Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has issued a recall for its 2023 Subaru Solterra to inspect and tighten the hub bolts to prevent the wheel from falling off. Subaru has advised owners to not drive their vehicle until the inspection and repair has been made. Subaru dealers will be providing this remedy service free of charge.

What is Causing the Wheel Hub Bolt Issue?

The issue originated from a contractor team not properly completing the repair procedure when the vehicles were parked at a facility for repair. The original hub bolts were innately likely to become loose under certain vehicle use. The team’s job was to replace and tighten the hub bolts before the vehicles were sent to retailers. However, because of the incomplete job, the risk of the bolts being loosened has not been remediated.

What Are The Warning Signs of the Hub Bolt Coming Off?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that there may be a rattling, popping, or knocking noise that may be heard while driving. If you are driving a 2023 Subaru Solterra and hear any of these noises, you should immediately stop driving and contact the nearest Subaru to get it towed and repaired (if needed) for free.

Which Vehicles Are Affected By The Hub Bolt Recall?

The following vehicle is affected by the hub bolt recall:

• 2023 Subaru Solterra (manufactured between March 30, 2022 – June 4, 2022)

Owners of this vehicle can expect to receive a notification from Subaru starting March 1, 2023.

Which Subaru Vehicles Are Being Recalled In 2023?

Subaru has recalled certain 2023 Subaru Ascent, 2023 Subaru Impreza, 2023 Subaru Legacy, and 2023 Subaru Outback for various issues with the front end of the driveshaft separating, the brake light malfunctioning, and the transmission shifting out of the “Park” position without the brake pedal being pressed.

Here are some of the recalls in more detail:

• In September 2023, Subaru recalled over 4,300 vehicles due to the center support bolts for the driveshaft becoming loose. This can lead to the front end of the driveshaft separating, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affected the 2023 Subaru Ascent, 2023 Subaru Impreza, 2023 Subaru Legacy, and 2023 Subaru Outback.
• In April 2023, Subaru recalled over 4,000 vehicles due to the brake light switch being improperly adjusted. This can lead to the brake lights illuminating without the brake pedal being applied, increasing the risk of a crash. The vehicle also allowed drivers to start and shift the transmission out of the “Park” position without pressing the brake pedal, also increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affected the 2023 Subaru Impreza.

If you own a Subaru vehicle, look up your vehicle’s VIN or model on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website for any open recalls.

Tips on What To Do If Your Subaru Is Having Problems

Here are some tips for when your Subaru vehicle is having problems:

• Review the owner’s manual – The manual that comes with your Subaru contains troubleshooting guidance and details on your vehicle’s systems. Reading through the relevant sections can help you understand any problems and potentially resolve minor issues yourself.
• Check warning lights – Pay attention to your dashboard lights. Illuminated engines, batteries, or other warning lights signal that certain Subaru systems need professional diagnosis and servicing. Don’t ignore these warnings.
• Visit a Subaru dealer – Subaru technicians at authorized dealers have specialized training and tools to properly diagnose and fix issues with your vehicle. They should be your first stop when problems arise.
• Describe symptoms in detail – When bringing your Subaru in, explain symptoms thoroughly like when noises, leaks, or other problems occur. Detail any recent changes you notice. This helps pinpoint causes.
• Ask about warranty coverage – If your Subaru is still under factory warranty or you purchased an extended warranty, ask the dealer if the repair may be covered. This could save you money.
• Consider a second opinion – For major repairs, consider getting a second Subaru dealer to diagnose the issue and provide estimates. Comparing quotes and opinions helps make informed decisions.
• Save service records – Keep all invoices and documentation related to repairs performed. This provides documentation in case any issues later need to be rechecked.
• Report serious issues – Notify Subaru directly about dangerous defects, serious damage, or safety concerns that occur. This creates a paper trail and could lead to recalls.

Following these tips can help troubleshoot problems, protect your rights as an owner, and keep your Subaru running smoothly. Addressing issues promptly prevents small problems from turning into major repairs down the road. If your vehicle still has problems even after taking it in for repairs, it may be time to get an attorney’s help.

How Can An Attorney Help If My Car Is Having Problems?

An attorney can help in several different ways if you are having issues with your vehicle.

If your vehicle is having issues because of something that the dealer lied about or didn’t tell you about, an auto fraud attorney can help by:

• getting you your money back
• returning your car to the dealer and getting you out of your contract
• making the dealer pay for repairs and pre-existing damage while you keep your car

If you recently purchased your car and it keeps having problems despite taking it in for repairs multiple times, a lemon law attorney can help by:

• getting you a lemon law buyback
• getting you a replacement vehicle of similar model and value
• getting a cash and keep settlement

In general, having an attorney by your side is helpful because they know the ins and outs of the laws surrounding the issue with your vehicle. By using this knowledge, the attorney can apply the right legal pressure against the dealer or manufacturer to get you the remedy that you deserve under the law.

However, don’t expect to get a million dollars from your case if your damages are not a million dollars – keep a realistic number in mind. While it is unfortunate to go through an auto fraud or lemon problem, the law will, almost always, only allow you to recover up to an amount in damages that you incurred.

Our Lemon Law Attorney Can Help With Your Subaru Lemon

If you own a Subaru vehicle and it has mechanical defects that persist even after taking it in for repairs, it is time to contact our lemon law attorneys. We practice the specifics of the California Lemon Law to help car buyers who are going through this.

Our office offers a free evaluation of your case, meaning that when you call us, we’ll go over your vehicle situation together and let you know if we are able to help you. Our team is all in-house, meaning that you will be talking to a real person in our office, not someone from a call center. We choose not to do a live call center because it will be much harder to get you real help in real-time.