2022 Subaru Outback visibility and wiper problems
281 of the 464 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Outback name the wipers, glass and mirrors (NHTSA’s “Visibility/Wiper” heading — windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the wipers, glass and mirrors
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 281 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 9 · 2022: 133 · 2023: 81 · 2024: 41 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 3
Half of the 20 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the visibility and wiper problem between 4,000 and 20,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
464 complaints in all about the 2022 Subaru Outback, 3 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Visibility/Wiper” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Subaru Outback visibility and wiper problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the wipers, glass and mirrors. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Front windshield had a spontaneous crack form from some point out of sight under the bottom seal, just right of the center of the windshield. The windshield had no chips, and the car is four months old. This took place in early morning, before sunrise, with an outside temp. of 20 degrees F showing on the car thermometer
Vehicle had 2,000 miles on it and a very small rock impact chipped the windshield and the chipped spot cracked across the windshield in minutes. I have never had a windshield fail like that before with such a minor chip in it and such a small impact.
The windshield had a 12-inch crack starting at the driver's side midway up in an L shape. There was no visible rock damage and the vehicle was sitting in my garage when it cracked. Obviously, no one was hurt but the windshield had to be replaced right away with only 9000 miles on my car.
Windshield has cracked for no apparent reason (no rock impact, etc.). Crack begins at edge of passenger side windshield. Newly purchased in November
I feel like I should be creating 2 complaints but I have 4,400 miles have had it since September of 2021 it is currently November on a 22' Outback wilderness and are now looking at replacing a second windshield. Driving on normal city highways and avoiding 18 wheelers.
What is on file about the wipers, glass and mirrors
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 22V712000 HighSep 22, 2022 · 42 vehicles
- 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."
Other systems with a record on the 2022 Subaru Outback
Source: the same files- electrical problems 51 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre visibility and wiper problems common on the 2022 Subaru Outback?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 281 owner complaints naming the wipers, glass and mirrors on this model year (61% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the wipers, glass and mirrors on the 2022 Subaru Outback?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 22V712000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do visibility and wiper problems show up on the 2022 Subaru Outback?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 7,000 miles; half of them between 4,000 and 20,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Visibility/Wiper" heading cover?
Windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.