general problems of the 2022 Subaru Outback

Recently, the 2022 Outback my mom drives has been having some strange electrical issues. About a year-or-so ago the battery in her Outback died. Not unusual in arizona. I replaced it with an upgraded agm (interstate) version—same group, same cranking power. No issues. Recently, after an oil change at the dealer, she called back to report that a “check engine” light had come on. She was told that she probably had not put the gas cap on properly. Gas cap was on properly; light went off the next day. A few days later the auto stop/start (ass) feature started acting up (not functioning). A few days later the ass turned the engine off and did not restart automatically—in the middle of heavy traffic during rush hour. The ass light came on. The engine started manually, and we got it home. Battery was dead the next morning. I charged it up and took the car to the local mechanic for a quick assessment. The battery was fine, charging, but the car threw a code: p0871 transmission fluid pressure sensor switch. This mechanic told us that there was a technical service bulletin through Subaru that addressed this issue but was also aware that it could be caused by the ass killing the battery or other electronic modules which fail to enter sleep mode—which would also cause random lights to come on. An appointment was made to take the car into peoria Subaru, thinking it would be something they could diagnose easily. It had previously been in for the routine oil change with the inspection. When we dropped the car off, I provided the advisor the code and a associated TSB for the code. We got the car back that day and were told the following: the tech found that the car currently has a “aftermarket” agm battery. Subarus require a “enhanced flooded battery” which would explain multiple codes found for loss of communications and parasitic battery drain--for systems that don't go to "sleep" when the car is not running.

I have a meticulously maintained 2022 Subaru Outback ltd that has now had 3 out of 4 oem installed wheel bearings replaced due to failure with less and/or near to 40,000 miles on the vehicle. The power train has a warranty until 2027, however, I felt that this is a recall worthy event and asked Subaru of America to either extend the powertrain warranty or replace the one remaining, original bearing. Case # 260430-1901212 they will not replace it after many email exchanges and escalations. Having had a older car with a bearing seizing and tearing off from the vehicle into oncoming traffic, I feel this warrants notification.

- engine failure. Yes. - at a stop light the auto-restart function failed, following this event the vehicle began making a knocking noise, we towed it to the dealership for evaluation and their diagnosis was that it needed a new engine. - dealership stated they too heard the knocking noise in the vehicle and it is engine damage due to low oil. However, the dipstick read fine when we took it into the dealership and we did not have a low oil warning. - inspection completed by dealership - received no warning lights nor messages regarding symptoms of the problem prior to failure. Initial event happened on 12/26 when at a stop light following the auto-off during braking function the car did not restart automatically. Car was turned off, and restarted. Following that event the vehicle had a knocking noise that increased in volume with driving. Did not drive the car after arriving to our destination. Towed the car to the dealership where we were told it needed a new engine.

We had had no issues at all with our 2022 Subaru Outback until June 2025. Mileage at the time of the incident was approximately 52,000. We were driving one evening in June and all of a sudden the engine stopped and we could not drive it. It only produced a knocking sound when we attempted to turn the engine on. We had the car towed to the dealership and after taking the engine apart, they reported that an intake valve broke, flew and split one of the pistons causing the motor to seize up. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the engine failure. Regular oil changes had been performed on the car. This issue came completely out of left field as we had previously had no engine issues.

I noticed a metal sound when I accelerated then the car jerked forward a few times. Shortly afterwards, ~5 min, the dashboard lights came on:automatic transmission oil temperature, blind-spot detection, check engine, eyesight system, reverse auto braking and vehicle dynamic control. I was able to drive slowly back home but not sure what is going on with this 3 year old car with 47,000 miles on it.

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.

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 23v755000 (power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle was jerking while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined driveway, the vehicle erroneously rolled backwards. The failure occurred on several occasions and the parking brake was not activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on two separate occasions, but no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 13,927.

I purchased a 2022 Subaru Outback wilderness in August 2021. I've made several complaints to my dealership about issues of the vehicle jerking during deaccelartion, holding high rpm during acceleration, or rough acceleration. Everytime, I've taken the vehicle to the dealership to have to investigate the issue, I've been told the same response, "the technician was unable to replicate the issue. " I know there is somethings wrong with my transmission, I've read several other wilderness owners having the same issue, and their transmissions were replaced at 9,500 miles or less. My vehicle is currently at 15,000 miles, I've maintained it through the dealership in reference to servicing. I've owned a vehicle that previous had a similar issue, and the issue ended up being an issue with the transmission control unit and pressure mechanism inside. The transmission had to be rebuilt because of this issue. I would not recommend owning a 2022 Outback wilderness to anyone.

Pulled into my driveway, put the car in park, ran in the house for 5 seconds, car was rolling down the driveway when I came back to it. Got back in the car to leave (also checked to see that the gear shifter was in park which it was). I have several videos of this incident happening via cameras attached to my house. In the video you can see my wife (who is legally blind) jump out of the car because she didn't know what else to do.

The transmission in this new vehicle began making a high-pitch whining noise shortly after I bought it. After 3500 miles, I took it to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the car. After 10 days of troubleshooting, they determined it requires a transmission replacement. There are multiple other owners that have experienced the same issue (some who have been told by their dealers that it is ‘just a noise’), info available via Subaru forum. While I did not experience a transmission failure while driving — if I had, this could be a serious safety issue, and there appears to be no acknowledgement by Subaru that their Outback vehicle / transmissions may have a significant manufacturing defect. I am still in the process of determining what the repair / replacement plan is with the dealer and Subaru of America.

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The contact would be forced to place the vehicle into neutral to stop the acceleration. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and recently became more frequent. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle when the vehicle would independently accelerate. The contact called the dealer and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer kept the vehicle for almost two weeks and was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 700. The VIN was not available.

The 2022 Subaru Outback has a "feature" called auto start stop. This is intended as a fuel saving feature. In the car's setup menu, you have the choice to turn this feature off. However, this feature must be turned off each and every time you start the car. The change is not held in memory. This fact was confirmed by a Subaru customer service representative in a call on the morning of 9/7/2021. This auto start/stop feature works just like a gasoline powered golf cart. Take your foot off the gas and the engine dies. Press the accelerator and the engine restarts. However, there is not oncoming traffic on a golf course. If the wheels are canted to the left or right, a notable amount of force is experienced in the steering wheel. Subaru should be forced immediately to make a software change to allow this feature to be disabled permanently. I also suspect that in extreme cold or as these vehicles age, this "feature" will become an extreme safety hazard.