Subaru Solterra Complaints

75 consumer complaints on file.

#11680030August 12, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Component/System that failed: Battery range performance and charging system on 2025 Subaru Solterra. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle loses significant range after charging, creating a real risk of being stranded in traffic, on the freeway, or in remote locations — even during short in-town trips. This could leave me without power in unsafe conditions. Problem details: On one occasion, after charging for 48 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast charger, I gained only 53 miles of range, then lost 17 of those miles in just 2 miles of driving. On other occasions, I have lost 21 miles in 1 mile of driving and 27 miles in 6 miles. No climate control was in use during some of these tests. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem occurs repeatedly and has been documented with photographic evidence. Gresham Subaru has claimed this is “normal,” but it is not consistent with expected EV performance. Inspection history: The vehicle has been looked at by Gresham Subaru but no thorough diagnostic or battery inspection has been completed. Subaru of America is aware of the issue. Warning signs: No warning lamps, error messages, or other dashboard indicators appear before or during the loss of range. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued despite software updates.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680000August 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding my 2024 Subaru Solterra. On 09 Aug 2025, while driving, my vehicle displayed “EV System Malfunction” and “Drive Start Control Malfunction” alerts simultaneously. Although the vehicle was still drivable, this combination of warnings is alarming, as it suggests a possible high-voltage system fault or drive control failure. The AC is not working too. I am deeply concerned for the following reasons: 1. Safety Risk: These faults could lead to sudden loss of power or prevent the vehicle from restarting after a stop, potentially leaving me stranded in unsafe conditions. 2. Loss of Confidence: This is an unacceptable failure in a nearly new vehicle. I have lost trust in its reliability and safety. 3. Potential Widespread Issue: Other Solterra owners have reported similar warnings online, suggesting this may be a systemic defect requiring urgent investigation. I expect a formal case number for this complaint and a written response outlining Subaru’s plan to resolve this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671498July 7, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2 Items: 1st is the facial recognition camera, which causes the vehicle to stop if it can't see the driver. The recognition camera has often indicated an inability to see my face or my wife's face when she has been driving. On June 30th when returning home from work I had the driver's window open with bright sunlight, which fell fully on the camera, which totally failed to see my face, stopping the vehicle in traffic suddenly. (Fortunately, it was near a traffic light which had just turned red, so traffic had already slowed down.) I then noticed, in the bright light on the camera surface a streak of multiple fine scratches across the whole face of the camera screen. I shut the window, which reduced the light hitting the camera, and it recognized me again, allowing me to drive again. Other than in bright light, the scratches are hardly apparent. Now that I know they are there, I can see a very subtle shade difference where they are. 2nd Item: The forward collision warning occasionally brakes, showing a vehicle ahead when there is no vehicle ahead, and conversely, when set to speed control assist, it sometimes does not see a vehicle ahead or show one on the screen when there is one, sometimes speeding up to within a dangerous closeness of the vehicle ahead. It seems to be happening at a frequency of about 2 to 3 times every 100 miles, slightly more often with the braking and showing a car image on the screen when there is no vehicle ahead.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659610May 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I am writing to express my concern regarding a series of significant issues I’ve experienced with my vehicle, all occurring within a span of less than six months and well within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. 1.Battery Failure in Cold Weather: After the first exposure to below-freezing temperatures, the vehicle would not start on multiple occasions. This ultimately led to a full battery replacement. 2.Suspension and Rear Motor Issue: I recently brought the vehicle in due to an increasingly poor ride quality and excessive road impact. The inspection revealed a suspension issue and, more seriously, a failing rear motor that now requires replacement. 3.Electrical Malfunction – Blinker Failure: The vehicle is currently in the shop due to the failure of the left turn signal, which was traced to erosion in the casing housing the electrical wiring. These repeated failures are deeply concerning, particularly for a relatively new vehicle. I am requesting a thorough review of the situation and a clear resolution path, as this level of reliability is unacceptable for a vehicle still under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655928April 21, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Sudden unintended acceleration while maneuvering to park. The acceleration was instantaneous and forceful, that in less than 20 feet of rapid movement the car forced itself over some utility poles laying behind the intended parking spot, and jumped from the utility poles, fast enough so that the first ground contact was nearly 10 feet beyond the poles (as evidenced by disturbed grass in the photos). Stopped stuck on hard debris, irregular terrain, and dead tree logs. In other circumstances, this could have had grave consequences to others or the driver. We're not sure we can trust this vehicle not to do this again. Not checked with a dealer. (All manufacturers blame drivers for sudden unintended acceleration.) The vehicle is being repaired at a body shop. Damage was to front and underside. There were no prior warnings or symptoms.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655104April 16, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Solterra 2023 bought Dec 23, 2022 Report: 1. Unintended Acceleration while parking. 2. No braking power till few feet away from fence. Incident:1. Prior parking, owner had accidentally touched the Regenerative Braking Paddle which is right next to turn signal lever. 2. Approaching a row of trees within 2 feet, the Solterra lurched forward, mowed down 2 trees and accelerated while owner's foot was on brake; owner yelled at passenger" NO BRAKES!!" Car accelerated onto backyard, passed a children's swing set, kept going onto the grass. Finally,car stopped by itself within several feet of the fence which faces busy Jericho Turnpike road. 3. Date & Time: 4/14/2025 about 1:30 PM. Owner's Doubt: If the brake system is hydraulic, then pressing brake pedal would stop vehicle; Malfunction: Regenerative Brake System generated acceleration instead of braking ! Recall Service Appt. with Dealer on April 27, 2025: Subaru WRG 231, WRG 241 and repairing front. Done: NHTSA Recall ID 23V-064, February 2023 = Subaru WRE-23. Experience once before: A few seconds of no braking during crawling traffic jam, about a year ago. Vehicle is available for inspection at owner's driveway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654993April 16, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN PARKING. RESULTS $17,000 DAMAGES AND STAGE TWO WHIPLASH. DEALER INSPECTED BLACK BOX AND CLAIMED ACCELERATOR WAS INADVERTENTLY PUSHED FULL THROTTLE, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AS MY WIFE ISN'T TALL ENOUGH TO PUSH FULL THROTTLE. SUBURU WILL NOT SHARE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST SO ASSUME A COVERUP AT THIS POINT AS MY WIFE SWEARS SHE DID NOT PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MANY COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, LIKE AUTOMATED PARKING AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS CAR DID INDEED ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11648175March 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have had the car since December of 2024, the car was a new lease. The battery has failed twice - once in January, and again last week. This has left me stranded twice, the battery failure occurs with no warning, it is running one hour, and the next it is dead. When I took it to the dealership, they said they replaced the battery, the new battery is now doing the same thing. The car also misleads the driver - upon putting the car on the charger, the car notifies how many hours it will take to charge, the data is wrong, it takes many hours longer that what the car says it will take to reach a full charge.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646679March 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My Subaru Solterra EV was parked in the driveway of an Airbnb in Virginia. We were about to depart to return home. Vehicle was turned on and driver commenced to back out of the driveway, however rear safety warning activated as car neared a bush. Driver stopped vehicle, then placed in Drive in order to pull forward a few feet to negotiate putting the car in reverse to leave the driveway. The car then lurched forward with great force and collided with the corner of the house we had been staying in, causing significant damage. Two concerns arise: 1. Why did the car lurch forward with great force to begin with? 2. Why didn’t the automatic emergency braking system not activate? I shiver when I think what might have happened if a person had been standing in front of the car. The car is now being repaired by a shop selected by my insurance company. Once completed it needs to be thoroughly tested to determine if this could be an ongoing problem. I theorize a software glitch my be responsible.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643441February 18, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Solterra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the heating system became inoperable. The contact stated that the heating system failed to function properly and was blowing out cold air instead of heat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the failure was duplicated by the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641214February 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A/C Air compressor failure resulting in no heat. Report as very common problem on internet but no recall or other fix. $3000 repair in a car approximately 2 years old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639850January 31, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving vehicle during rain storm at 10mph through standing water approximately 1 foot depth while exiting freeway in San Francisco caused front bumper components to loosen/crack, front fender liners to tear off, thereby exposing the electrical components of the battery drive unit and electricals under the front hood, including high voltage cables to be exposed to water intrusion. We can see the bright orange high voltage cables through the wheel well, along with electrical wires that appear to be grounds! Safety concern of exposing electrical high voltage system to water if driver was not aware that fender liners detached while driving. We are concerned this may pose potential risk of electrical malfunction as car is driven on wet roads due to water intrusion, reaching sensitive parts, potentially causing sudden electrical or mechanical issues and affecting vehicle safety, causing sudden malfunction given electric vehicle. Other similar reports in bz4x and Solterra - similar models badged by Toyota/Subaru partnership: Google search of "bz4x fender liners damage" [XXX] [XXX] We stopped driving due to front bumper damage, concerns with the electrical system exposed, fender liner hanging off and in contact with tire, filed insurance claim and completed repairs. The fender liner appears to be made of a very soft pliable composition with questionable integrity which may contribute to liner ripping off attachment points. The charging port door also opened AFTER driving through the standing water causing warning light to come on. Video of damage morning after incident: [XXX] Toyota specifications on wading depth: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632912December 28, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Vehicle stopped dramatically at low speed in snow while sensors were freaking out and flashing reverse breaking sensor problem. Car has been in shop for 6 weeks. My concern is the breaks auto/over corrected and caused my car to slide in snow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631223December 17, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I must express my disappointment and concern regarding the actual range performance of the ELECTRIC vehicle 2023 Subaru Solterra. Subaru claims that the Solterra has a range of 228 miles, but I am consistently getting only around 160 miles. This significant discrepancy suggests that Subaru may have falsified the range information, misleading customers about the vehicle's capabilities. Moreover, it is highly frustrating that customers like myself are left at the mercy of retailers who lack the necessary knowledge to properly service Subaru EVs. This situation is unacceptable, and I urge you to address these issues promptly. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625780November 17, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Traveling approx 35mph I carefully went left to avoid a pedestrian walking on the rh line. Vehicle immediately and without warning pulled very hard to the right directly towards pedestrian. Many other instances of vehicle attempting to drive off the side of the road due to line drifting off and vehicle attempting to follow rh lane marking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624732November 12, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I purchased the 2024 Subaru Solterra in May of 2024, had no issues with the vehicle. In late June my cell phone was hacked, and malicious malware was installed, confirmed by my phone provided. Soon after that the vehicle started displaying signs of possibly being infected as well. Safety setting were changed, the vehicle was doing things I had not experienced and was difficult to control. I contacted Subaru after an incident that occurred on [XXX], Albany NY, where the vehicle facial recognition was activated without my knowledge and began displaying warning signs, beeps and demanding I sit up. The vehicle was fighting with me to stay in my lane and was slowing down on its own. When I brought the vehicle to Subaru in Albany NY, I was met with a group of people to include an engineer, Brendan spent over an hour trying to figure out two suspicious accounts connected to the vehicle, he called them 'the hackers". I was also told by one of the women that even know it was a scary situation for me, bringing this to the attention of Subaru, could prevent "future hacking of these vehicles". The technician was unable to figure out the accounts that were link to the vehicle nor could he remove them after multiple attempts, he would remove them and reconnect my account, and then they would pop back up and disconnect my account. I was told I needed to have my phone replaced as it was the source of the malware. I had phone replace with no improvement, just continuing safety issues with no help from Subaru. Over the last few months there has been multiple malfunctions and glitches within the vehicle, vehicle has shut itself off four times while it was running, lights have turned off while driving, warning message to hit brake while on highway, monitor screens go black and not able to see how the vehicle is operating, nor can I see my speed or warning signs. I have video of at least five safety incidents. Subaru has denied any responsibility or solution. DEATHTRAP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618264October 5, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VISIBILITY/WIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
During any precipitation, primarily rain, the adaptive cruise control fails to sense vehicles in front of it. This became alarming as the vehicle began to speed up and get alarmingly close to the other vehicle, causing driver to slam brakes. When looking at the cruise control display, the vehicle never showed another vehicle in front of it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609929August 21, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
During a large rainstorm [XXX] in Colorado Springs, CO when driving through water amid the downpour, the front fabric like wheel well liners came loose and caught underneath the vehicle causing the front plastic undercarriage cover to also come loose. Despite the rain and lightning, and to mitigate any further damage to the vehicle or safety risks to occupants, pulled over and removed the dragging covers from underneath the vehicle. Reasonable threat of danger to occupants and further damage to vehicle if continued to drive. Not removing these would have had made vehicle completely undriveable or debris could have caused risk to other vehicles on roadway. Vehicle was just acquired last month for Subaru dealership in Colorado Springs, CO. Vehicle was dropped off the morning of [XXX] at the same dealership’s service department for further analysis and remediation. Unsure if covered under warranty (really needs to be). Concerned about winter driving and moisture causing the same damage and risk. Also contacted USAA insurance on options. Awaiting resolution from local dealership. Publicly available information suggests that this problem is or has happened to others during rain events and has not been covered under warranty. Suggest manufacturer be held to repair and remediate issue under warranty with more durable parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609539August 19, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Leased the vehicle in November 2023, the Air Condenser failed at the beginning of August, it no longer blows cold air. I have a 1year old baby, it’s California in the summer and it gets 105+ outside, in the car is even hotter. This is a safety hazard, my daughter can no longer be in the vehicle, and my wife is also pregnant driving it to work every day. The vehicle is still waiting to be repaired since August 4th when the issue was identified, and the date of August 12th since the manufacturer has identified the issue at their repair shop. The air condenser has not come in yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606879August 6, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Adaptive cruise control gave out, due to air conditioning compressor failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Solterra