Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Ariya vs Subaru Solterra: Reliability Compared
Nissan Ariya
Subaru Solterra
The Nissan Ariya comes out well ahead of the Subaru Solterra on reliability. Fewer recalls and fewer crash-linked problem areas decide it. The Ariya's weak spot is sudden loss of drive power, while the Solterra has reports of unintended acceleration at parking speed.
How Do the Nissan Ariya and Subaru Solterra Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Ariya is more reliable than the Subaru Solterra, scoring 85/100 vs 71/100.
Reliability favors the Ariya, and the gap is large. It holds an excellent standing against a good one for the Solterra. It has fewer federal recalls, 4 against 6, and one crash-linked problem area where the Solterra has two. The Ariya does draw more owner complaints per vehicle sold, mostly loss of drive power and 12v battery failures. Those are real, but the Solterra's reports of sudden acceleration at parking speed weigh more heavily.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Solterra has 64.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Nissan Ariya scores 14 points higher in reliability
- 3Nissan Ariya has 2 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Ariya vs Subaru Solterra: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Ariya | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 85/100 | 71/100 |
| Years Tracked | 4 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 112.8 | 48.5 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Ariya and Subaru Solterra?
Loss of drive power defines the Ariya's complaints. Owners describe a dead 12v battery that keeps the EV system from starting, a "Service EV System" warning with limp mode, and sudden shutdown at highway speed. Its one crash-linked report involved sudden acceleration while parking. Solterra problems lean toward unwanted acceleration and driver-assist faults. Two crash-linked electrical reports describe the car lunging at parking speed. A crash-linked speed control report has a car hitting a house without automatic emergency braking activating. Adaptive cruise control that speeds up toward a stopped car shows up too, along with slow cold-weather DC fast charging.
| Component | Nissan Ariya | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 56.4High | 11.3Above Avg |
| POWER TRAIN | 19.5High | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4.3Average | 3.4Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4.3Average | 3.4Average |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 4.5Average |
| ENGINE | 4.3Average | —None |
| STEERING | 4.3Average | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 3.4Average |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 2.3Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 2.3Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 2.3Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Nissan Ariya vs Subaru Solterra Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Ariya | Subaru Solterra | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 88/1000R / 7C | 74/1002R / 4C | Nissan Ariya |
| 2024 | 88/1000R / 6C | 74/1002R / 14C | Nissan Ariya |
| 2023 | 76/1004R / 39C | 65/1002R / 25C | Nissan Ariya |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Nissan Ariya scored 88/100 and the 2024 Subaru Solterra scored 74/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Ariya vs the Subaru Solterra?
Nissan Ariya vs Subaru Solterra: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Ariya more reliable than the Subaru Solterra?
- Yes, by a large margin. The Ariya has an excellent standing and the Solterra a good one. The Ariya has fewer recalls and fewer crash-linked complaint areas. It does have a higher complaint rate per vehicle sold, driven by power loss and 12v battery problems.
- Which has more recalls, the Ariya or the Solterra?
- The Solterra has more. Federal recall records show 6 recalls across its 3 model years, against 4 across the Ariya's 4 model years. Check any specific car's VIN with the manufacturer to confirm that open recalls have been completed before you buy.
- Which model years of the Ariya and Solterra are best to buy?
- For both, 2024 is the safest target. The Ariya's strongest years are 2024 and 2025, and its weakest are 2023 and 2026. The Solterra's strongest are also 2024 and 2025, but 2025 is on its weakest list too, and so is 2023.
- What goes wrong most often on the Nissan Ariya?
- Electrical problems lead, with 26 complaints. Typical reports involve a 12v battery that will not hold a charge, which stops the EV system from starting even with main battery charge left. Owners also report limp mode and warnings of an EV system fault, usually without advance notice.
- Has the Subaru Solterra had crash-linked complaints?
- Yes. Two crash-linked electrical complaints describe sudden forceful acceleration at parking speed, and one speed control complaint involved a car hitting a house. The Ariya has one crash-linked area, power train, with a report of sudden acceleration while parking.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Nissan Ariya and Subaru Solterra? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Nissan Ariya and Subaru Solterra
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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