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2022 Subaru Outback Extended Warranty: What 2022 Owners Need to Know

8 min read
By · Director of Operations

The 2022 Subaru Outback — third year of the sixth-generation Outback (BT), powered by a 2.5L FB25 flat-four on base trims or a turbocharged 2.4L FA24 flat-four on XT trims — factory bumper-to-bumper expired in 2025; CVT transmission and infotainment system failures are the most frequently reported early repair events — is now at typical current mileage of 32,000–52,000 miles. 2022 Subaru Outback owners are in or approaching the window where major mechanical repairs become statistically likely. Understanding the known failure patterns and warranty coverage status is critical before an expensive breakdown occurs.

Quick Answer

The 2022 Subaru Outback's primary risk is CVT Transmission Failure ($4,000–$6,500). The factory 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty expired in 2025. At current mileage, 2022 Subaru Outback owners without coverage face potentially large out-of-pocket repair bills. Athena Auto Protection covers this vehicle with a $100 deductible.

Key Takeaways

  • 1CVT Transmission Failure is the primary cost risk at $4,000–$6,500.
  • 2Infotainment / Starlink System Failure adds additional repair exposure at $600–$1,400.
  • 3Factory bumper-to-bumper warranty expired in 2025 for most 2022 Subaru Outback owners.
  • 4At 32,000–52,000 typical miles, this vehicle is in a significant repair risk window.
  • 5Athena plans cover all three major risk areas with a $100 deductible per repair visit.

2022 Subaru Outback: Model Year Overview

The 2022 Subaru Outback — third year of the sixth-generation Outback (BT), powered by a 2.5L FB25 flat-four on base trims or a turbocharged 2.4L FA24 flat-four on XT trims — factory bumper-to-bumper expired in 2025; CVT transmission and infotainment system failures are the most frequently reported early repair events. By 2026, with approximately 32,000–52,000 miles, this vehicle has moved into the window where deferred maintenance and accumulated wear generate significant repair bills — especially on the CVT and infotainment system, which are the most expensive components to address.

Known Issues on the 2022 Subaru Outback

CVT Transmission Failure

CVT Transmission Failure is the most expensive and widely reported failure on the 2022 Subaru Outback. Owners report costs of $4,000–$6,500 for this repair. By the time noticeable symptoms appear, damage is often already extensive — making proactive coverage the most cost-effective approach.

Subaru's Lineartronic CVT has drawn owner complaints and dealer technical service bulletins for shudder and hesitation as Outbacks age past 40,000–60,000 miles, and NHTSA previously opened Safety Recall Campaign 22V485000 for 2020–2021 Outback and Legacy models over CVT chain guide breakage. Subaru resolved the earlier EJ-series head gasket issue when it moved to the FB/FA engine family starting in 2011, so CVT service — not head gasket repair — is the primary driver of the largest 2022 Outback repair bills, with replacement typically running $4,000–$6,500.

Infotainment / Starlink System Failure

Infotainment / Starlink System Failure is the second most commonly reported concern for 2022 Subaru Outback owners. Repair costs typically run $600–$1,400. While less catastrophic than a CVT failure, these repairs accumulate and are not covered by standard auto insurance.

Wheel Bearing Wear

Wheel Bearing Wear is more common on Outbacks than on many competitors, and repair costs run $400–$800 per corner. It is a lower-severity but recurring cost that owners should budget for as mileage accumulates.

Factory Warranty Status for the 2022 Subaru Outback

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  • 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper — expired in 2025
  • 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain — expires in 2027

Many 2022 Subaru Outback owners still retain factory powertrain coverage through 2027 — but the bumper-to-bumper warranty has expired, leaving component-level failures uncovered. This is a critical window to secure extended warranty protection before a major failure occurs.

Typical Repair Costs for the 2022 Subaru Outback

  • CVT Transmission Failure: $4,000–$6,500
  • Infotainment / Starlink System Failure: $600–$1,400
  • Wheel Bearing Wear: $400–$800

Recommended Coverage Tier for the 2022 Subaru Outback

  • Deluxe Coverage — Covers powertrain internals, transmission, A/C, electrical, steering, and suspension. The best all-around option for 2022 Subaru Outback owners.
  • New Car Coverage — Near-complete exclusionary protection. Recommended for 2022 Subaru Outback owners with documented early-warning symptoms or high-risk usage.

Full Coverage Guide and Vehicle Warranty Page

See the full Subaru Outback Extended Warranty guide and the Subaru Outback vehicle page for complete coverage details.


Sources & Methodology

Last Updated: June 2026

  • RepairPal: 2022 Subaru Outback repair cost estimates and reliability data
  • NHTSA: 2022 Subaru Outback technical service bulletins and owner complaint records
  • Consumer Reports: 2022 Subaru Outback reliability ratings and owner survey data

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About the Article Author

Danielle Gougion

Danielle Gougion

Director of Operations

Danielle leads Athena's customer experience and fulfillment operations, translating policy language into real outcomes for drivers. With a background in consumer advocacy and contract compliance, she ensures every customer fully understands their coverage before they ever need to use it.

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