What 25 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Solterra Bev

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.

NHTSA ODI 11655928

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.

NHTSA ODI 11646679

We hit a stationary deer at night. Afterwards, we found an open recall: WRG23-1: Forward recognition camera reprogramming 2023 Subaru Solterra, but Subaru refused to investigate as they claim animals (suddenly appearing) are a carve out on their liability. However, the deer wasn't leaping, it was already frozen in the road. The headlights only illuminated its knees, too late for the driver to stop before impact. It could have just as easily been a person, or other heavy road debris. The incident was on a dark highway bypass, with slight left curve, so poor headlights hampered the driver & automatic systems from stopping in time. The headlights angle down (tilts & dims from brights automatically for oncoming cars) instead of illuminating the road properly, neither the driver nor the braking system can detect an object. The regular lights have an abnormally short distance. Only the brights setting illuminates a sufficient braking distance, & those can't be used with oncoming traffic. The headlights have a hard limit on the top, instead of 2 circles of light. The driver, also an engineer, said that the camera needs a certain level of lighting to detect objects, & they probably didn't test these systems together on a dark country road. Normal illumination could have prevented or lessened the damage/danger, swivel headlights would have been best. A driver needs a certain distance illuminated for braking distance at speed, unless the camera is radar or infrared: it needs light too. The front 1/3 of the car was peeled off, causing over $15k in damages. Several body panels ripped off, the wiring harness was ripped out. There were no warnings before the impact. No automatic braking occured. No airbags were deployed. There is a police report. Road was dark, clear and dry. The driver was sober, attentive and going the speed limit. A camera reprogramming without a headlight fix will not solve this safety issue, & we told Subaru as much. This situation may apply to Toyota.

NHTSA ODI 11561166

Subaru Solterra - Sudden unexpected acceleration with no ability to brake or steer. Message appeared "System Malfunction" Crashed into woods; small trees slowed and stopped car; airbags did not deploy. no injuries but great risk if car had headed to nearby highway instead of trees. car now at dealer undergoing inspection by Subaru.Police report made; copy not yet available. Michigan State Police report 75-2169-23

NHTSA ODI 11538316