Nice wheels, bad assembly…
Subaru of America today announced a safety recall on 2023 Subaru Solterra vehicles. The safety defect affects 1182 model year 2023 Subaru Solterra models that were made by Toyota, which also recalled sibling bZ4X models last June.
These Subaru vehicles were part of that earlier recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V444000) requiring the replacement of original hub bolts so the wheels didn’t fall off. Do not drive a Solterra until the inspection and repair is completed. (autoinformed.com on: Toyota Subaru JV Spawns Global Debut of Solterra EV; Subaru 2023 Solterra Electric SUV Starts at $46,220)
Subaru said it has identified a problem with vehicles repaired at two un-named port locations by one particular team of contractors, also un-named. The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued hub bolts. Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected.
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the hub bolts and, if necessary, re-torque to the specification at no cost to the customer as required by federal regulations. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle and to contact their retailer to have the vehicle towed for inspection. Towing will be offered at no cost to the customer.
Vehicle owners will be contacted by mail. To find out if a vehicle is affected, please go to subaru.com/recalls. Vehicle owners can also visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number for more information on this recall. Alternatively, call the Vehicle Safety Hotline 888-327-4236, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; Hearing Impaired (TTY): 800-424-9153.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Subaru Recalls the Solterra EV Recall for Wheels Falling Off
Nice wheels, bad assembly…
Subaru of America today announced a safety recall on 2023 Subaru Solterra vehicles. The safety defect affects 1182 model year 2023 Subaru Solterra models that were made by Toyota, which also recalled sibling bZ4X models last June.
These Subaru vehicles were part of that earlier recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V444000) requiring the replacement of original hub bolts so the wheels didn’t fall off. Do not drive a Solterra until the inspection and repair is completed. (autoinformed.com on: Toyota Subaru JV Spawns Global Debut of Solterra EV; Subaru 2023 Solterra Electric SUV Starts at $46,220)
Subaru said it has identified a problem with vehicles repaired at two un-named port locations by one particular team of contractors, also un-named. The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued hub bolts. Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected.
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the hub bolts and, if necessary, re-torque to the specification at no cost to the customer as required by federal regulations. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle and to contact their retailer to have the vehicle towed for inspection. Towing will be offered at no cost to the customer.
Vehicle owners will be contacted by mail. To find out if a vehicle is affected, please go to subaru.com/recalls. Vehicle owners can also visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number for more information on this recall. Alternatively, call the Vehicle Safety Hotline 888-327-4236, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; Hearing Impaired (TTY): 800-424-9153.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.