Subaru to Solterra EV Drivers: Stop Driving
» Posted May 17, 2023 • Resources | Share This Post
Subaru (and the people who drive its cars) has another serious safety problem on its hands.
The automaker is recalling some 1,200 vehicles over a defect that could cause wheels to come off unexpectedly. It is also telling owners of those vehicles not to drive them again until the problem is fixed.
“After low-mileage use, all of the hub bolts on a wheel can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle,” Subaru said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.”
The new recall covers certain 2023 Solterra sport utility vehicles, the company’s first all-electric car. Some of the vehicles were already supposed to have been fixed following a similar recall last year. That recall also covered Toyota bZ4X EVs, which the automaker developed with Subaru.
“The two automakers developed a repair remedy that involved updating the wheels and replacing the hub bolts with a new hub-bolt-with-washer design,” Sebastian Blanco reports for Car and Driver. “That's usually the end of the story as far as recalls go. But late last week, Subaru announced that the repair work on some of the Solterras hadn't been completed correctly.”
Subaru wants owners of recalled cars to contact a local dealer to have the vehicles towed so that they can be inspected and repaired. The company is warning owners not to drive the cars until they are repaired. Subaru said it will foot the bill for towing and repairs.
Other Subaru Recalls
This, unfortunately, is familiar territory for Subaru.
The company recently announced that it is recalling more than 8,000 Crosstrek Hybrid SUVs. A wiring harness connected to the 12-volt battery can rust and break, causing the cars to lose power unexpectedly, the auto manufacturer said in a NHTSA notice.
Earlier this year, Subaru recalled some 270,000 Ascent SUVs over fire risks. The company said at the time that poorly tightened bolts in the vehicles may cause components to melt and spark fires.
How the California Lemon Law Works
Many car owners and lessors in California do not have to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed. You have some important rights under the state’s lemon law.
The California lemon law requires GM and other car manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix.
Speak with a Lemon Law Attorney
If you are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help.
We have successfully assisted car owners across the state. Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer at our firm today.
