2023 SUBARU SOLTERRA

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.

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.

STRUCTURE:BODY

On the 23-25MY Subaru Solterra there is piano black reflective material plastics on the center console. It is angled slightly and when the sun is shinning through the windshield from directly above the car, such as noon/lunch time. The sun reflects directly into the drivers eyes, the plastic area is large and needs to be covered by something while you are driving or else you need to keep moving your head or body around. Covering it quickly with your hand is an option if you like to drive with one hand and distracted by trying to cover the glare. This would be easily duplicated if sunny and time of day is right. Multiple other Solterra owners noted this issue as well, the 26MY Solterra is redesigned and fixed this issue by changing the plastic and interior design.

POWER TRAIN

Component/System that failed: Battery range performance and charging system on 2025 Subaru Solterra. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle loses significant range after charging, creating a real risk of being stranded in traffic, on the freeway, or in remote locations — even during short in-town trips. This could leave me without power in unsafe conditions. Problem details: On one occasion, after charging for 48 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast charger, I gained only 53 miles of range, then lost 17 of those miles in just 2 miles of driving. On other occasions, I have lost 21 miles in 1 mile of driving and 27 miles in 6 miles. No climate control was in use during some of these tests. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem occurs repeatedly and has been documented with photographic evidence. Gresham Subaru has claimed this is “normal,” but it is not consistent with expected EV performance. Inspection history: The vehicle has been looked at by Gresham Subaru but no thorough diagnostic or battery inspection has been completed. Subaru of America is aware of the issue. Warning signs: No warning lamps, error messages, or other dashboard indicators appear before or during the loss of range. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued despite software updates.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Component/System that failed: Battery range performance and charging system on 2025 Subaru Solterra. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle loses significant range after charging, creating a real risk of being stranded in traffic, on the freeway, or in remote locations — even during short in-town trips. This could leave me without power in unsafe conditions. Problem details: On one occasion, after charging for 48 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast charger, I gained only 53 miles of range, then lost 17 of those miles in just 2 miles of driving. On other occasions, I have lost 21 miles in 1 mile of driving and 27 miles in 6 miles. No climate control was in use during some of these tests. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem occurs repeatedly and has been documented with photographic evidence. Gresham Subaru has claimed this is “normal,” but it is not consistent with expected EV performance. Inspection history: The vehicle has been looked at by Gresham Subaru but no thorough diagnostic or battery inspection has been completed. Subaru of America is aware of the issue. Warning signs: No warning lamps, error messages, or other dashboard indicators appear before or during the loss of range. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued despite software updates.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component/System that failed: Battery range performance and charging system on 2025 Subaru Solterra. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle loses significant range after charging, creating a real risk of being stranded in traffic, on the freeway, or in remote locations — even during short in-town trips. This could leave me without power in unsafe conditions. Problem details: On one occasion, after charging for 48 minutes at a Level 3 DC fast charger, I gained only 53 miles of range, then lost 17 of those miles in just 2 miles of driving. On other occasions, I have lost 21 miles in 1 mile of driving and 27 miles in 6 miles. No climate control was in use during some of these tests. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem occurs repeatedly and has been documented with photographic evidence. Gresham Subaru has claimed this is “normal,” but it is not consistent with expected EV performance. Inspection history: The vehicle has been looked at by Gresham Subaru but no thorough diagnostic or battery inspection has been completed. Subaru of America is aware of the issue. Warning signs: No warning lamps, error messages, or other dashboard indicators appear before or during the loss of range. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued despite software updates.

SUSPENSION

I am writing to express my concern regarding a series of significant issues I’ve experienced with my vehicle, all occurring within a span of less than six months and well within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. 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. 2.Suspension and Rear Motor Issue: I recently brought the vehicle in due to an increasingly poor ride quality and excessive road impact. The inspection revealed a suspension issue and, more seriously, a failing rear motor that now requires replacement. 3.Electrical Malfunction – Blinker Failure: The vehicle is currently in the shop due to the failure of the left turn signal, which was traced to erosion in the casing housing the electrical wiring. These repeated failures are deeply concerning, particularly for a relatively new vehicle. I am requesting a thorough review of the situation and a clear resolution path, as this level of reliability is unacceptable for a vehicle still under warranty

POWER TRAIN

I am writing to express my concern regarding a series of significant issues I’ve experienced with my vehicle, all occurring within a span of less than six months and well within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. 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. 2.Suspension and Rear Motor Issue: I recently brought the vehicle in due to an increasingly poor ride quality and excessive road impact. The inspection revealed a suspension issue and, more seriously, a failing rear motor that now requires replacement. 3.Electrical Malfunction – Blinker Failure: The vehicle is currently in the shop due to the failure of the left turn signal, which was traced to erosion in the casing housing the electrical wiring. These repeated failures are deeply concerning, particularly for a relatively new vehicle. I am requesting a thorough review of the situation and a clear resolution path, as this level of reliability is unacceptable for a vehicle still under warranty

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am writing to express my concern regarding a series of significant issues I’ve experienced with my vehicle, all occurring within a span of less than six months and well within the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty period. 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. 2.Suspension and Rear Motor Issue: I recently brought the vehicle in due to an increasingly poor ride quality and excessive road impact. The inspection revealed a suspension issue and, more seriously, a failing rear motor that now requires replacement. 3.Electrical Malfunction – Blinker Failure: The vehicle is currently in the shop due to the failure of the left turn signal, which was traced to erosion in the casing housing the electrical wiring. These repeated failures are deeply concerning, particularly for a relatively new vehicle. I am requesting a thorough review of the situation and a clear resolution path, as this level of reliability is unacceptable for a vehicle still under warranty

ENGINE

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 was nearly 10 feet beyond the poles (as evidenced by disturbed grass in the photos). Stopped stuck on hard debris, irregular terrain, and dead tree logs. In other circumstances, this could have had grave consequences to others or the driver. We're not sure we can trust this vehicle not to do this again. Not checked with a dealer. (All manufacturers blame drivers for sudden unintended acceleration.) The vehicle is being repaired at a body shop. Damage was to front and underside. There were no prior warnings or symptoms.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 was nearly 10 feet beyond the poles (as evidenced by disturbed grass in the photos). Stopped stuck on hard debris, irregular terrain, and dead tree logs. In other circumstances, this could have had grave consequences to others or the driver. We're not sure we can trust this vehicle not to do this again. Not checked with a dealer. (All manufacturers blame drivers for sudden unintended acceleration.) The vehicle is being repaired at a body shop. Damage was to front and underside. There were no prior warnings or symptoms.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 was nearly 10 feet beyond the poles (as evidenced by disturbed grass in the photos). Stopped stuck on hard debris, irregular terrain, and dead tree logs. In other circumstances, this could have had grave consequences to others or the driver. We're not sure we can trust this vehicle not to do this again. Not checked with a dealer. (All manufacturers blame drivers for sudden unintended acceleration.) The vehicle is being repaired at a body shop. Damage was to front and underside. There were no prior warnings or symptoms.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Solterra 2023 bought Dec 23, 2022 Report: 1. 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. Approaching a row of trees within 2 feet, the Solterra lurched forward, mowed down 2 trees and accelerated while owner's foot was on brake; owner yelled at passenger" NO BRAKES!!" Car accelerated onto backyard, passed a children's swing set, kept going onto the grass. Finally,car stopped by itself within several feet of the fence which faces busy Jericho Turnpike road. 3. Date & Time: 4/14/2025 about 1:30 PM. Owner's Doubt: If the brake system is hydraulic, then pressing brake pedal would stop vehicle; Malfunction: Regenerative Brake System generated acceleration instead of braking ! Recall Service Appt. with Dealer on April 27, 2025: Subaru WRG 231, WRG 241 and repairing front. Done: NHTSA Recall ID 23V-064, February 2023 = Subaru WRE-23. Experience once before: A few seconds of no braking during crawling traffic jam, about a year ago. Vehicle is available for inspection at owner's driveway.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

Solterra 2023 bought Dec 23, 2022 Report: 1. 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. Approaching a row of trees within 2 feet, the Solterra lurched forward, mowed down 2 trees and accelerated while owner's foot was on brake; owner yelled at passenger" NO BRAKES!!" Car accelerated onto backyard, passed a children's swing set, kept going onto the grass. Finally,car stopped by itself within several feet of the fence which faces busy Jericho Turnpike road. 3. Date & Time: 4/14/2025 about 1:30 PM. Owner's Doubt: If the brake system is hydraulic, then pressing brake pedal would stop vehicle; Malfunction: Regenerative Brake System generated acceleration instead of braking ! Recall Service Appt. with Dealer on April 27, 2025: Subaru WRG 231, WRG 241 and repairing front. Done: NHTSA Recall ID 23V-064, February 2023 = Subaru WRE-23. Experience once before: A few seconds of no braking during crawling traffic jam, about a year ago. Vehicle is available for inspection at owner's driveway.

SERVICE BRAKES

Solterra 2023 bought Dec 23, 2022 Report: 1. 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. Approaching a row of trees within 2 feet, the Solterra lurched forward, mowed down 2 trees and accelerated while owner's foot was on brake; owner yelled at passenger" NO BRAKES!!" Car accelerated onto backyard, passed a children's swing set, kept going onto the grass. Finally,car stopped by itself within several feet of the fence which faces busy Jericho Turnpike road. 3. Date & Time: 4/14/2025 about 1:30 PM. Owner's Doubt: If the brake system is hydraulic, then pressing brake pedal would stop vehicle; Malfunction: Regenerative Brake System generated acceleration instead of braking ! Recall Service Appt. with Dealer on April 27, 2025: Subaru WRG 231, WRG 241 and repairing front. Done: NHTSA Recall ID 23V-064, February 2023 = Subaru WRE-23. Experience once before: A few seconds of no braking during crawling traffic jam, about a year ago. Vehicle is available for inspection at owner's driveway.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

My Subaru Solterra EV was parked in the driveway of an Airbnb in Virginia. We were about to depart to return home. Vehicle was turned on and driver commenced to back out of the driveway, however rear safety warning activated as car neared a bush. Driver stopped vehicle, then placed in Drive in order to pull forward a few feet to negotiate putting the car in reverse to leave the driveway. 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? I shiver when I think what might have happened if a person had been standing in front of the car. The car is now being repaired by a shop selected by my insurance company. Once completed it needs to be thoroughly tested to determine if this could be an ongoing problem. I theorize a software glitch my be responsible.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My Subaru Solterra EV was parked in the driveway of an Airbnb in Virginia. We were about to depart to return home. Vehicle was turned on and driver commenced to back out of the driveway, however rear safety warning activated as car neared a bush. Driver stopped vehicle, then placed in Drive in order to pull forward a few feet to negotiate putting the car in reverse to leave the driveway. 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? I shiver when I think what might have happened if a person had been standing in front of the car. The car is now being repaired by a shop selected by my insurance company. Once completed it needs to be thoroughly tested to determine if this could be an ongoing problem. I theorize a software glitch my be responsible.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Solterra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the heating system became inoperable. The contact stated that the heating system failed to function properly and was blowing out cold air instead of heat. 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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A/C Air compressor failure resulting in no heat. Report as very common problem on internet but no recall or other fix. $3000 repair in a car approximately 2 years old.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Driving vehicle during rain storm at 10mph through standing water approximately 1 foot depth while exiting freeway in San Francisco caused front bumper components to loosen/crack, front fender liners to tear off, thereby exposing the electrical components of the battery drive unit and electricals under the front hood, including high voltage cables to be exposed to water intrusion. We can see the bright orange high voltage cables through the wheel well, along with electrical wires that appear to be grounds! Safety concern of exposing electrical high voltage system to water if driver was not aware that fender liners detached while driving. We are concerned this may pose potential risk of electrical malfunction as car is driven on wet roads due to water intrusion, reaching sensitive parts, potentially causing sudden electrical or mechanical issues and affecting vehicle safety, causing sudden malfunction given electric vehicle. Other similar reports in bz4x and Solterra - similar models badged by Toyota/Subaru partnership: Google search of "bz4x fender liners damage" [XXX] [XXX] We stopped driving due to front bumper damage, concerns with the electrical system exposed, fender liner hanging off and in contact with tire, filed insurance claim and completed repairs. The fender liner appears to be made of a very soft pliable composition with questionable integrity which may contribute to liner ripping off attachment points. The charging port door also opened AFTER driving through the standing water causing warning light to come on. Video of damage morning after incident: [XXX] Toyota specifications on wading depth: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)