2023 Subaru SOLTERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 41 complaints (34.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 24.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 22.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
Electrical System: 14; Unknown Or Other: 13; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 6; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 4; Structure:Body: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2022: 1; 2023: 9; 2024: 9; 2025: 14; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11514133 · 2023-03-28 (March 28, 2023)
Ihad something happen 3 times with the car on my drive to work. It was raining and vehicles ahead of me were kicking up a significant amount of mist in front of my Solterra. I was using the adaptive cruise control feature and it is supposed to follow cars in front of you and slow down or speed up (to your max set rate) to keep with traffic. THREE (3) times it did not see the car in front of me and I had to apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down or I may have hit the vehicle in front of me. As mentioned above, this happened in very misty cond…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11514133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538316 · 2023-08-14 (August 14, 2023)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533554 · 2023-07-20 (July 20, 2023)
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, inc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11561166 · 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11561166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11725788 · 2026-03-20 (March 20, 2026)
When the sun is at certain angles in the middle of the day, direct sunlight bounces off of the high-gloss plastic trim around the shifting knob directly into the driver's eyes. This is distracting and makes it hard to see the road.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11725788 at NHTSA ↗