Subaru Solterra years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Subaru Solterra years

The 2023 Solterra is the weakest year in the lineup, carrying the most owner-filed complaints on CarComplaints and the heaviest recall burden of any model year. To build this guide, we pulled data from NHTSA complaints and recalls, CarComplaints, IIHS, J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and the Solterra owner forum. CarComplaints ranks a “worst year” by repair cost and mileage-at-failure (its PainRank system), while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume - these are different datasets and are attributed separately throughout this guide.

Both years-to-avoid methodology sources are weighted to balance manufacturer data against real-world owner experience.

Every Subaru Solterra model year ranked

The Solterra is a single-generation model launched for 2023, so every available used year falls within that same first generation. Here is how each year stacks up on complaint volume and recall history.

Most common Subaru Solterra problems

The single biggest documented failure across the Solterra lineup is the wheel hub-bolt defect on 2023 models, which led to two separate NHTSA recall campaigns before the problem was fully resolved. Beyond that, owners across 2023-2025 report a persistent 12V auxiliary battery drain, EyeSight phantom braking, an HVAC defroster fault, and a rear-camera software freeze - all confirmed by recall filings or active litigation.

1. Wheel hub-bolt loosening and wheel detachment (2023)

Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle, and wheel detachment while driving can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The defect traces to incorrect torque applied at port facilities before delivery, not a design flaw in the bolts themselves.

The second recall affects 1,182 Solterra EVs that were included in an earlier recall requiring hub-bolt replacement. In June 2022, the OEM issued a recall for the same issue on 403 Solterras, warning that wheel hub bolts “can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle,” even after low-mileage use. The Solterra was subject to a stop-sale and recall (NHTSA 23V-085) for hub bolts that can loosen during driving. Subaru’s own recall number for the second campaign is WRE-23. Subaru is making all repairs for vehicles under recall for wheel detachment at no charge to owners.

The repair cost to you is $0 if the recall has been completed. Before buying any 2023 Solterra, confirm both the original Toyota-initiated campaign (NHTSA 22V-444) and the follow-up Subaru campaign (NHTSA 23V-085 / WRE-23) are closed on that specific VIN. The best way to find out if your Solterra is subject to the recall is to check its VIN on the NHTSA website.

2. 12V auxiliary battery drain (2023-2025)

Drained and dead 12-volt batteries have caused a class action lawsuit alleging 2023-2025 Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X electric SUVs are equipped with 12V batteries that constantly drain and end up dead. The issue is that the 12V system is involved in starting the EV drive system, so a dead auxiliary battery leaves the whole car immobile - not just the accessories.

The lawsuit alleges Toyota and Subaru built the all-electric vehicles with defective battery charging systems which leave the 12V batteries dead. Replacing the 12V battery for free under warranty is supposedly meaningless because the replacement battery will drain, then the replacement of the replacement will drain. Owners have reported that their vehicles can lose battery power in a matter of days or weeks, often without warning, which can leave drivers stranded and at risk.

No recall has been issued for this issue as of the time of writing - it remains in active litigation. If you are shopping a 2023-2025 Solterra, ask the seller directly about 12V battery replacement history and watch for warning lights at startup. Understanding the hidden costs of owning an electric car - including unexpected towing from auxiliary battery failures - can help you budget realistically.

3. HVAC defroster and defogger failure (2023-2025)

Toyota recalled certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles for a visibility issue: during certain HVAC system faults such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative, which can decrease the driver’s visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Subaru’s number for this recall is WRD-25. Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software free of charge and will also inspect the electrical compressor, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. This is a no-cost fix for owners, but it needs to be verified as completed on any used 2023-2025 car you consider, especially in cold-weather climates where defroster failure is a genuine safety issue.

4. Rear camera / Panoramic View Monitor software freeze (2023-2025)

A software error in the Panoramic View Monitor system can cause the backup camera to freeze on a prior frame or show a blank screen when reverse is selected, especially shortly after ignition-on or a quick off/on cycle. The loss of a live rear image makes the vehicle non-compliant with FMVSS 111 “Rear Visibility” and increases back-over risk.

Recall 25V-744 (Subaru WRE25), part of a roughly 1,024,407-vehicle Toyota/Lexus/Subaru campaign, has dealers reprogram the parking-assist/PVM software free of charge. The fix is software-only and straightforward. Confirm it is done on any used Solterra with the PVM option.

5. EyeSight phantom braking (2023-2025)

EyeSight-equipped Solterras are subject to NHTSA complaints and a class-action lawsuit - preliminarily settled in 2025 - alleging the pre-collision/automatic emergency braking system can brake hard with no real obstacle (“phantom braking”), particularly on curves or where the camera misreads hillsides or shadows. Unexpected hard braking at speed risks rear-end collisions.

Dealers can apply EyeSight/driver-assist software reprogramming, as Subaru issued reprogramming bulletins for 2022-2024 models addressing pre-collision errors, and the class-action settlement extends warranty coverage for pre-collision braking, rear automatic braking, and lane-keep failures. On a test drive, pay attention to any unwarranted braking on curvy roads or overpasses, and ask the dealer whether the reprogramming bulletin has been applied.

6. Electrical system faults and slow DC fast-charging (2023-2024)

The most common Subaru Solterra problem across all years is electrical faults, with 19 complaints and a 10.5% crash-involvement rate. The most frequently reported problem areas across 2023-2025 are safety systems, electrical system, and brakes.

The battery pack of the 2023 Subaru Solterra has a slow charging rate at DC, and with low temperatures (32°F), it becomes even slower. Owners on CarComplaints report real-world DC charging taking well beyond the advertised time frame at cold temperatures. Most day-to-day complaints revolve around in-car electronics - infotainment, app connectivity, cameras - and charging quirks, not basic drivability. A software update from the dealer addresses some, but not all, of these issues. Knowing how far electric cars go on one charge in real-world conditions is a useful baseline before setting range expectations.

Which Subaru Solterra years should you avoid

The Subaru Solterra years to avoid are 2023 and 2024. The 2023 model carries the highest complaint load on CarComplaints (41 reports) and the most recall campaigns, including two separate hub-bolt wheel-detachment campaigns. The 2024 model has a below-average reliability score of 67/100 from J.D. Power. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint database holds 111 records for this model, and the 2023 year accounts for the largest share of those filings.

**Worst Subaru Solterra years:** 2023, 2024

1st-generation Subaru Solterra (2023-2024)

The 2023 Subaru Solterra has 41 problems and defects reported by Solterra owners on CarComplaints - the highest figure for any year of this model. The two hub-bolt recall campaigns (NHTSA 22V-444 and NHTSA 23V-085) are unique to the 2023 model year and required some owners to stop driving their vehicles entirely until the fix was confirmed.

The 2024 model avoided the hub-bolt problem but still carries the 12V battery drain complaint pattern, the EyeSight phantom-braking issue, and the HVAC defroster recall (WRD-25). On the 2024 Solterra, owners have reported simultaneous “EV System Malfunction” and “Drive Start Control Malfunction” alerts while driving, which suggests a possible high-voltage system fault or drive control failure. Check the NHTSA complaint database for the 2024 Solterra before buying.

What are the best Subaru Solterra years to buy

The best Subaru Solterra year to buy is 2025. With only 2 NHTSA complaints on record and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, it is the cleanest year in the lineup.

**Most reliable Subaru Solterra years:** 2025

2025 Subaru Solterra

The 2025 Subaru Solterra has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. Those recall campaigns (the HVAC defroster fix and the PVM camera software update) are straightforward software corrections that dealers perform free of charge, and they should already be done on any 2025 in dealer inventory. The Subaru Solterra has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for 2023-2025 models built after October 2022.

Kelley Blue Book owner reviews skew mostly positive on reliability and build quality, though value and range often take hits in reviews. The 2025 also added faster recharging capabilities and hands-free driving features compared to the 2023 launch spec, making it the most complete version of the first generation you can buy used.

Subaru Solterra pre-purchase checklist

Before signing anything on a used Solterra, work through these model-specific checks to avoid inheriting a known problem:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker. Confirm every open recall - especially hub-bolt campaigns NHTSA 22V-444 and 23V-085 on 2023 cars, the HVAC recall (WRD-25 / NHTSA 25V-577), and the PVM camera recall (WRE25 / NHTSA 25V-744) - shows as remedied.
• On any 2023 model, verify the hub-bolt repair twice. Subaru identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors; the teams did not properly complete the repair procedure, resulting in potentially significantly under-torqued bolts. Ask for the repair order showing the fix was done by an authorized dealer, not a port contractor.
• Test the 12V auxiliary battery. Ask whether the 12V battery has ever been replaced and check the date stamp. The defect present in 2023-2025 Solterra models can cause the 12-volt batteries to drain rapidly, leaving the vehicles unable to start, and owners have reported losing battery power in a matter of days or weeks, often without warning.
• Test EyeSight on a curvy road. Drive on a road with curves, overpasses, or shadows and confirm the pre-collision system does not brake unexpectedly. Dealers can apply EyeSight/driver-assist software reprogramming, as Subaru issued reprogramming bulletins for 2022-2024 models addressing pre-collision errors. Ask if this bulletin has been applied.
• Test the HVAC defroster and rear camera. Cycle the vehicle through reverse several times quickly and confirm the camera shows a live image each time. Run the defroster at full blast to confirm it works without the “HVAC compressor failure” fault light.
• Inspect for real-world range. EPA ratings hover in the low-220-mile range, but highway and winter driving can pull that down toward 180-200 miles for many owners. Factor this into your commute math before buying.
• Request full service records and confirm the high-voltage battery warranty (10 years / 100,000 miles to 70% capacity) is still active and untransferred on the specific VIN.
• Get a pre-purchase inspection at a Subaru-authorized dealer or an EV-specialist shop that can read high-voltage battery state-of-health data, not just a standard OBD-II scan.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Solterra years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Toyota bZ4X - shares the Solterra’s platform and has a longer production run in some markets, giving it a broader service network and similar safety credentials

• Subaru Forester - a proven Subaru AWD platform with a much longer reliability track record and more model years to choose from if you are open to a hybrid rather than a full EV

• Subaru Ascent - a larger Subaru SUV with more cargo space and a conventional powertrain that avoids the first-gen EV-specific recall exposure entirely

• Hyundai IONIQ 5 - a competing compact electric SUV with a longer production history, faster DC fast-charging speeds, and a generally stronger early reliability record among first-generation EVs

Is the Subaru Solterra worth buying

The Solterra is worth buying, as long as you focus on the 2025 model year and verify all open recalls are resolved on any 2023-2024 car before purchase. The Subaru Solterra has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for 2023-2025 models built after October 2022, putting it in the top tier of compact electric SUVs for crash protection and active safety. The underlying Toyota - Subaru platform has proven structurally sound, crash performance is strong, and there is no widespread pattern of catastrophic battery or motor failures.

The 2025 stands out as the safest used buy: it has only 2 NHTSA complaints and carries a “Below Average Complaints” verdict. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker and verify full maintenance history before closing any deal.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Subaru Solterra years to buy?

The best Subaru Solterra year to buy is 2025. The 2025 Subaru Solterra has only 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and carries a “Below Average Complaints” verdict - the cleanest reliability snapshot in the model’s short production run so far.

What are the worst years for the Subaru Solterra?

The worst years for the Subaru Solterra are 2023 and 2024. The 2023 Subaru Solterra has 41 problems and defects reported by Solterra owners on CarComplaints - the highest for any year of this model - along with two separate NHTSA hub-bolt recall campaigns. The 2024 follows with a below-average J.D. Power reliability score of 67/100 and shared 12V battery and HVAC concerns.

Which year Subaru Solterra is most reliable?

The 2025 Solterra is the most reliable year currently available. With just 2 NHTSA complaints on record, an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, and software updates that addressed the early launch-year electronic bugs, it is the safest pick in the lineup for used buyers.

What year Subaru Solterra has the worst hub-bolt problems?

The hub-bolt wheel-detachment problem is exclusive to the 2023 Solterra. NHTSA, on behalf of Subaru, issued a second recall on improperly repaired 2023 Solterras and recommended owners immediately take them off the road; the recall affects 1,182 Solterra EVs that were included in an earlier recall requiring hub-bolt replacement. Any 2023 Solterra you consider should have documented dealer repair records showing both recall campaigns (NHTSA 22V-444 and 23V-085) are fully resolved.

How long does a Subaru Solterra last?

The OEM warranty covers the high-voltage battery pack for 10 years / 100,000 miles to 70% capacity. The underlying Toyota - Subaru platform has proven structurally sound and there is no widespread pattern of catastrophic battery or motor failures, which is an encouraging sign for long-term durability. Industry fleet aggregates show a 2.3% average annual battery capacity loss across 22,700 EVs, and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000-plus vehicles. With proper charging habits and regular software updates, a Solterra should be able to serve well past 100,000 miles on its high-voltage battery.