2026 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated July 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026 Subaru Solterra has 8 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. Across all issues, repair costs range from $ to $1,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), the recessed charge-port door on the Solterra collects rainwater and car-wash water in its cup-shaped pocket; in freezing temperatures the door freezes shut or the internal latch plunger/actuator sticks, preventing charging. Owners also report the opposite failure - a persistent 'charging port lid is open' warning and the flap not locking - as well as the connector failing to release from the port. Because it directly blocks charging in exactly the cold conditions where range is already short, it generates high owner-forum demand.
In freezing weather, warm the area or pour warm (not hot) water to thaw, then work the small internal plunger (press/rotate 90 degrees) to free the latch. For a stuck connector or 'won't release,' use the manual charge-connector release pull tab located under the hood (top-right corner facing the windshield). If the door will not lock/latch or the actuator is unresponsive, the dealer tests the port actuator motor and wiring harness for continuity and replaces the faulty lock assembly under warranty. Preventive tip owners share: dry the port pocket before parking in the cold.
The exact parts — OEM, plus what owners actually use. Skip the internet hunt.
Verified genuine Subaru part (7705042020, listed as 'Lock' for 2023-2024 Solterra). This is the small internal charge-port lock/actuator that owners press/rotate to free and that the dealer replaces when the latch actuator fails. Listings note it is 'included with the door assembly,' so if the actua
Verified: Toyota/Subaru 'BOX ASSY, CHARGE INL' 773B0-42020, fits 2023-2025 bZ4X / 2023-2024 Solterra (twins). MSRP $638.05, typical dealer sale ~$427.70. This complete charge-port door unit carries the lock actuator (7705042020), so it is the whole-assembly warranty replacement when the actuator mot
Verified genuine Toyota/Subaru charge-inlet lid 773D0-42010, fits 2023-2025 bZ4X / 2023-2024 Solterra. MSRP $126.56, dealer sale ~$88-95. This is the outer flap itself; replaced if the frozen/stuck lid is cracked or warped rather than just needing thawing.
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On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), owners frequently report wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth failing to connect or dropping out. A common, repeatable pattern is CarPlay refusing to auto-reconnect after a remote start / remote climate session; other owners see spotty Bluetooth that blocks calls and audio with no consistent trigger. This is distinct from the full head-unit reboot/black-screen issue - here the infotainment is running but the phone-projection/Bluetooth link fails. Subaru has issued StarLink head-unit software updates, but many owners report only partial improvement.
Common owner fixes: press and hold the multimedia power button ~5 seconds to reset the head unit; after a remote start, turn off phone Wi-Fi and restart the radio to force a reconnect; delete the phone from the car's Bluetooth list and re-pair; keep the head-unit software updated. Persistent cases warrant a dealer StarLink/multimedia software reflash under warranty; a small number required head-unit replacement.
On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), the Solterra Connect / MySubaru app is a persistent pain point: owners report the Remote Climate page failing to open (it flashes then reverts to the previous screen), scheduled preconditioning not firing, charge/state-of-charge status not updating without manual refresh, frequent crashes, constant permission re-prompts, and heavy background battery drain on the phone. Because remote preconditioning is the main mitigation for the car's weak cold-weather heat and range, an app that will not reliably start it is a widely reported, high-search issue.
Owner-level fixes: delete and reinstall the app, sign out/in, grant all requested permissions, and confirm the vehicle's data/subscription (Subaru/Solterra Connect) is active. Force-refresh the app for current SoC rather than trusting the cached value. Subaru has pushed app and telematics (DCM) updates over time; persistent remote-climate failures should be logged with Subaru Customer Care and the dealer, who can re-provision the telematics module. No hardware cost in most cases.
On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), the Solterra (EPA-rated ~222-228 miles depending on trim/year) delivers well below its advertised range in sustained highway and cold-weather use. Owners report ~180-210 miles of real highway range at 70-75 mph in mild weather, dropping to roughly 130-150 usable miles in cold winter conditions (20-30 percent-plus loss). Contributing factors: the guess-o-meter overestimates when the car is new and recalibrates downward, the battery lacks efficient preconditioning, and the cabin heater draws 3-5 kW continuously in the cold. European (Norwegian and Danish) independent tests also measured range well under the WLTP figure. This is the single most common non-charging owner frustration and drives heavy search demand around road-trip planning.
There is no repair; it is a design/efficiency characteristic. Owners mitigate by driving 65 mph or below on highways, using seat/steering-wheel heaters instead of cabin heat, precondition the cabin while plugged in, keep tire pressures at spec, and plan winter road trips assuming ~60 percent of the sticker range with extra charge stops. Later model years (2024+) added a battery-warming heat pump that modestly improves cold-weather charging and efficiency.
On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), solterra owners in cold climates report the cabin heating is slow to warm up and often blows cool air from the vents while driving in freezing temperatures. The 2023 model relies on a high-draw (7 kW-plus) resistance heater that hammers range; 2024+ added a heat pump primarily to warm the battery, but owners still describe the cabin heat pump as undersized or slow. Dealers commonly tell owners the slow heating is 'normal operation.' A subset of cases involve a genuine fault - a stuck heat-pump expansion valve or A/C-compressor problem - producing no heat at all. This heavily impacts winter usability and drives the cold-weather range complaints.
Precondition the cabin while plugged in so the pack, not the battery, powers initial heat; use seat and steering-wheel heaters as the primary heat source to save range. If the vents blow cold and never warm (as opposed to just slow), have the dealer diagnose the heat-pump/electric compressor circuit - stuck valves or a failed electric A/C compressor are covered under warranty (and a separate recall covers a compressor fault that disables the defroster). Keep HVAC software updated.
The exact parts — OEM, plus what owners actually use. Skip the internet hunt.
Confirmed OEM electric A/C compressor for 2023-2024 Subaru Solterra (Subaru PN 8837042051). This is the physical warranty part the dealer inspects/replaces under recall WRD-25 when the vents blow cold from a failed electrical compressor. New OEM runs ~$1,050-$1,600 MSRP; used units ~$650. It is a hi
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On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), owners and reviewers describe the Solterra's ride as firm or 'busy' over broken pavement, most pronounced on Limited/Touring trims with the larger 20-inch wheels and lower-profile tires. Because there is no engine noise to mask it, tire roar and road noise are more prominent than owners expect for the class, and it is a common comfort complaint on longer drives. Not a defect, but a frequently searched ownership drawback.
No repair. Owners reduce harshness/noise by running tire pressures at (not above) the door-jamb spec, fitting quieter touring or all-season tires at replacement, and adding cabin/trunk sound-deadening. Buyers sensitive to ride quality often prefer the 18-inch Premium wheel/tire setup, which rides softer than the 20-inch trims.
The exact parts — OEM, plus what owners actually use. Skip the internet hunt.
Factory 20-inch fitment for Limited/Touring is 235/50R20; these trims are the ones owners cite for the firm/busy ride and tire roar. Number shown (55754) is Michelin's tire MPN for the CrossClimate2 in this size (a widely recommended quiet touring EV-friendly replacement), not a Subaru OEM PN — tire
Factory 18-inch fitment for the Premium trim is 235/60R18 (taller sidewall = softer ride owners prefer). 15707 is Michelin's tire MPN for the CrossClimate2 in this size, not a Subaru OEM PN. Price per tire. Note: original-equipment 18-inch tire on the Solterra is a Bridgestone Alenza; the CrossClima
Aftermarket NVH upgrade named in the fix — applied to floor pan, wheel wells, door cards and cargo/trunk area to cut road roar (more noticeable in an EV with no engine masking). 10455 is Dynamat's SKU for the Xtreme Bulk Pack (36 sq ft, ~$240); budget butyl mats (Noico/Kilmat) give similar area for
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On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), separate from the pre-collision phantom-braking complaints, owners report the EyeSight lane-centering/lane-keep assist wandering or 'ping-ponging' back and forth between lane markers, especially on faded or poorly painted roads and in construction zones. The system can hug one line, correct hard toward the other, and repeat, undermining confidence in the highway-assist feature that is a core selling point.
Keep the windshield/camera area clean and the software updated; recalibration or a camera aim check at the dealer can help if the wander is severe. Owners often disable lane-centering (while keeping lane-departure warning) on poorly marked roads. Report persistent behavior to the dealer so it can be logged against any EyeSight software update.
On the 2023-2026 Subaru Solterra Dual Motor AWD (electric), new-owner reports of cabin squeaks and rattles are common, most notably from the plastic surround holding the overhead map lights and SOS button, vibrating exterior door mirrors, and trim around the front-passenger and driver rear doors. The silent EV powertrain makes these plastic buzzes far more audible than they would be in a gas car. Severity varies unit-to-unit (some owners report none), pointing to build/assembly consistency.
Owner fixes include seating/reclipping the overhead-console trim, adding felt or foam anti-squeak tape between panels, and checking door-mirror mounting. Dealers address persistent rattles under warranty by re-securing or replacing loose trim clips; document the source (video/audio) to speed diagnosis.
The exact parts — OEM, plus what owners actually use. Skip the internet hunt.
Primary DIY fix material for all three rattle sources in the report (console surround, door trim, mirror). Generic automotive consumable — no single canonical OEM PN. Wool/viscose felt or PVC foam with acrylic adhesive; cut strips and place at panel contact points. Confident this is the correct/real
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra battery electric vehicles. The electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the high voltage battery may experience a fault, resulting in a loss of drive power.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026-2026 Subaru Solterra has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Charge Port Door Freezes, Sticks, or Fails to Lock/Release, Real-World Highway and Winter Range Falls Far Short of EPA Rating, Wireless Apple CarPlay / Bluetooth Drops Out (Especially After Remote Start). None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
The 2026-2026 Subaru Solterra has 8 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Subaru Solterra issues range from $0 to $1,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The recessed charge-port door on the Solterra collects rainwater and car-wash water in its cup-shaped pocket; in freezing temperatures the door freezes shut or the internal latch plunger/actuator sticks, preventing charging. Owners also report the opposite failure - a persistent… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.
The Solterra (EPA-rated ~222-228 miles depending on trim/year) delivers well below its advertised range in sustained highway and cold-weather use. Owners report ~180-210 miles of real highway range at 70-75 mph in mild weather, dropping to roughly 130-150 usable miles in cold win… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Owners frequently report wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth failing to connect or dropping out. A common, repeatable pattern is CarPlay refusing to auto-reconnect after a remote start / remote climate session; other owners see spotty Bluetooth that blocks calls and audio with n… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: medium.
Solterra owners in cold climates report the cabin heating is slow to warm up and often blows cool air from the vents while driving in freezing temperatures. The 2023 model relies on a high-draw (7 kW-plus) resistance heater that hammers range; 2024+ added a heat pump primarily to… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The Solterra Connect / MySubaru app is a persistent pain point: owners report the Remote Climate page failing to open (it flashes then reverts to the previous screen), scheduled preconditioning not firing, charge/state-of-charge status not updating without manual refresh, frequen… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Owners and reviewers describe the Solterra's ride as firm or 'busy' over broken pavement, most pronounced on Limited/Touring trims with the larger 20-inch wheels and lower-profile tires. Because there is no engine noise to mask it, tire roar and road noise are more prominent than… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: low.
Separate from the pre-collision phantom-braking complaints, owners report the EyeSight lane-centering/lane-keep assist wandering or 'ping-ponging' back and forth between lane markers, especially on faded or poorly painted roads and in construction zones. The system can hug one li… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: low.
New-owner reports of cabin squeaks and rattles are common, most notably from the plastic surround holding the overhead map lights and SOS button, vibrating exterior door mirrors, and trim around the front-passenger and driver rear doors. The silent EV powertrain makes these plast… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
