2023 Subaru Solterra problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Solterra, most often about electrical system. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
42
Recalls
4
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
16,000 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 16 of 42 complaints (38%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (12) and visibility & wipers (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 16,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2023 Subaru Solterra has 4 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 4 Subaru Solterra model years we track.

2023 Subaru Solterra problems by category

  • Electrical System · 2 crashes
    16 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    13 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 3 crashes
    12 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    7 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 3 crashes
    6 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    6 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    4 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints
  • Lighting · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system15
Unknown or other13
Service brakes6
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking6
Power train6
Vehicle speed control6
Structure:body4
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control4

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k210k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Subaru Solterra complaints that list mileage.

2023 Subaru Solterra recalls (4)

  • Recall 25V744000Oct 30, 20251,024,407 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

  • Recall 25V577000Sep 4, 202594,320 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.

    Risk: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB07 and 25TA07. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB04 and 25LA04. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-25.

  • Recall 23V064000Feb 9, 20231,182 vehiclesDo not drive
    WHEELS:HUB

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 22V444000Jun 23, 2022661 vehiclesDo not drive
    WHEELS:HUB

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2023 Subaru Solterra complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 11, 2026FLAirbagsElectrical System
    Water collected inside the passenger compartment of my 2023 Subaru Solterra. The carpet was soaked and there was standing water on the floor in both the front and the rear of the vehicle. I first noticed a musty smell in approximately July, 2026. By Aug, 2026 there was standing water on the floor. The dealer told me the cause was a blocked air conditioning drain line. Nothing in my owner's manual or maintenance schedule tells owners to clean, inspect, or service that drain,…
    NHTSA complaint #11763709 · source
  2. Filed Aug 10, 2026VABrakesElectrical System
    NHTSA VEHICLE-DATA MISMATCH: The VIN entered in the vehicle-information field belongs to a Toyota-branded 2023 bZ4X AWD Limited, as shown by the vehicle, Toyota app, factory window sticker, and Toyota dealer records. NHTSA's form incorrectly displays a 2023 Subaru Solterra. NHTSA's VIN decoder identifies the manufacturer as TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION but assigns Subaru/Solterra as the make/model. Please correct the classification and associate this complaint with the 2023…
    NHTSA complaint #11755825 · source
  3. Filed Jul 30, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers
    November 1, 2024 (46,750 Miles): Vehicle suffered an initial internal high-voltage electric A/C compressor meltdown (Diagnostic Trouble Code B14721C). The authorized dealership replaced the compressor under warranty but left the original, contaminated micro-channel condenser assembly in the vehicle, attempting to clear it via a basic fluid flush. January 15, 2026 (121,269 miles): Vehicle was brought to an authorized Subaru dealer for the mandatory Federal Safety Recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11753828 · source
  4. Filed May 1, 2026NJTransmission & Drivetrain
    I had been hearing a humming noise for around a year and when reported to the dealer I was told that the rear electric motor had to be replaced. I had been researching online about this issue and apparently, is something a lot of Solterra owner have gone through. After a week of the car at the dealer, Subaru still doesn't approve the repairs that should be under Power Train guarantee. Should this be something to be part of a recall already considering so many public reports…
    NHTSA complaint #11735160 · source
  5. Filed Mar 23, 202615,000 miCOElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Solterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start to the vehicle, the horn sounded unexpectedly. Several warnings lights illuminated, and the gear shifter failed to shift to drive(D). A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred more than eight times.…
    NHTSA complaint #11726521 · source
  6. Filed Mar 20, 2026TXOther / Unknown
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11725788 · source
  7. Filed Mar 19, 202648,000 miPAVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Solterra. The contact received notification of Subaru Campaign Number: WRD-25, and the vehicle was taken to dealer, where the repair was completed; however, four days later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound while the HVAC system was engaged. Additionally, the HVAC system became inoperable, and the defroster and defogger were inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an electrical compressor…
    NHTSA complaint #11725538 · source
  8. Filed Feb 25, 2026COVisibility & Wipers
    I was driving and my SOLTERRA windshield just suddenly cracked. There are many videos online of how the newer Subaru models crack because of thinner glass
    NHTSA complaint #11720496 · source

Compare the 2023 Subaru Solterra with another vehicle →

Other 2023 Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology