2022 Subaru Outback MPG
EPA ratings for the 2022 Subaru Outback run from 22–26 mpg in town to 26–33 on the highway, or 24–29 combined, depending on which of its 3 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 29 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive manages 24 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2021 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | Regular · 308 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 343 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback Wilderness AWD | 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 26 | 24 | Regular · 377 g CO₂/mi |
2022 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2022 Subaru Outback costs about $2,250 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (29 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (24 mpg combined) comes to about $2,720 a year, $470 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2022 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2022 Subaru Outback: 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5 L 4-cyl. It came with a CVT, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L turbo | 4 | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2022 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 465 owner complaints about the 2022 Subaru Outback.
Visibility/wiper is the most-reported area (45% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (9%) and forward collision avoidance (7%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 92 complaints a year: more than the 2021 (49 a year) and the 2023 (22 a year).
That ranks 3rd of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 465, 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 5 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 255 | 45% |
| Unknown or other | 87 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 52 | 9% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 38 | 7% |
| Visibility | 26 | 5% |
| Engine | 23 | 4% |
| Power train | 18 | 3% |
| Lane departure | 13 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2% |
| Structure | 7 | 1% |
| Air bags | 6 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 1% |
| Steering | 4 | <1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Suspension | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Vehicle is exhibiting signs of a possible design defect which causes windshields to prematurely crack, break, or shatter. …
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. …
On September 27, 2025 at approximately 1:15 PM, I was traveling southbound on Minnesota 371 just north of Nisswa, Minnesota. I was towing a pontoon boat trailer with no boat on it. …
2022 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2022 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 24V227000 from March 2024, concerns air bags.
22V712000 · September 22, 2022 · Visibility
Problem: 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."
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge.
22V473000 · July 1, 2022 · Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system
Problem: The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Risk: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V227000 | March 22, 2024 | Air bags | 2020–2022 |
| 23V755000 | November 9, 2023 | Power train | 2021–2023 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2022 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2022 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2022 Subaru Forester (29 mpg), 2022 Chevy Equinox (28 mpg) and 2022 Ford Escape (30 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 28 | 1,036 | 128 | 3 |
| 2020 | 29 | 901 | 127 | 6 |
| 2021 | 29 | 298 | 49 | 4 |
| 2022 | 29 | 465 | 92 | 4 |
| 2023 | 28 | 89 | 22 | 2 |
| 2024 | 28 | 104 | 34 | 0 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2022 models
FAQ
Is the 2022 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2022 Subaru Outback has 92 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (3rd most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 29 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2022 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are visibility/wiper (255), electrical system (52) and forward collision avoidance (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2022 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 24–29 mpg combined (22–26 city, 26–33 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Outback per year?
About $2,250 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,720 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).