If you’re looking at a 2024 Subaru Solterra, especially on the used market, you’re probably trying to reconcile two ideas: Subaru’s reputation for durability, and the reality that the Solterra is a first-generation EV co-developed with Toyota’s bZ4X. Reliability-wise, it sits right in that tension: not a disaster, not a tank, but a promising electric crossover with some very real warts.
Big picture on Solterra reliability
2024 Subaru Solterra reliability at a glance
How reliable is the 2024 Subaru Solterra overall?
Start with the brand context: Subaru as a whole currently sits at or near the top of Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings, but the Solterra is the outlier, it’s Subaru’s lowest-ranked model and the only one with below-average predicted reliability. That doesn’t make it a grenade waiting to go off; it does mean you can’t just lean on the old "Subarus run forever" mythology and call it a day.
Owner sentiment is mixed but not dire. On Kelley Blue Book, early 2024 Solterra owners average about **3.9 stars overall, 4.0 for reliability, and 60% would buy again**, a split verdict that usually means the car itself is lovable, but the ownership experience has friction. Read the comments and you see a pattern: people adore the quiet, planted ride and Subaru-ish practicality; they’re less charmed by range for the price, the app, and a few quality gremlins.
Platform growing pains
Common 2024 Solterra problems owners report
Most common 2024 Solterra reliability complaints
What you’re most likely to hear about from real owners
1. 12V battery failures
- Car completely unresponsive after sitting 1–2 days
- Dash dark, no ability to shift or power on
- Battery replaced under warranty, only to fail again
As of late 2025, there’s no dedicated recall or universal fix; dealers often just swap the 12V battery and send you on your way.
2. HVAC / defroster issues
Left unaddressed, that’s a visibility and safety issue. The fix is a software update, free at the dealer.
3. Noises & vibration
These issues are often brushed off as "normal for the model," which is not what you want to hear when you’ve just bought a new EV.
4. Software and app frustrations
The dedicated Solterra app has become something of an anti-hero in owner forums: slow to update charge status, buggy sign-in, unreliable digital key setup. Many owners report that once it’s working, they refuse to touch the settings for fear of breaking it again.
This doesn’t strand you, but it does undercut the EV experience compared with the polished apps from Tesla, Hyundai, or Ford.
5. Charging speed expectations vs reality
On paper the 2024 Solterra’s DC fast charge peak of around 100 kW is merely "okay" in a world where rivals are hitting 150–250 kW. In practice, many owners see lower sustained rates, especially in cold weather or when arriving with a warm pack.
This is less a defect than a design reality: you’ll road-trip in a Solterra, but you’ll sit at the charger longer than someone in a Kia EV6 or Tesla Model Y.
How to separate normal from concerning
Battery health and range longevity
Here’s the good news: the **high-voltage traction battery**, the big one that actually moves the car, looks solid so far. Subaru backs it with **8 years / 100,000 miles** of coverage, and dealers note a target of at least **70% capacity retention** over that window when the pack is used and charged appropriately.
The 2024 Solterra’s EPA range is in the low 220s for most trims, and independent highway testing has tended to show more modest real-world numbers at 70 mph. That’s not a reliability problem so much as a design compromise: Toyota/Subaru chose a conservative pack and thermal strategy over headline-grabbing range. If you treat it gently, avoiding daily 100% charges and abuse-level fast-charging, the long-term degradation curve should be unremarkable.
- Use a **Level 2 home charger** and keep daily charge limits at 80–90% for routine commuting.
- Reserve 100% charges for trips where you truly need the full range.
- Avoid letting the vehicle sit at 0–5% for extended periods; aim to keep it between **20–80%** in normal use.
- In very hot or cold climates, expect slightly faster degradation and plan your range expectations accordingly.
High-voltage vs 12V: two different stories
Recalls and service campaigns you should know about
Key 2023–2025 Solterra recalls affecting 2024 models
Always run a VIN check with Subaru or NHTSA before you buy used.
| Issue | Model years affected | Risk | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC / defroster software | 2023–2025 | Defroster may not clear windshield, especially in cold weather, reducing visibility. | Dealer software update for HVAC control unit; possible compressor replacement in some cases. |
| (Earlier) wheel hub / bolt concerns* | Primarily 2023 | Wheels could loosen over time (mostly addressed before broad 2024 deliveries). | Inspection and torque/hub replacement on affected early-build vehicles. |
| Misc. software updates | Ongoing | Charging logic, infotainment, and driver-assistance behavior refinements. | Dealer-performed reflash during routine service visits. |
These are the headline issues; dealers may also have smaller service bulletins on file.
How to check recall status
Software and tech: apps, infotainment and quirks
If Tesla is the iPhone of EVs, the Solterra is something like a sturdy Android phone from three years ago running a carrier-skinned OS. It does the job, but nobody is waxing poetic about the software. The **Solterra smartphone app** in particular draws consistent fire: slow, sometimes fails to recognize biometrics or even your login, clunky charging-status refreshes, and fragile digital key setup that can break the whole experience if you poke it wrong.
Inside the cabin, the 12.3-inch central display is functional and reasonably responsive, but the **instrument cluster’s far-forward placement** and the lack of a traditional glovebox or rear wiper are love-it-or-loathe-it decisions. None of this directly affects reliability; it does, however, shape how forgiving you’ll be when something rattles or a sensor throws a false positive.
Practical tech advice
How the Solterra compares to other EVs on reliability
2024 Solterra vs rival EVs: reliability perspective
Where Subaru’s first EV fits in the pack
Versus Tesla Model Y
Versus Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Kia EV6
Versus Toyota bZ4X
Reliability strengths
- Conservative, shared Toyota/Subaru EV platform rather than bleeding-edge experiment.
- High-voltage battery has strong warranty and no widespread degradation horror stories yet.
- Subaru dealer network is familiar with traditional warranty processes and customer advocacy.
- Core mechanicals (motors, AWD hardware, body structure) have not generated systemic failure patterns.
Reliability weak spots
- Documented pattern of **12V battery failures** and no definitive factory fix to date.
- HVAC/defroster recall undercuts cold-weather confidence until verified fixed.
- Subaru’s own reliability surveys flag Solterra as **below the brand’s usual standard**.
- App and infotainment frustrations that, while not mechanical, wear down trust.
What to check if you’re buying a used 2024 Solterra
Used 2024 Solterra reliability checklist
1. Pull recall and service history
Ask for a full service printout from a Subaru dealer. Confirm the **HVAC/defroster recall** has been completed and look for repeated visits for "no start," battery replacement, or electrical gremlins.
2. Ask directly about 12V battery behavior
Has the car ever gone completely dead after sitting? How often has the 12V battery been replaced? A single early replacement isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker; a pattern is a red flag.
3. Inspect for noises and vibration
On a test drive, go over speed bumps and rough pavement. Listen for front-end clunks, rattles, or mirror vibration at highway speeds. A little thump is one thing; persistent, loud knocking or mirror shake that affects visibility deserves attention.
4. Test DC fast charging in real life
If possible, take the car to a DC fast charger. Verify it can initiate a session without drama and ramps up to a reasonable rate for its state of charge and temperature. An EV that won’t reliably fast-charge can turn every road trip into performance art.
5. Exercise all climate modes
Turn the HVAC to heat, then defrost, then A/C. Make sure air distribution and fan speeds behave normally. Fog or frost should clear quickly in defrost mode; if it doesn’t, ask whether the software update has actually been applied.
6. Evaluate software and app setup
Pair your phone, try CarPlay/Android Auto, and set up the Subaru app if the seller allows. You’re not just buying hardware; you’re buying into an ecosystem. Glacial pairing or non-functional remote features are leverage in price negotiations.
7. Get an independent EV inspection
If you’re not buying from an EV-focused retailer, consider an inspection by a shop familiar with electric drivetrains. At <strong>Recharged</strong>, every vehicle gets a <strong>Recharged Score Report</strong> with battery diagnostics and a drivability check, which can de-risk a first-gen model like the Solterra.
Ownership costs and warranty coverage
One bright spot in the Solterra story is that, like most EVs, it can be cheap to keep once you’re past any early-production bugs. There’s no oil to change, fewer moving parts in the drivetrain, and Subaru’s service intervals are gentler than on a turbocharged gas crossover.
2024 Subaru Solterra warranty snapshot
What’s covered, and for how long.
| Component | Coverage | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Basic bumper-to-bumper | 3 years / 36,000 miles | Covers most non-wear items: electronics, interior components, many sensors and modules. |
| Powertrain | 5 years / 60,000 miles | Covers core propulsion pieces like motors and related hardware. |
| High-voltage battery | 8 years / 100,000 miles | If the pack falls significantly below expected capacity or fails outright in this window, repairs or replacement are typically covered. |
| Corrosion | 5 years / unlimited miles (typical) | Rust-through protection on body and structure in normal conditions. |
Always verify exact terms with your local Subaru dealer; coverage can vary slightly by region.
Where a used Solterra can be a bargain
If you’re shopping used, buying through an EV-focused marketplace like Recharged can shortcut a lot of the homework. Our **Recharged Score Report** verifies battery health, highlights any trouble codes, benchmarks pricing against fair market value, and our specialists can walk you through Solterra-specific watchpoints before you ever sign anything or arrange delivery.
Is the 2024 Subaru Solterra a safe used bet?
Who the Solterra suits
If you’re a **Subaru loyalist** who wants to go electric, live in a region with decent CCS fast charging, and do most of your driving within 150–180 miles of home, the 2024 Solterra can be a satisfying companion. Ride quality, all-weather traction, and Subaru’s familiar ergonomics make it feel like a natural step for Outback and Forester owners.
In that lane, home charging, modest commute, occasional road trip with patience at chargers, its reliability profile is acceptable, provided the known issues have been addressed.
Who should be cautious
If you’re a **heavy road-tripper**, live in a harsh climate, or plan to leave the car parked for long stretches at airports or vacation homes, you’ll want extra assurance. The combination of modest range, slower charging, and ongoing 12V complaints is not ideal for the "set it and forget it" crowd.
Likewise, if you’re intolerant of software weirdness, and you’re cross-shopping Teslas or the latest Korean EVs, the Solterra’s tech stack is going to feel a generation behind.
Reliability is rarely a single yes/no verdict; it’s a risk profile. The **2024 Subaru Solterra** is not the indestructible cockroach some buyers hoped for, nor is it the lemon some forum threads portray. It’s a first-wave EV on a shared platform that has already seen one serious recall and a worrying chorus of 12V complaints, but also a vehicle whose main battery, motors, and structure have not become chronic failure points. If you can buy one with a clean history, fresh software, and a proven 12V setup, and if the price reflects its limitations, it can be a smart, left-field alternative to the usual suspects. Just don’t skip the homework.
