield was cracked. The contact stated that no object had struck the windshield to cause the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and photos were taken and sent to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the complaint was reviewed and the replacement might not be covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 7,000. The contact stated that both the glass shop and the Subaru dealer said that there was a microscopic chip that may have caused the crack.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield inadvertently cracked from the passenger's side and extended to the center of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield and windshield seal needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that photos were taken of the windshield and the camera also needed to be recalibrated. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she noticed an 8-inch crack in the windshield extending from the trim midway up on the passenger's side that was not present the night before. After further observation over the next 24 hours, the crack extended to 20-inches towards the driver's side, possibly in the driver's view. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, she became aware of a 16-inch crack on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack had started close to the passenger's side A-pillar, approximately 3-inches above the passenger's side windshield wiper. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the garage when she became aware of the crack. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or glass shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, a horizontal crack formed on the middle driver's side edge of the windshield. Within thirty minutes, the contact stated that the crack had expanded vertically and horizontally across the windshield to approximately 22-inches horizontally and 2.5-inches vertically. The contact stated that the crack obstructed her vision while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and neither offered any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 3,550.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield
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.
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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2022 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 280 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2022 Subaru Outback, 60% of the model year's 465 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2022 Subaru Outback window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-712 (windshield, Sep 22, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2022 Subaru Outback window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 85% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.