Subaru Solterra 2023-2026 Owner's Manual: If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds

If any warning indicator illuminates or a buzzer is activated in your Subaru Solterra, remain calm and take appropriate action. A warning light that briefly turns on and then goes off does not always indicate a malfunction. However, if the issue repeats or persists, it is recommended to have the Subaru Solterra inspected by an authorized SUBARU dealer.

Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers

■ Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

■ Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

■ Charging system warning light*

*: This warning appears on the Subaru Solterra multi-information display together with a detailed message.

■ SRS warning light (warning buzzer)

■ ABS warning light

■ Inappropriate pedal operation warning light* (warning buzzer)

*: This indicator appears on the Subaru Solterra display to notify the driver of incorrect pedal usage.

■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)

■ Traction battery charge warning light

■ Driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer*)

*: Driver's seat belt warning buzzer:

In the Subaru Solterra, the driver's seat belt warning buzzer activates when the seat belt is not fastened. After switching the power to ON, the alert will sound. If the belt remains unfastened, the buzzer will continue intermittently once the vehicle reaches a certain speed.

Front passenger's seat belt warning buzzer:

The Subaru Solterra also alerts the front passenger if the seat belt is not secured. The warning buzzer will sound intermittently after the vehicle begins moving.

■ Rear passengers' seat belt reminder lights (warning buzzer*)

*: Rear passengers' seat belt warning buzzer:

The Subaru Solterra rear seat system monitors seat belt usage and will trigger a buzzer if belts are unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The alert may continue intermittently depending on speed and belt usage status.

■ Tire pressure warning light

■ LDA indicator (warning buzzer)

■ LTA indicator (warning buzzer)

■ PDA indicator (warning buzzer)

■ Driving assist information indicator

■ SUBARU Parking Assist OFF indicator (warning buzzer)

The Subaru Solterra will display this indicator when the parking assist system is deactivated or unavailable. In some situations, a warning buzzer may also sound to notify the driver that assistance functions are limited.

Understanding these warning signals in your Subaru Solterra allows you to react promptly and maintain safety. Always pay close attention to dashboard alerts and consult a SUBARU dealer if any warning persists or appears repeatedly.

■ Cruise control indicator (warning buzzer)

■ Dynamic radar cruise control indicator (warning buzzer)

■ PCS warning light (warning buzzer)

■ Slip indicator

■ Parking brake indicator

■ Brake hold operated indicator

■ Warning buzzer

In the Subaru Solterra, certain alerts are accompanied by an audible warning buzzer. However, under noisy environmental conditions or when the audio system volume is high, the buzzer sound may be difficult to hear. Always rely on both visual indicators and audible signals when monitoring vehicle status.

■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer

• If luggage or objects are placed on the front passenger seat of the Subaru Solterra, the occupant detection system may interpret this as a passenger presence, causing the seat belt warning light to flash and the buzzer to sound even when the seat is unoccupied.
• If a cushion or soft item is placed on the seat, the detection system may fail to recognize an occupant correctly, and the warning system may not function as intended.

■ SRS warning light

The SRS warning light in the Subaru Solterra indicates potential issues with critical safety components, including:

• Airbag sensor assembly
• Front impact sensors
• Side impact sensors located in the front doors
• Front passenger occupant classification sensors
• Driver’s seat position sensor
• Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
• Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
• SRS warning light system itself
• "AIR BAG ON" indicator light
• "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light
• SRS airbag modules
• Associated wiring harnesses and electrical power supply systems

If the SRS warning light remains illuminated, have your Subaru Solterra inspected immediately to ensure proper operation of all safety systems.

■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)

If the 12-volt battery charge level in the Subaru Solterra becomes low, or if there is a temporary voltage drop, the electric power steering warning light may illuminate and a buzzer may sound. Steering assistance may be reduced under these conditions.

■ When the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicle with the tire pressure warning system)

Immediately inspect all tires of the Subaru Solterra to determine if any tire has been punctured or significantly deflated.

If a tire is punctured, take appropriate action to repair or replace it.

If no visible damage is found:

Turn the Subaru Solterra power switch OFF and then back ON, and observe whether the warning light remains illuminated or begins blinking.

If the tire pressure warning light blinks for approximately 1 minute and then stays on

This may indicate a malfunction in the tire pressure monitoring system. Have the Subaru Solterra inspected by a SUBARU dealer without delay.

If the tire pressure warning light remains steadily illuminated

1. Allow the tires to cool down completely, then check and adjust the tire pressure of each tire to the specified level for the Subaru Solterra.

2. If the warning light does not turn off after several minutes, confirm that all tire pressures are correctly set and perform the tire pressure initialization procedure.

If the warning light still does not turn off after completing these steps, have the Subaru Solterra inspected as soon as possible.

■ The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes (vehicle with the tire pressure warning system)

In the Subaru Solterra, the tire pressure warning light may activate due to gradual air loss or natural pressure variations caused by temperature changes. This is a normal characteristic of tire behavior.

Adjusting the tire pressure to the correct level will typically cause the warning light to turn off after a short period.

WARNING

■ If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on

Stop the Subaru Solterra immediately in a safe location and contact your SUBARU dealer.

Driving under these conditions may lead to unstable braking performance, and the ABS system may not function properly, increasing the risk of an accident that could result in serious injury or death.

■ When the electric power steering system warning light comes on

In the Subaru Solterra, illumination of the electric power steering warning light indicates a reduction or loss of steering assist. When the indicator appears in yellow, steering assistance is limited, making wheel operation slightly heavier than normal. If the indicator turns red, steering assist is no longer available, and the steering wheel will require significantly greater effort to operate.

In such conditions, firmly grip the steering wheel of the Subaru Solterra and apply increased force to maintain safe directional control of the vehicle.

WARNING

■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicle with the tire pressure warning system)

Strictly follow the precautions below when this warning appears in your Subaru Solterra.

Ignoring these instructions may result in reduced vehicle stability and could lead to serious injury or fatal accidents.

• Bring the Subaru Solterra to a stop in a safe location as soon as possible and immediately adjust the tire inflation pressure to the recommended level.
• If the warning light remains illuminated even after correcting tire pressure, a puncture may be present. Inspect all tires carefully.

  If a flat tire is found, perform a repair using the emergency tire puncture repair kit provided with the Subaru Solterra.

• Avoid sudden steering inputs or abrupt braking maneuvers.

  Deteriorated or underinflated tires can compromise handling and braking performance, increasing the risk of losing control.

■ If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicle with the tire pressure warning system)

Be aware that in the Subaru Solterra, the tire pressure warning system may not respond instantly to rapid air loss such as a blowout. Drivers should remain attentive to changes in vehicle behavior.

■ Maintenance of the tires (vehicle with the tire pressure warning system)

Each tire on the Subaru Solterra, including the spare if equipped, should be inspected monthly when cold and inflated to the pressure specified on the tire and loading information label. If tires of a different size are installed, determine and maintain the correct pressure accordingly.

When the TPMS warning light activates, stop the Subaru Solterra as soon as it is safe and check all tires, inflating them to the correct pressure as required.

Driving with significantly underinflated tires can cause overheating, leading to tire failure. In the Subaru Solterra, this condition may also reduce traction battery efficiency, accelerate tire wear, and negatively affect handling and braking performance.

The TPMS in the Subaru Solterra is designed as a supplementary system and does not replace routine tire maintenance. It remains the driver’s responsibility to ensure proper tire inflation at all times, even if the warning light has not been triggered.

Your Subaru Solterra is also equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator, which alerts you when the system itself is not functioning correctly.

TPMS malfunctions in the Subaru Solterra may occur due to various factors, including the installation of non-standard tires or wheels that interfere with system operation. Always verify that replacement components are compatible with the TPMS.

NOTICE

■ To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly (if equipped)

For reliable TPMS performance in the Subaru Solterra, avoid installing tires of different specifications, brands, or incompatible designs, as this may prevent the system from functioning correctly.