Subaru Solterra problems

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The Toyota bZ4X, also marketed in Japan, Australia, US, Canada, Europe, and China as the Subaru Solterra, is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota. The vehicle debuted in April 2021 as the "bZ4X Concept". It is the first vehicle to be based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed by Toyota and Subaru, and the brand's first model to be part of their Toyota bZ ("beyond Zero") series of zero-emissions vehicles.

Worldwide sales of the bZ4X commenced in mid-2022, with production planned in Japan and China. Sales in the United States will also start in 2022. Toyota has also stated that there will be seven "bZ" models to be launched globally by 2025.

Name

According to Toyota, the meaning of the "bZ4X" nameplate breaks down into:

  • "bZ": for "beyond Zero" emissions, representing the nature of a battery-electric vehicle by going "beyond Zero" emissions,
  • "4": from the equivalent-sized Toyota RAV4 and the
  • "X": describing it as a compact crossover ('X') SUV
photo of Subaru Solterra car production

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Subaru Solterra model years

subaru solterra 2023 photo
Solterra 2023
Subaru

17

2

6

3.8
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Common Subaru Solterra problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Subaru Solterra, several common problems have been identified:

  • Wireless Charging Pad Problems:
    • Users experienced issues with the wireless charging pad intermittently stopping charging, potentially related to conserving the vehicle's range. Additionally, some reported overheating phones and unusual sounds coming from the charging pad.
  • Loose Steering:
    • Complaints highlighted excessively loose steering, requiring significant arm movement even during light curves. This issue led to challenges in maneuvering the vehicle smoothly, affecting the driving experience.
  • Steering Wheel Position:
    • The design of the steering wheel, positioned low, was criticized for compromising leg space and obstructing the view of the digital gauge system when adjusted upwards. This positioning concern impacted both comfort and visibility for drivers.

These problems with the Subaru Solterra, as reported by owners, indicate various issues affecting the functionality, comfort, and safety of the vehicle. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure a positive driving experience and overall satisfaction with the Solterra model.

Subaru Solterra

What is happening with the Subaru Solterra?

The 2024 Solterra debuts all-new Subaru EyeSight® advanced driver-assistance featuresii. New for this year, Hands-Free Driving allows Solterra to travel in its lane at speeds up to 25 mph with only driver supervision, including stop-and-go traffic.

How many miles does the Solterra last?

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is a highly anticipated electric car with an estimated 220 miles of driving range on a single charge.

Is the Solterra being recalled?

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced a safety recall on select 2023 Subaru Solterra vehicles. The issue affects 1,182 model year (MY) 2023 Subaru Solterras.

Is the Solterra larger than the Outback?

The Outback and Forester are both considered mid-size crossovers, while the CrossTrek and Solterra EV are in the compact category.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Subaru Solterra years

We have researched Subaru problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Subaru Solterra cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Subaru Solterra model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Subaru Solterra model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Subaru Solterra years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Subaru Solterra car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Subaru Solterra , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Unknown or other problems
  • Forward collision avoidance problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Visibility/wiper problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Subaru Solterra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Solterra model years

A total of 2 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 17 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Subaru Solterra . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Subaru Solterra vehicles.

List of Subaru Solterra complaints

Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-05
  • VIN: JTMABABA1PA
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: 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.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-04
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-19
  • VIN: JTMABABA2PA
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: 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.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
  • Date Complaint: 2024-07-16
  • VIN: JTMABABA7PA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Subaru states that the vehicle will dc fast charge at 100KWh. My Solterra and others(complaints on Subaru Solterra Forum) takes on average 1 hour and 40 minutes to charge 80%, with an additional 40 minutes to get to 100%. This is a major EV safety concern whern travelling---especially at night. In addition the milage range of the vehicle falls way short of wht SUBARU ADVERTISES TO CONSUMERS. They say 220---but I max out at 208 on a d2 charge. When the weathewr drops below 65F my range has fallen to 169(verified by dealer service records---154 miles. Bottom line from Subaru after having the vehicle in shop for over 30 days was: "performing as designed" Please help.......I am not alone---this issue is pervasive among 2023 Subaru Solterra owners
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-10-12
  • Date Complaint: 2024-02-15
  • VIN: JTMABABA8PA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Slow DC charging of Subaru Solterra 2023 at low temperatures is unsafe for toddlers and babies. The battery pack of Subaru Solterra 2023 has a slow charging rate at DC, and with low temperature( 32 F), it becomes even slower; what makes the matter worse is that if you use air conditioning, the charging rate becomes ten times slower. We were with our toddler driving on the i80 and we had to charge the car to get us to our destination, We have stopped at 50 kw DC charger. The vehicle only pulled 35 kw, the temperature outside was 34 F, and we wanted to keep the air conditioning because our toddler was on board, but the car was taking an insane amount of time to charge, 1000 minutes from 40% to 100%. Toddlers can't stay that long in a car, you can't turn off the AC at the risk of hypothermia, and you can't wait in the nearby building because the DC charger, like most DC chargers, is in the middle of nowhere. We turned off the AC for 10 minutes while sitting in the back with our toddler's body, warming him to get enough charge to reach our next destination. I would expect if the weather was worse, the DC charger would have been slower, and even 10 minutes without AC could have had severe adverse health consequences on the car passengers, kids, and adults. Other EVs have battery conditioning that makes DC chargers faster at low temperatures, thus decreasing the risk of toddler discomfort and hypothermia.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-09
  • Date Complaint: 2024-02-15
  • VIN: JTMABABA7PA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: problem with milage range and charging rate . The vehicle will not charge above 24Kw--no fast charing possible "the vehicle has been found to be operating as designed and no repairs are being recommended" Leased vehicle in October 2023
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-07
  • Date Complaint: 2024-01-24
  • VIN: JTMABABA8PA
  • Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,VISIBILITY
  • Summary: Started the car, dash had multiple warning lights for "drive start control system", "ev system malfunction" and "systems not available" (all safety systems were off). Took car to dealer, they said the car stored no codes, reset the car, took it home. Two days later- same thing happened but also this time the car had NO HEAT. Luckily the heated seats worked but it was 20 degrees F and I had to drive my mother and sister home (which was 90 minutes- a VERY long time to be without heat). Thankfully it did not snow which would have made the car undriveable due to the inability to defrost the windshield. Car went back to dealer (ziegler subaru of Kenosha WI), they have stated (thus far) two valves are bad and need replacing. i am in several online forums with other Solterra drivers, some of which are experiencing the same issues and being told the cause is the same valves, or the compressor. Lead times to acquire these parts are 2+ months. I have had my car since April 2023 and it has 9000 miles and to have it fail, with no heat or safety systems, is a danger to myself and others on the road.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-19
  • Date Complaint: 2024-01-19
  • VIN: JTMABABA6PA
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: The S pedal regenerative breaking shuts off randomly, causing the vehicle to stop breaking, and the need for an immediate use of the brake pedal.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-08
  • Date Complaint: 2023-12-20
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTMABABA9PA
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: We hit a stationary deer at night. Afterwards, we found an open recall: WRG23-1: Forward recognition camera reprogramming 2023 Subaru Solterra, but Subaru refused to investigate as they claim animals (suddenly appearing) are a carve out on their liability. However, the deer wasn't leaping, it was already frozen in the road. The headlights only illuminated its knees, too late for the driver to stop before impact. It could have just as easily been a person, or other heavy road debris. The incident was on a dark highway bypass, with slight left curve, so poor headlights hampered the driver & automatic systems from stopping in time. The headlights angle down (tilts & dims from brights automatically for oncoming cars) instead of illuminating the road properly, neither the driver nor the braking system can detect an object. The regular lights have an abnormally short distance. Only the brights setting illuminates a sufficient braking distance, & those can't be used with oncoming traffic. The headlights have a hard limit on the top, instead of 2 circles of light. The driver, also an engineer, said that the camera needs a certain level of lighting to detect objects, & they probably didn't test these systems together on a dark country road. Normal illumination could have prevented or lessened the damage/danger, swivel headlights would have been best. A driver needs a certain distance illuminated for braking distance at speed, unless the camera is radar or infrared: it needs light too. The front 1/3 of the car was peeled off, causing over $15k in damages. Several body panels ripped off, the wiring harness was ripped out. There were no warnings before the impact. No automatic braking occured. No airbags were deployed. There is a police report. Road was dark, clear and dry. The driver was sober, attentive and going the speed limit. A camera reprogramming without a headlight fix will not solve this safety issue, & we told Subaru as much. This situation may apply to Toyota.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-14
  • Date Complaint: 2023-10-16
  • VIN: JTMABABA6PA
  • Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: Under certain circumstances when using adaptive cruise control the car can accelerate towards a stationary vehicle. The last time that it occurred I was using the adaptative control at 35 mph and was approaching a stop light with the car correctly detecting a car in front which my car had detected and was slowing to allow adapt to the speed of the car that was ahead. The car entered a turn lane on the left and there was another car directly in from of mine and it was stopped at the light. My car began to accelerate to the speed which is was set at and didn't detect the car in front which was stopped at a traffic light. I had to quickly apply my brakes to avoid a collision. My car had recently been updated with an update to it's software. An update had been applied to the front camera's software.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-29
  • Date Complaint: 2023-09-29
  • VIN: JTMABABA1PA
  • Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 9/29/2023, driving through 4-5 inch of flood water on the road at around 10 miles per hour, the undercover piece under front engenie area fall fall and both front mud guard liners ripped off and broken. Brand new vehcile only been dirving for 1 month with only 775 miles. Went to Subaru dealership, and dealership said those broken parts are not under warranty. This undercover piece & both front mud guard liners are very poorly design and super bad quality. I would like to file a cliam and request Subaru/Toyota (car was made by Toyoto) to recall & provide free repair to the car owner who has experience this issue.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-12
  • Date Complaint: 2023-09-14
  • VIN: JTMABABA0PA
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: Left and right wheel well liners , front undertray and rear undertray came off while driving at slow speed on a street that had about 8 inches of water during heavy rain. I took the car to the Subaru dealer to get fixed under the guarantee as the car was just 6 months old and 7,553 miles but the dealer said they could not apply the guarantee on this situation because it was consider and act of nature. However , a car that is marketed as an SUV with a 8.3 inches of ground clearance and cannot handle a low speed pass over slightly deep water, shows that the car is not performing as it should. I am sure that day a lot of other cars were on the road and this didnt happen to them . I have a video of that day while driving and another car was also on the same road. I really question the quality of those parts and maybe it should be looked into in case that this has happen to a lot of other Solterra and BZ4Z ( which shares the same platform with the Solterra. The other issue is that according to the Subaru dealer, the replacement parts are not available they don't know when they will become available , and I have read that driving the car without those liners it can damage other components on the car due to debris that can be thrown by the tire against the unprotected critical parts.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
  • Date Complaint: 2023-08-14
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTMABABA9PA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Subaru Solterra - Sudden unexpected acceleration with no ability to brake or steer. Message appeared "System Malfunction" Crashed into woods; small trees slowed and stopped car; airbags did not deploy. no injuries but great risk if car had headed to nearby highway instead of trees. car now at dealer undergoing inspection by Subaru.Police report made; copy not yet available. Michigan State Police report 75-2169-23
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
  • Date Complaint: 2023-07-20
  • VIN: JTMABABA5PA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: Subject: Safety Concerns with Subaru Solterra - Urgent Attention Required I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the safety issues I am experiencing with my newly purchased Subaru Solterra 2023 Touring. Despite my enthusiasm for the vehicle, the problems outlined below have caused me considerable distress and are posing significant risks to both myself and my beloved pet. Safety Issue 1: Bluetooth Connectivity and Remote Climate Control The Bluetooth connectivity features in the vehicle, including driver detection, load profile, locking/unlocking, and remote climate control, are currently non-functional. The dealership has acknowledged this issue but has been unable to provide an estimated timeframe for a fix. This problem alone presents multiple safety concerns: 1.1. Risk to My Pet's Safety: I frequently leave my pet in the car during extreme weather conditions to ensure their safety. The inability to operate the remote climate control due to the connectivity issue can lead to a life-threatening situation for my pet, as the car automatically shuts off after 20 minutes. 1.2. Inability to Lock the Car: Additionally, the inability to lock the car from the app exacerbates the safety risks, as it compromises the security of both my pet and the vehicle's contents when I am away. Safety Issue 2: Discrepancy in Mileage Reporting The mileage displayed on the Subaru Connect App and the car itself shows a significant discrepancy. While the app indicates a range of 240 miles on a full charge, the car's display only shows 179 miles. This disparity is not only disconcerting but also raises serious safety concerns: 2.1. Uncertain Range Reliability: As an electric vehicle owner, knowing the accurate range is crucial for planning my journeys. The discrepancy between the app and the car's display leaves me unsure of the actual remaining range, potentially leading to battery depletion and a complete shutdown while operating.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
  • Date Complaint: 2023-07-04
  • VIN: JTMABABA7PA
  • Components: SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The Toyota bz4x have a large crash rate, because the Car Computer System is different from the Driver mind on the Highway. Cars cannot be a Driver or Substitute on Streets for Now. Any Changes of the lines on the Highway need Signals before, If you don't, your Car bz4x can't changed your line. In the work zone, the bz4x have a large probability of crash, because of NO STRAIGHT LINE IN THE WORK ZONE, that means the bz4x need assistance in work ZONE before driving, if you don't have any intention of changing the line, you will need your Signals Sign to keep moving straight. Signals before any changing of the lines, any Exits or Merging is the Best things for the Drivers to do on the Streets. IF THE DRIVERS CANNOT SHOW THEIR INTENTIONS ON THE HIGHWAY, ISN'T THE CARS JOBS TO DO IT. ALL THIS, IT'S ABOUT SAFETY.
Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-26
  • Date Complaint: 2023-05-29
  • VIN: JTMABABA5PA
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Black piano plastic blinds driver when it is sunny outside.

Recalls Subaru Solterra

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Subaru Solterra.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Report Received Date: 2023-02-09
  • Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Park It: 1
  • Components: WHEELS:HUB
  • Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Solterra vehicles. Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle.
  • Consequence: Wheel detachment while driving can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been completed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the hub bolts, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-23.
  • Model: Subaru Solterra 2023
  • Report Received Date: 2022-06-23
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Park It: 1
  • Components: WHEELS:HUB
  • Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Subaru Solterra and Toyota BZ4X vehicles. The hub bolts on the wheels may loosen, causing a wheel to detach from the vehicle after low-mileage use.
  • Consequence: A wheel detaching from a moving vehicle can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they are repaired. Dealers will replace the hub bolts and wheels, free of charge. Letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 27, 2022. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Latest negative Subaru Solterra car reviews

  1. Grant Price 2024-10-04

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Despite my bad experience with the Solterra, I was able to trade it for an Outback thanks to the responsible actions of the dealership. While the odometer displays 303 miles, the owners manual suggests that the mileage may be closer to 220. I filed a complaint with BBB of NJ against Subaru of America, but unfortunately, they did not show any concern despite my 40 years of loyalty as a Subaru owner.

  2. Dane Abshire 2024-06-13

    Vehicle year: 2023

    I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my car. I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 300 lbs, and I had a bit of trouble getting into the car at first. However, once I was inside, it was quite comfortable. I've noticed that my Crosstrek has a bit more space, but I think that might be due to Toyota's influence. Subaru has always been great at making large openings for people, so I'm sure they'll continue to improve in the future.

Latest positive Subaru Solterra car reviews

  1. Eliezer Brown 2024-07-09

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Excellent, smooth driving experience, effortless acceleration. Comfortable interior with easy to use controls.

  2. Julius Gaylord 2024-07-05

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Loved this event! Nicely put together. Premier Subaru in Branford, CT is a great car dealership.

  3. Jermey Schowalter 2024-06-12

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Good value! I'm so glad to hear that you were able to lease your first car at such an affordable price of $230 a month for 3 years. The range of 250 miles per charge is impressive and it's great to hear that the car has nice power to get out in traffic. I'm thrilled to hear that you're enjoying the vehicle so far, despite the quirky interior. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

  4. Aiden Lockman 2024-02-11

    Vehicle year: 2023

    I love my car! I can get it up to 290 instead of 228. The steering wheel is great to handle and it provides a smooth ride.

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