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New Subaru Starlink Lawsuit Update And What You Need To Know Now

There is a new update concerning the Subaru Starlink lawsuit. Here are the latest details customers should be aware of.
2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, Legacy Starlink

Here are the latest details concerning the Subaru Starlink lawsuit that customers should be aware of. Top Class Actions states, “A federal judge in New Jersey declined to dismiss a class action lawsuit accusing Subaru of manufacturing and selling certain vehicles containing defective Starlink infotainment systems.” Here is what it means for customers.

“U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler determined the court did not have enough facts to dismiss the common law claims of fraud, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and fraudulent concealment.” 

Subaru attempted to dismiss the claims and argued some of the claims were untimely and that any warranty would have been made solely by Subaru of America. The judge ruled it was too early to distinguish the liability or severability between Subaru of America and Subaru Corporation.

In the Subaru Starlink lawsuit, the judge ruled that the class action adequately alleged the Starlink information systems did not work as advertised. 

Subaru Starlink Lawsuit Overview 

As I reported in April of last year, attorneys Andrew W. Ferich, Robert R. Ahdoot, and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot and Wolfson, PC filed the lawsuit against Subaru, claiming the automaker is guilty of “unjust enrichment, common law fraud, and fraudulent concealment, and of violating the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act and New York General Business Law, among other things.”

What Subaru Vehicles Are Included In The Starlink Lawsuit?

According to the Subaru class action, Subaru vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Starlink infotainment system include the 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, and Legacy.

Related Starlink Story: After A 6-Month Wait, The Subaru Outback Touchscreen Update Is Finally Here

Plaintiffs Marco Cillufo (2021 Subaru WRX), Jeffrey Quarles (2019 Subaru Forester), Pamela Doze (2022 Subaru Outback), and Carl Jean-Louis (2019 Subaru WRX) claim the allegedly defective Subaru Starlink system “Presents a safety risk for drivers of the 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, and Legacy vehicles by disabling safety features and presenting drivers with distracting and frustrating effects.”

The plaintiffs argue further that Subaru falsely promises the Starlink systems will provide drivers with “seamless navigation,” “extra safety,” and “everyday convenience.” 

“Instead, Subaru sells and leases class vehicles equipped with defective Starlink systems that fail intermittently or altogether, causing serious inconvenience and safety concerns for lessees and owners, their passengers, and other drivers on the road,” the class action states. 

The report says plaintiffs Cillufo, Quarles, Doze, and Jean-Louis “are demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive relief along with an award of punitive damages for themselves and all class members.”

The plaintiffs also argue that Subaru must be aware of the alleged defect based on “related service bulletins” since it conducted pre-release vehicle testing and the alleged defect “manifests so quickly.” 

What can Subaru owners do?

If you are experiencing problems with your Subaru Starlink system in your 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, or Legacy, take your vehicle to a Subaru retailer. The Starlink equipment is covered under the new vehicle warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles. Stay tuned, and when more information is available on the Subaru Starlink lawsuit, I will inform customers.

YOUR TURN

If you have purchased or leased a Subaru vehicle equipped with a Starlink multimedia system and believe it is defective, let us know in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Starlink report. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

MORE SUBARU NEWS

Don't Pay Extra For This Subaru Feature

An Easy Fix To A Frozen Starlink Screen Or Phone That Won’t Connect 

  • How do you fix a frozen screen on your new 2023-2024 Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or other new model? Check out this easy fix to a Starlink multimedia screen or smartphone that won't connect.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time. 

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

Frances Simonson (not verified)    May 15, 2024 - 11:03PM

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I purchased a 2024 Crosstrek with the understanding it had a functioning Starlink system. That system failed at 2,000 original miles. The car has been in and out of the dealer's repair shop and it cannot be fixed. So the local dealer offered me $11,000 less than I paid to buy back the defective vehicle! 5/15/2024

Stephanie Howe (not verified)    May 16, 2024 - 5:07PM

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I have a 2018 Subaru outback and the screen infotainment center whatever you want to call it has a bunch of bubbles under the screen and it causes the radio to change randomly, maps are messed up and it will even make random calls while I am driving. Just started doing it a week ago. Buttons on screan don’t work it’s got a mind of its own! Is Subaru covering the cost to fix this?

Theresa OConnor (not verified)    May 29, 2024 - 1:15PM

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I leased my 2019 Legacy in 2018, I purchased it, after the lease ended.It has only 19,000 miles on it. We don't use the radio a lot because it distracts my husband. That being said, a few months ago the Starlink radio started acting like there was a "ghost" in the machine. Would randomly switch channels. Turn itself on. Made weird beeping noises. of course my warranty was expired and the service department told me to contact Subaru Got nowhere with that. I have to leave the radio turned off, all the time.

Andrea Estores (not verified)    May 30, 2024 - 8:27PM

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My 2020 Outback has been having the blackout issues. Dealership did a software update a couple years ago that seemed to fix it for awhile or long enough for warranty to expire. Last few days it blacks out several times within an hour commute and now won't pair with my phone. So frustrated and concerned about safety since so many features depend on the software.

MaryAnne (not verified)    June 11, 2024 - 10:21AM

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‘22 Outback
Head unit comes and goes without rhyme or reason
Dealership says big Subaru is aware, will NOT replace, just keep coming in for “updates” for free UNTIL YOUR WARRANTY IS OUTDATED!!!
Is there justice for NEW car customers?

Tony Forster (not verified)    June 18, 2024 - 6:28PM

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2019 Subaru Outback
having the same issue, The starlink has bubbled screen, Doesn't respond, switches itself on and off, won't connect to the phone, If it does it'll disconnect and the reconnect, Icons dance across the screen.....
we have 120,000 miles on the Car and Subaru are only offering $800 towards the repair cost, because we are over the 100,000 miles....
even the local dealer said if we were under 100,000 mile they would just do it!!!!

Sarah Lange (not verified)    June 18, 2024 - 7:10PM

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2019 Outback has all of a sudden started locking up. It’s intermittent but often. Had the dealer do software update. It froze on the way home! Happens when phone is connected by cable and using car play. And also when I’m not connected at all. Dealer is doing free diagnostic check tomorrow.

brad (not verified)    July 23, 2024 - 10:07AM

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I have a 2019 Outback Touring. There are several pea sized blemishes Behind the front screen that have increased in number. Those seem to be responsible for several faults including the unit making random phone calls, switching back and forth between functions and screens, causing settings to change etc. You can see the screens switching and functions being accessed without any touch to the screen or buttons. Most of the time there is no ability to control the functions by physical touch and the unit is completely non usable.

Karen L Keaton (not verified)    July 30, 2024 - 2:28AM

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My screen does not work and I am past the 3 year warranty. How do other people join this class action lawsuit or is there also one in the state of WV. It is horrible not being able to use my screen.

Sudheer B (not verified)    August 22, 2024 - 11:13AM

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I have recently done the Starlink update on my 2020 Subaru Outback and the infotainment is not working ever since, and since all the convenience(ac, audio, etc) and safety(Lane assist, cruise, braking, Rear collision etc.) are controlled via infotainment, my car is basically not in a drivable condition.

Subaru's response to this is "At some point in time, every autombile will encounter a condition which require minor and sometime major repair" and they can not be of any assistance.