NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 18 owner complaints for the 2026 Subaru Solterra. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and exterior lighting (3). The EPA rates it 117–120 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“My 2026 Subaru Solterra displays a 12V "Low Battery, Turn Power OFF" warning during DC fast charging, remote preconditioning/app-based remote start, and accessory mode. The underlying failed component or cause is UNKNOWN. I do not know whether this reflects an actual battery problem or an incorrect warning. The warnings did not occur during fast charging or preconditioning when I purchased the vehicle. They began immediately after a recall software update in July 2026. This is the sequence I observed, not an established cause. During dealer service October 15-20, 2026, the repair order recorded my app-start and accessory-mode complaints and software reprogramming. It states: "LOW BATTERY WARNING STILL PRESENT AFTER UPDATE ADVISED CUSTOMER VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME." It does not identify which condition produced the warning after the update. The dealer told me it could not test DC fast charging. It also told me Subaru Techline acknowledged the issue but could not find a 12V fault or provide a solution. Subaru's explanation to me addressed accessory-mode battery drain, not the warnings during fast charging or preconditioning. The safety…”
“When driving at night over most roads, a slight bump will cause the headlights to jitter appearing to turn-off momentarily. This is a re-occurring incident”
“A1. 12 v Battery fail. A2 . Unable to use the car at 9:30 pm when I discovered it my safety was in risk not car to use, Subaru assistance never shows up calling them for two days. Dealer have to town truck the car A3.Dealer found the battery dead recharge the battery but not solution from the drain yet. A4. Yes vehicle inspected for the dealer A5. No no indication of the drainage before happening”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solterra AWD Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | 131 | 109 | 120 | $650 | — |
| Solterra 20 AWD Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | 128 | 105 | 117 | $650 | — |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | 6,000–8,000 mi | 6–12 months | EVs wear tires faster (weight, torque) |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–4 years | Regen braking spares the pads, not the fluid |
| Battery coolant | Per manual | Per manual | Intervals vary widely by maker |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years |
1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), exterior lighting (3), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Subaru Solterra at 117–120 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Subaru Solterra 5 out of 5 stars overall.