2024 Subaru Solterra Owner Complaints

I have had the car since December of 2024, the car was a new lease. The battery has failed twice - once in January, and again last week. This has left me stranded twice, the battery failure occurs with no warning, it is running one hour, and the next it is dead. When I took it to the dealership, they said they replaced the battery, the new battery is now doing the same thing. The car also misleads the driver - upon putting the car on the charger, the car notifies how many hours it will take to charge, the data is wrong, it takes many hours longer that what the car says it will take to reach a full charge.

3/13/2025

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding my 2024 Subaru Solterra. On 09 Aug 2025, while driving, my vehicle displayed “EV System Malfunction” and “Drive Start Control Malfunction” alerts simultaneously. Although the vehicle was still drivable, this combination of warnings is alarming, as it suggests a possible high-voltage system fault or drive control failure. The AC is not working too. I am deeply concerned for the following reasons: 1. Safety Risk: These faults could lead to sudden loss of power or prevent the vehicle from restarting after a stop, potentially leaving me stranded in unsafe conditions. 2. Loss of Confidence: This is an unacceptable failure in a nearly new vehicle. I have lost trust in its reliability and safety. 3. Potential Widespread Issue: Other Solterra owners have reported similar warnings online, suggesting this may be a systemic defect requiring urgent investigation. I expect a formal case number for this complaint and a written response outlining Subaru’s plan to resolve this matter.

8/11/2025

I purchased the 2024 Subaru Solterra in May of 2024, had no issues with the vehicle. In late June my cell phone was hacked, and malicious malware was installed, confirmed by my phone provided. Soon after that the vehicle started displaying signs of possibly being infected as well. Safety setting were changed, the vehicle was doing things I had not experienced and was difficult to control. I contacted Subaru after an incident that occurred on [XXX], Albany NY, where the vehicle facial recognition was activated without my knowledge and began displaying warning signs, beeps and demanding I sit up. The vehicle was fighting with me to stay in my lane and was slowing down on its own. When I brought the vehicle to Subaru in Albany NY, I was met with a group of people to include an engineer, Brendan spent over an hour trying to figure out two suspicious accounts connected to the vehicle, he called them 'the hackers". I was also told by one of the women that even know it was a scary situation for me, bringing this to the attention of Subaru, could prevent "future hacking of these vehicles". The technician was unable to figure out the accounts that were link to the vehicle nor could he remove them after multiple attempts, he would remove them and reconnect my account, and then they would pop back up and disconnect my account. I was told I needed to have my phone replaced as it was the source of the malware. I had phone replace with no improvement, just continuing safety issues with no help from Subaru. Over the last few months there has been multiple malfunctions and glitches within the vehicle, vehicle has shut itself off four times while it was running, lights have turned off while driving, warning message to hit brake while on highway, monitor screens go black and not able to see how the vehicle is operating, nor can I see my speed or warning signs. I have video of at least five safety incidents. Subaru has denied any responsibility or solution. DEATHTRAP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

11/12/2024

Traveling approx 35mph I carefully went left to avoid a pedestrian walking on the rh line. Vehicle immediately and without warning pulled very hard to the right directly towards pedestrian. Many other instances of vehicle attempting to drive off the side of the road due to line drifting off and vehicle attempting to follow rh lane marking.

11/17/2024

CAR INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN PARKING. RESULTS $17,000 DAMAGES AND STAGE TWO WHIPLASH. DEALER INSPECTED BLACK BOX AND CLAIMED ACCELERATOR WAS INADVERTENTLY PUSHED FULL THROTTLE, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AS MY WIFE ISN'T TALL ENOUGH TO PUSH FULL THROTTLE. SUBURU WILL NOT SHARE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST SO ASSUME A COVERUP AT THIS POINT AS MY WIFE SWEARS SHE DID NOT PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MANY COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, LIKE AUTOMATED PARKING AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS CAR DID INDEED ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN.

4/16/2025

This car has been having issues with the facial recognition. It consistently cannot see my face when I am looking forward, and always manages to give me an alert when looking in my mirrors or doing a lane change. I am concerned that due to the a out of highway driving I do, that the car will Stop on the Interstate, causing a major accident

9/9/2025

Adaptive cruise control gave out, due to air conditioning compressor failure

8/6/2024

2 Items: 1st is the facial recognition camera, which causes the vehicle to stop if it can't see the driver. The recognition camera has often indicated an inability to see my face or my wife's face when she has been driving. On June 30th when returning home from work I had the driver's window open with bright sunlight, which fell fully on the camera, which totally failed to see my face, stopping the vehicle in traffic suddenly. (Fortunately, it was near a traffic light which had just turned red, so traffic had already slowed down.) I then noticed, in the bright light on the camera surface a streak of multiple fine scratches across the whole face of the camera screen. I shut the window, which reduced the light hitting the camera, and it recognized me again, allowing me to drive again. Other than in bright light, the scratches are hardly apparent. Now that I know they are there, I can see a very subtle shade difference where they are. 2nd Item: The forward collision warning occasionally brakes, showing a vehicle ahead when there is no vehicle ahead, and conversely, when set to speed control assist, it sometimes does not see a vehicle ahead or show one on the screen when there is one, sometimes speeding up to within a dangerous closeness of the vehicle ahead. It seems to be happening at a frequency of about 2 to 3 times every 100 miles, slightly more often with the braking and showing a car image on the screen when there is no vehicle ahead.

7/7/2025

During a large rainstorm [XXX] in Colorado Springs, CO when driving through water amid the downpour, the front fabric like wheel well liners came loose and caught underneath the vehicle causing the front plastic undercarriage cover to also come loose. Despite the rain and lightning, and to mitigate any further damage to the vehicle or safety risks to occupants, pulled over and removed the dragging covers from underneath the vehicle. Reasonable threat of danger to occupants and further damage to vehicle if continued to drive. Not removing these would have had made vehicle completely undriveable or debris could have caused risk to other vehicles on roadway. Vehicle was just acquired last month for Subaru dealership in Colorado Springs, CO. Vehicle was dropped off the morning of [XXX] at the same dealership’s service department for further analysis and remediation. Unsure if covered under warranty (really needs to be). Concerned about winter driving and moisture causing the same damage and risk. Also contacted USAA insurance on options. Awaiting resolution from local dealership. Publicly available information suggests that this problem is or has happened to others during rain events and has not been covered under warranty. Suggest manufacturer be held to repair and remediate issue under warranty with more durable parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

8/21/2024

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding my 2024 Subaru Solterra. On 09 Aug 2025, while driving, my vehicle displayed “EV System Malfunction” and “Drive Start Control Malfunction” alerts simultaneously. Although the vehicle was still drivable, this combination of warnings is alarming, as it suggests a possible high-voltage system fault or drive control failure. The AC is not working too. I am deeply concerned for the following reasons: 1. Safety Risk: These faults could lead to sudden loss of power or prevent the vehicle from restarting after a stop, potentially leaving me stranded in unsafe conditions. 2. Loss of Confidence: This is an unacceptable failure in a nearly new vehicle. I have lost trust in its reliability and safety. 3. Potential Widespread Issue: Other Solterra owners have reported similar warnings online, suggesting this may be a systemic defect requiring urgent investigation. I expect a formal case number for this complaint and a written response outlining Subaru’s plan to resolve this matter.

8/11/2025

I purchased the 2024 Subaru Solterra in May of 2024, had no issues with the vehicle. In late June my cell phone was hacked, and malicious malware was installed, confirmed by my phone provided. Soon after that the vehicle started displaying signs of possibly being infected as well. Safety setting were changed, the vehicle was doing things I had not experienced and was difficult to control. I contacted Subaru after an incident that occurred on [XXX], Albany NY, where the vehicle facial recognition was activated without my knowledge and began displaying warning signs, beeps and demanding I sit up. The vehicle was fighting with me to stay in my lane and was slowing down on its own. When I brought the vehicle to Subaru in Albany NY, I was met with a group of people to include an engineer, Brendan spent over an hour trying to figure out two suspicious accounts connected to the vehicle, he called them 'the hackers". I was also told by one of the women that even know it was a scary situation for me, bringing this to the attention of Subaru, could prevent "future hacking of these vehicles". The technician was unable to figure out the accounts that were link to the vehicle nor could he remove them after multiple attempts, he would remove them and reconnect my account, and then they would pop back up and disconnect my account. I was told I needed to have my phone replaced as it was the source of the malware. I had phone replace with no improvement, just continuing safety issues with no help from Subaru. Over the last few months there has been multiple malfunctions and glitches within the vehicle, vehicle has shut itself off four times while it was running, lights have turned off while driving, warning message to hit brake while on highway, monitor screens go black and not able to see how the vehicle is operating, nor can I see my speed or warning signs. I have video of at least five safety incidents. Subaru has denied any responsibility or solution. DEATHTRAP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

11/12/2024

Lane departure feature is overly sensitive, often adjusts the car when not needed and has made car swerve inadvertently

9/9/2025

2 Items: 1st is the facial recognition camera, which causes the vehicle to stop if it can't see the driver. The recognition camera has often indicated an inability to see my face or my wife's face when she has been driving. On June 30th when returning home from work I had the driver's window open with bright sunlight, which fell fully on the camera, which totally failed to see my face, stopping the vehicle in traffic suddenly. (Fortunately, it was near a traffic light which had just turned red, so traffic had already slowed down.) I then noticed, in the bright light on the camera surface a streak of multiple fine scratches across the whole face of the camera screen. I shut the window, which reduced the light hitting the camera, and it recognized me again, allowing me to drive again. Other than in bright light, the scratches are hardly apparent. Now that I know they are there, I can see a very subtle shade difference where they are. 2nd Item: The forward collision warning occasionally brakes, showing a vehicle ahead when there is no vehicle ahead, and conversely, when set to speed control assist, it sometimes does not see a vehicle ahead or show one on the screen when there is one, sometimes speeding up to within a dangerous closeness of the vehicle ahead. It seems to be happening at a frequency of about 2 to 3 times every 100 miles, slightly more often with the braking and showing a car image on the screen when there is no vehicle ahead.

7/7/2025

This car has been having issues with the facial recognition. It consistently cannot see my face when I am looking forward, and always manages to give me an alert when looking in my mirrors or doing a lane change. I am concerned that due to the a out of highway driving I do, that the car will Stop on the Interstate, causing a major accident

9/9/2025

During a large rainstorm [XXX] in Colorado Springs, CO when driving through water amid the downpour, the front fabric like wheel well liners came loose and caught underneath the vehicle causing the front plastic undercarriage cover to also come loose. Despite the rain and lightning, and to mitigate any further damage to the vehicle or safety risks to occupants, pulled over and removed the dragging covers from underneath the vehicle. Reasonable threat of danger to occupants and further damage to vehicle if continued to drive. Not removing these would have had made vehicle completely undriveable or debris could have caused risk to other vehicles on roadway. Vehicle was just acquired last month for Subaru dealership in Colorado Springs, CO. Vehicle was dropped off the morning of [XXX] at the same dealership’s service department for further analysis and remediation. Unsure if covered under warranty (really needs to be). Concerned about winter driving and moisture causing the same damage and risk. Also contacted USAA insurance on options. Awaiting resolution from local dealership. Publicly available information suggests that this problem is or has happened to others during rain events and has not been covered under warranty. Suggest manufacturer be held to repair and remediate issue under warranty with more durable parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

8/21/2024

I purchased the 2024 Subaru Solterra in May of 2024, had no issues with the vehicle. In late June my cell phone was hacked, and malicious malware was installed, confirmed by my phone provided. Soon after that the vehicle started displaying signs of possibly being infected as well. Safety setting were changed, the vehicle was doing things I had not experienced and was difficult to control. I contacted Subaru after an incident that occurred on [XXX], Albany NY, where the vehicle facial recognition was activated without my knowledge and began displaying warning signs, beeps and demanding I sit up. The vehicle was fighting with me to stay in my lane and was slowing down on its own. When I brought the vehicle to Subaru in Albany NY, I was met with a group of people to include an engineer, Brendan spent over an hour trying to figure out two suspicious accounts connected to the vehicle, he called them 'the hackers". I was also told by one of the women that even know it was a scary situation for me, bringing this to the attention of Subaru, could prevent "future hacking of these vehicles". The technician was unable to figure out the accounts that were link to the vehicle nor could he remove them after multiple attempts, he would remove them and reconnect my account, and then they would pop back up and disconnect my account. I was told I needed to have my phone replaced as it was the source of the malware. I had phone replace with no improvement, just continuing safety issues with no help from Subaru. Over the last few months there has been multiple malfunctions and glitches within the vehicle, vehicle has shut itself off four times while it was running, lights have turned off while driving, warning message to hit brake while on highway, monitor screens go black and not able to see how the vehicle is operating, nor can I see my speed or warning signs. I have video of at least five safety incidents. Subaru has denied any responsibility or solution. DEATHTRAP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

11/12/2024

The air conditioning has stopped working and after 30 days has not been repaired. Visibility issues during cold conditions

10/15/2025

On December 15, 2025, driving on a highway in low temperatures, my 2024 Subaru Solterra (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a progressive loss of power. At 9:20 a.m., I departed NYC for Amenia, NY (91 miles). The range showed ~130 miles (no AC). For the first ~70 miles, the range indicator consistently remained higher than miles-to-destination, confirming sufficient charge to arrive safely. Around mile 70, the range buffer diminished rapidly. By 10:52 a.m. (approx. 85 miles in), the vehicle stopped responding normally to the accelerator. Speed became limited to 36–40 mph. The panel displayed: “Traction battery empty, Output power reduced.” However, immediately next to this warning, the dashboard displayed "7 mi" range and 4% battery. Relying on this data—which indicated sufficient range to reach a safe location—I continued. This contradictory information prevented an informed safety decision. Vehicle behavior became unstable. At 11:01 a.m., I pulled to the shoulder and called roadside assistance. After this stop, the vehicle appeared to recover traction, so I attempted to reach destination (6 miles away). However, unreliable power delivery persisted and the vehicle eventually failed completely at 11:25 a.m., leaving me stranded. Towing arrived at 2:00 p.m. This incident involves a critical range estimation failure. The vehicle promised 130 miles but failed after ~85 miles of conservative driving—a ~35% discrepancy. Furthermore, erratic behavior and conflicting data (showing available range while warning "Empty",) misled me into believing the vehicle was safe to operate, leaving me stranded in winter conditions on an active roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

12/16/2025