Subaru Solterra Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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)

Adaptive cruise control gave out, due to air conditioning compressor failure

The windshield has distortion and can make the driver and front seat passenger feel carsick when looking through the windshield. Not feeling 100% can affect a driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle and that can affect other drivers nearby. I showed a customer Rep at Fremont Subaru and he confirmed the distortion and all of the other Subaru Solteras he looked at had the same problem. The customer rep has not responded to my numerous followup correspondence. I wrote several times to Subaru of America with no responses. This defect is from day one with no action from Subaru.

Summary of Incident On February 21, 2026, a Level 2 charging event resulted in a catastrophic electrical failure involving my vehicle and the associated EV charging equipment. The incident caused: Severe damage to the EV charging connector (pigtail and receptacle) Destruction of my home inverter system Sustained electrical arcing between L1 and L2 conductors Loss of primary electrical service to my home The vehicle was actively charging at the time of the incident. Safety Concern The failure presents a significant safety risk, including: Potential for fire due to sustained electrical arcing Possible high-voltage backfeed from the vehicle’s onboard charger (OBC) onto the AC input lines Failure of protective devices (surge suppression components destroyed) Risk of similar incidents occurring in other vehicles The damage pattern suggests a high-energy electrical fault localized between L1 and L2 without ground involvement. Current Status Vehicle has been out of service since February 21, 2026 Subaru has had possession of the vehicle since February 24, 2026 No determination or repair has been provided after several weeks Requested Action I request that NHTSA: Investigate potential onboard charger (OBC) failure modes Evaluate risk of electrical backfeed or uncontrolled fault conditions during charging Determine whether this represents a broader safety defect affecting other vehicles

BLUETOOTH CONNECTION WITH PHONE KEEPS DISCONNECTING WHILE I'M DRIVING AND/OR USING MY PHONE FOR CALLS/MAPS/GUIDANCE. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. USB CONNECTION HELPS, BUT STILL DROPS. SAFETY ISSUE, CAUSES MAJOR DISTRACTIONS.

When going over Speed bumps, or experiencing a change in approach angle, primarily at speeds between 15 and 25 MPH, the Solterra's Left Front Suspension makes a click. it's not a knock or a thunk, it's a click. I went to the dealer, let them know the situation. They were unable to recreate the noise. Paperwork included.

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