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Subaru of America issued a stop sale on the newly-redesigned 2023 Subaru Outback midsize SUV and 2023 Subaru Legacy sedan. Customers who have ordered one of the new models will have to wait for their new vehicle.
Why did Subaru issue a stop sale on the 2023 Subaru Outback and Legacy? A new report from Alex Prestigiacomo, who works at Bachman Subaru, says the problem with the two new models is due to an issue with the SOS button.
What models are affected?
All 2023 Subaru Outback Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, and all Outback XT trim levels are under the stop-sale order. All 2023 Subaru Legacy Premium, Limited, Sport, and Touring XT trims are also under the stop-sale order. The 2023 Outback Base and 2023 Legacy Base trim levels or previous model years are unaffected.
What is the problem with the two models?
The SOS button is used when a Subaru owner is in an accident or needs roadside assistance. A statement from Subaru of America says, "Specifically, when the SOS button is depressed, it does not operate as designed, failing to make a connection." The button is connected to the Subaru Starlink connected services.
When will the problem be fixed?
Alex says Subaru sent out a bulletin to retailers on September 26, expecting to have a remedy within the next ten days (which was October 6). Once a remedy is identified, the repair will be performed by your local Subaru retailer. At the time of the video (10/6/22), Subaru does not have a fix but expects to have one soon.
Orders for Outback and Legacy are open as of October 1, 2022. Alex says Subaru retailers are hoping they can fix the two models and have them available for shipment by October 31. The stop order should not impact future orders for November and December.
The 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Legacy received a minor redesign and are manufactured in the U.S. at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant.
The 2023 Outback and 2023 Legacy changes included exterior upgrades, the latest version of EyeSight safety technology, and a new wide-angle mono camera. Subaru also updated both models' multimedia systems with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If you currently own a 2023 Subaru Outback or 2023 Subaru Legacy, you should receive an email from Subaru of America soon if you haven't already. Your local Subaru retailer should be able to provide the fix once it becomes available.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Alex Prestigiacomo, Subaru
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Comments
I am one of the customers
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I am one of the customers affected and I was told 10/7/2022, by my dealer that Subaru has found a solution and that it will be both as software and hardware update. For the hardware update Subaru is sending out replacement chips and hope to have it fixed by mid October or end of October.
Shouldn't the Dealer give you
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In reply to I am one of the customers by Oscar (not verified)
Shouldn't the Dealer give you your money back if you are payed in full if you don't want to wait for the fix. I'm in that situation at Delaney Auto Group of Indiana, Pa
That’s exactly what I did. I
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In reply to Shouldn't the Dealer give you by Charles Lohr (not verified)
That’s exactly what I did. I paid & they wouldn’t give me an ETA, paperwork, bill of sale, etc nothing. Handed the check right back to me
It is hard for me to
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It is hard for me to understand the decision of stop sale of All 2023 Outback and Legacy models. I agree it is a functionality problem but it doesn’t impact the normal driving of the car. Why can’t Subaru declare it as a recall and fix the problem when the parts are available instead of making the buyers wait. They could have given the option to the buyers to buy the car without the fix and have it fixed when parts are available. I am sure many buyers would have switched to other manufacturers and Subaru has lost so much of sales.
I also don’t understand why this problem surfaced in 2023 models and not in previous year models.
Any current information if
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Any current information if Subaru has began distributing corrective hardware/software to the vehicles affected, or vehicles in production yet?
I bought brand new Subaru
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I bought brand new Subaru Impreza 2017 on July 2017 from Subaru World of Newton, my car is five years old and I noticed that when is cold outside my Impreza accumulates a lot of condensation on the windows and windshield , I would like to know if other owners of Subaru have the same situation with their vehicles. Would like to know if there is any recall for this kind of issue with other Subaru Impreza owners.
This has been a problem with
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In reply to I bought brand new Subaru by Carmen Rivera (not verified)
This has been a problem with all cars. You need to set the heater to OUTSIDE air. You are now recycling the inside air in your car and it causes this condensation problem.
Our 2023 Subaru Outback was
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Our 2023 Subaru Outback was delivered on Oc 04. We were told that the SOS button was not working but the dealership did not explain alll the other safety, security and multimedia systems that would n to work. In contacting the dealership multiple times, it was apparent that their was a lack of communications between the different departments. We first learning about the depth of rogue problems after papers were signed and I asked about the rem one starting APP. the salesman claimed it was only a switch problem. He nor anyone at dealership told us about the Sept 26 letter from Subaru.
As of Oct 21 I was told the
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As of Oct 21 I was told the the correct hardware might take 2 months to arrive!!! I am moving out of state in 5 days and was depending on this new car. I am plenty mad and will never trust Subaru again. I have owned five, but next time it is a Ford I am buying!!!
I too am affected by this SOS
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I too am affected by this SOS part. My new Subaru Premium Outback arrived on November 1st. I’m unable to take delivery. I am a bit disappointed considering this will be my 3rd Subaru. And my mom has purchased five. I don’t take issue with the dealership. They have been very responsive and provided regular updates on status of delivery. I was excited when they said the good news is your new Outback arrived. The bad news it doesn’t have the SOS part fix.
I literally just bought one
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I literally just bought one and paid it straight off with no payments the 2023 Outback Touring XT. I wasn’t told about this issue! I guess I should’ve looked into this before purchasing this! Is anyone having problems with the screens?
I bought a 2023 outback
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In reply to I literally just bought one by Dawn White (not verified)
I bought a 2023 outback premium about 10 days ago. Sadly the screen stopped working - the Starlink button is completely blackout while all the safety features are completely gone since yesterday when driving in a snowy day. Searching the internet and just found this place this moment - sadly it is too late and I should have read these posts here. It makes me mad that the dealer never even mentioned this issue with Subaru. Will contact the dealer and ask for explanations!
Hi.
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Hi.
I’ve been told that my Subaru car contract is defective and void. Some important fields were left blank
How do I get out of it?
Thanks.