AI Damage2023 Subaru Solterra: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Solterra filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about forward collision avoidance and electrical system. The maker issued 178 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 178
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 36% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 32% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 24% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 16% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 9 complaints (36% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (32% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 123.
- Vehicle speed control: 6 complaints (24% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Visibility: 4 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 2 | 123 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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…
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,162 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 45% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Solterra has 11 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 25, above average.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- This Bulletin was developed to help prevent water intrusion at the rear tail light connector
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin provided diagnostic procedure information to be followed when addressing Dark Current /…
This Bulletin provided diagnostic procedure information to be followed when addressing Dark Current / Parasitic Draw concerns on Subaru EV vehicles.
- This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but…
This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
NHTSA lists 178 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Solterra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: forward collision avoidance, electrical system, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (12%), A/C or heater (12%), unintended acceleration (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Subaru Solterra?
NHTSA lists 178 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Solterra from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.