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At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 7 recalls, 39 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Subaru Solterra.
104 MPGe combined
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints filed on the 2023 Subaru Solterra point most consistently to the forward collision avoidance system and powertrain. On the driver assistance side, owners report the automatic emergency braking and collision warning systems activating unexpectedly or failing to respond as expected, sometimes in ways that affect normal driving. Powertrain complaints center on a persistent humming or droning noise traced to the rear electric motor, with several owners reporting the motor ultimately needed replacement, a repair some describe as slow to get approved under warranty. A handful of structural complaints involve windshield cracking that owners say occurred without any apparent impact. There is also an isolated report of high-gloss interior trim reflecting sunlight directly into the driver's eyes, and a separate report of the HVAC system failing shortly after a dealer service visit.
39
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
By System
The 2023 Subaru Solterra has 7 recalls, the most serious being hub bolts that can loosen and allow a wheel to detach from the vehicle while driving, raising the risk of losing control.
Two separate recall filings cover this same wheel detachment risk, but the underlying problem is one: the hub bolts securing the wheels may not hold under normal driving conditions, and a wheel that comes free at speed leaves the driver with no ability to steer or stop predictably. On the visibility side, two related recalls address the HVAC system entering a failsafe mode during certain electrical faults, such as compressor failure, which can leave the windshield defroster and rear defogger unable to clear fogged or iced glass, reducing the driver's ability to see out in cold or humid conditions. The rearview camera also has a software defect, covered by multiple filings, where the image can freeze or go blank entirely when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, leaving the driver without any rear view while backing up. Both the defroster and camera issues are software-related and affect vehicles equipped with the panoramic view monitor system, though the defroster fault can also trigger warning messages on the instrument panel. Rounding out the list, a label recall notes that a VIN error on certain vehicles makes it impossible to identify the make from the VIN alone, though this has no effect on how the vehicle operates or its safety in any driving situation.
At a glance
What can fail
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
A software issue may cause the rearview camera image to freeze or fail to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse, preventing you from seeing the required rearview image.
What the fix does
Subaru will update the parking assist ECU software at a dealership to restore proper rearview camera operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the Panoramic View Monitor system may cause the rearview camera to freeze or go blank when backing up, blocking your rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the parking assist software at no cost to restore proper rearview camera function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the HVAC system to enter failsafe mode, preventing the windshield defroster from working properly. An 'EV System Malfunction' or 'Drive Start Control Malfunction' message may appear.
What the fix does
The dealer will update the HVAC system electronic control unit software and inspect or replace the electrical compressor if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When the HVAC system experiences certain faults, like electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger may stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the HVAC control software and inspect the electrical compressor, replacing it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Hub bolts on certain 2023 Solterra vehicles were not tightened properly during manufacturing. If these bolts loosen, the wheels can detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the hub bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your vehicle's identification number (VIN) contains an error that prevents the make from being determined using the VIN alone.
What the fix does
Subaru has corrected its manufacturing process to ensure all new vehicles receive accurate vehicle identification numbers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the wheels to the hub can loosen, potentially causing a wheel to separate from the vehicle during use.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the hub bolts and wheels at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
