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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2023 Subaru Solterra Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
14%of 42 total for the year
Median mileage
15,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Subaru Solterra, 14% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 of this issue?”

NHTSA complaint #11735160, filed 2026-05

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11659610, filed 2025-05

“I must express my disappointment and concern regarding the actual range performance of the ELECTRIC vehicle 2023 Subaru Solterra. Subaru claims that the Solterra has a range of 228 miles, but I am consistently getting only around 160 miles. This significant discrepancy suggests that Subaru may have falsified the range information, misleading customers about the vehicle's capabilities. Moreover, it is highly frustrating that customers like myself are left at the mercy of retailers who lack the necessary knowledge to properly service Subaru EVs. …”

NHTSA complaint #11631223, filed 2024-12

“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. The battery was replaced twice. …”

NHTSA complaint #11726521, filed 2026-03, 15,000 miles

“Rear differential has intermittent grinding noise that was confirmed by dealership. Eventually the differential will fail which will cause the car to stop unexpectedly.”

NHTSA complaint #11699626, filed 2025-11

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202417%
2023614%

Other parts of the 2023 Subaru Solterra

Electrical system
16 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Subaru Solterra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology