Subaru and Toyota Face Lawsuit Over EVs That Suddenly Lose Power | Carscoops

      A recent lawsuit claims that certain EVs experience ongoing 12-volt battery failures that render them unusable, leading to frustration among their owners.

      The lawsuit states that the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solterra suffer from persistent 12-volt battery problems. The plaintiffs allege that replacement batteries also deplete rapidly, leaving the EVs stranded. They contend that neither Toyota nor Subaru adequately informed buyers about these recurring issues.

      While many electric vehicle owners anticipate occasional quirks, frequent breakdowns due to defective batteries can test anyone's patience. This frustration has become the focus of a legal dispute in the United States.

      A class action lawsuit asserts that the Subaru Solterra and its Toyota bZ4x counterpart are not fulfilling their intended function because of ongoing problems with their 12-volt batteries. Owners claim that these batteries not only lose charge quickly but also continue to fail even after being replaced, leaving drivers facing the same issue repeatedly.

      In the 2023-2025 models of the Solterra and bZ4x mentioned in the lawsuit, the 12-volt battery is crucial for operating the connection between the high-voltage EV battery and the drive motors. It also powers essential features like windows, seats, HVAC fans, the radio, wipers, and lights. Consequently, if it fails, the vehicle becomes entirely inoperable.

      Numerous owners report having had to replace multiple 12-volt batteries within just a few months, with some vehicles accumulating fewer than 10,000 miles before the battery failure. This situation has forced drivers into a cycle of jumpstarting, replacing batteries, and repeated trips to service centers.

      The lawsuit alleges that Toyota and Subaru did not sufficiently inform customers about the defect. Dealerships are also accused of inadequately resolving the issue, with the battery charging system suspected as the root cause.

      “This defect… results in significant time and out-of-pocket expenses for plaintiffs and class members, who must jumpstart their vehicles or arrange for towing, wait for dealerships to charge or replace batteries, and secure alternative transportation to work, school, medical appointments, etc.,” the legal filings state.

      The class action includes ten plaintiffs. While some have had their 12-volt batteries replaced under warranty at no cost, they find that even new batteries can fail rapidly.

      This is not the first instance of this issue being presented in court. Toyota had previously been sued by California bZ4x owner John Wade, and his complaint has been incorporated into the current class action along with others from across the nation.