Motor Image Pilipinas, the official local distributor of Subaru vehicles, has issued an official statement. It addresses recent reports from the United States concerning alleged battery performance issues affecting certain Subaru models.
In a statement released on May 12, Motor Image Pilipinas said it had immediately reviewed its Philippine service records after learning about the reports circulating overseas. According to the company, its findings showed no unusual increase in battery-related concerns among Subaru vehicles sold locally.
The issue reportedly stems from a legal filing in the U.S. tied to battery performance complaints in selected Subaru units. While details surrounding the allegations remain under review abroad, Motor Image Pilipinas emphasized that current local data does not indicate a similar trend in the Philippines.
“Our data indicates that there has been no unusual trend or uptick in battery-related concerns within the Philippines,” the company said in its statement. It added that the performance of Subaru vehicles in the country remains “consistent with standard operating expectations.”
Motor Image Pilipinas also confirmed that it is now coordinating directly with Subaru Corporation in Japan. The move aims to clarify details related to the reports and determine whether the components mentioned in the U.S. allegations have any connection to vehicles distributed in the Philippine market.
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the circumstances being discussed in the U.S. apply to vehicles locally,” the company said. The distributor assured customers that it remains committed to maintaining reliability and transparency while waiting for additional information from the Japanese automaker.
For now, Subaru owners in the Philippines are not being advised to take any special action, as the company said there is presently no indication that locally sold vehicles are affected by the concerns raised overseas. The distributor added that further updates will be provided once more information becomes available from the manufacturer.
Autocar’s Take
Subaru Philippines handled the situation the way most customers would expect from a responsible distributor: acknowledge the reports, check the local data, and communicate early. In an era where online discussions can quickly spiral into panic, Motor Image Pilipinas’ move to conduct an immediate audit and clarify that no unusual battery trend has surfaced locally helps prevent unnecessary speculation.
At the same time, the statement wisely avoids dismissing the U.S. reports outright. Instead, it leaves room for further clarification from Japan while reassuring owners that there is currently no evidence linking Philippine units to the issue. That balance matters when maintaining consumer trust.
