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Subaru of America is hit with another class action lawsuit involving its Starlink multimedia system. A new report from Top Class Actions says Subaru vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Starlink infotainment system now include the 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, 2019-2023 Forester, 2019-2023 WRX, and 2019-2023 Legacy vehicles, according to the new Subaru Starlink lawsuit.
Previously in 2020, Subaru of America settled a lawsuit concerning its Starlink multimedia system involving the 2018 Subaru Forester, 2018 Subaru Outback, 2018 Crosstrek, 2018 Legacy, 2017-2018 Impreza, and 2018 BRZ. A New Jersey Judge signed an order valued at $6.25 million benefiting 785,000 Subaru owners and lessees.
This month, attorneys Andrew W. Ferich, Robert R. Ahdoot, and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot & 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.”
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 Subaru Starlink head units involved in the previous class action were Harman Gen 3 audio and navigation head units. However, Subaru recently switched to Starlink head units built by Denso.
According to the new class action lawsuit, the Subaru multimedia system problems can only be fixed by replacing the display screen. According to the new class action lawsuit, the Subaru multimedia system problems can only be fixed by replacing the display screen. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges replacement Starlink head units fail because they are as defective as the originals.
The new Subaru Starlink lawsuit also says Subaru was aware of the alleged defect based on “related service bulletins” because it conducted pre-release vehicle testing, and the suspected deficiency “manifests so quickly.”
In addition to the Starlink system issue of rebooting and other malfunctions, the lawsuit alleges the automaker’s EyeSight driver assist safety technology can fail. The new class action further alleges Subaru knew about the multimedia system problems because the automaker settled a previous Starlink class action lawsuit.
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.”
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 we will bring Subaru customers any further information on the Subaru Starlink lawsuit.
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.
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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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Comments
I have a 21 Outback Limited
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I have a 21 Outback Limited and from time to time the stereo will only play out of 1 speaker when an alert has happened. The only fix I have found is to reboot the system. Thus is very frustrating while driving especially when relying on navigation.
My screen is doing its own
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My screen is doing its own thing like changing in and out of radio. Bluetooth works half the time. Could the Starlink becausing this?
Thanks
Had my2019 outback in 3 times
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Had my2019 outback in 3 times for starling module draining the battery
The battery in my 2019 Subaru
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In reply to Had my2019 outback in 3 times by William patty (not verified)
The battery in my 2019 Subaru Outback has been replaced once and the new battery conked out after a month or so. We were told that it is caused by the Starlink system constantly trying to connect to 5G, even when the car isn’t running. I never paid for the Starlink subscription. We have an extended warranty, so we aren’t out any money yet, but it is alarming not to know if the car will start or the battery will be dead. Apparently the computer in the car must be replaced (or part of it) and the part(s) won’t be available until mid-June or later.
We have a 2019 Subaru…
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In reply to The battery in my 2019 Subaru by Karen (not verified)
We have a 2019 Subaru Outback and have dealt with battery issues for a couple years now. My grandson happened to find a thread on Reddit that has seemed to finally have fixed our battery issue.
According to him through his battery testing, the Starlink continues to run even when car is off and results in draining th batteries.
The solution was to run the cable to the fuse for Starlink to another fuse that shut off when car is off.
We ordered an add-a-fuse cable and took out the Starlink fuse and attached it to a fuse that shut off function when car is off like your radio.
Worked like a charm. It’s been working great for over 3 months now and no more dead batteries.
Of course, I’m going thinking no more Subarus for me!
The data reporting .odule is…
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In reply to The battery in my 2019 Subaru by Karen (not verified)
The data reporting .odule is actually trying to connect to a Gen-3 tower which are no longer in service. Subaru was aware in 2018 that Gen-3 was going to be shutdown soon. Because the module in the system can't find a tower, it repeatedly ping for it FOREVER, thus running down the battery. The battery will stay charged if the car is driven every day for 4-6 hours. If it'd parked overnight, it still :HUNTS" for that non existent tower and depletes the battery. If you pull the 7.5 Amp fuse in the fuse box. It disables that chip that HUNTS for the tower. It also causes other malfunctions, some of which are safety related. The Bluetooth speakers no longer works. The GPS system wo t work, and the automatic braking fails . Subaru KNEW this was an issue and still co tinued to sell the cars as if everything was fine. Now the dealer informs me they can "FIX" the problem for $1100. Hello NTSB, ANYONE LISTENING???
If you have an active…
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In reply to The data reporting .odule is… by Steve (not verified)
If you have an active starlink subscription then they will update your cellular module free of charge. Your dealer is not well informed.
MYSUBARU WILL NOT CONNECT…
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In reply to If you have an active… by Rob Greger (not verified)
MYSUBARU WILL NOT CONNECT WITH MY VIN NUMBER. HOW DO I GET A STARLINK SUBSCRIPTION? IF IT INVOLVES USING MY VEHICLE'S TOUCHSCREEN - I AM STILL SCREWED!
This is very informative…
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In reply to The data reporting .odule is… by Steve (not verified)
This is very informative. Been having low to dead battery since I bought my 2019 Legacy brand new. Now I think I know why when my car sits for two plus days it starts slow and dead battery after 5 days.
Leased a 22 Outback
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Leased a 22 Outback Wilderness and I'm on head unit number three. This is my first Subaru and likely to be my last because of the system instability from the head unit. Utter garbage.
My screen acts up off and on
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My screen acts up off and on it's a 2021 outback with 56,000
I own a 2021 Outback and my
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I own a 2021 Outback and my starlink system has crashed and rebooted while driving a number of times in the past. I took it in and was told a software issue and it was updated. It recently has crashed twice and rebooted. It is going in for service shortly and I was planning on mentioning it again.
I was just going to purchase
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I was just going to purchase a new 2023 Subaru Forester Limited in June. Just happened to come across info on this new class action suit
I love the car but now not sure what to do. Don’t know if there will be the same problem in the 14. I wanted this car and all its safety features and multimedia system. Not sure what to do….any suggestions? Subaru is pretty highly rated.
2029 outback premium suffers
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2029 outback premium suffers battery drain from starlink module. I have been waiting 2 months for replacement part. Current starlink is disconnected and disables blue tooth connection.
Exact same issue in my ‘19
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In reply to 2029 outback premium suffers by Hector L Figueroa (not verified)
Exact same issue in my ‘19 outback. Incredibly frustrating!
My 2019 Outback has the same…
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In reply to Exact same issue in my ‘19 by Greg (not verified)
My 2019 Outback has the same issue with the head unit. I took it to the dealer on April 4, 2023, and was told the units were on "backorder". I paid extra for a 100,000-mile warranty. Annoying to say the least - October now, I call weekly... still not available. UGH
I have a 2020 Subaru…
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In reply to My 2019 Outback has the same… by Karen Farmer (not verified)
I have a 2020 Subaru Forester and gave changed out my radio several times Corporate will not help they offered 2500 with nothing to help really trade me out. Its been 3 years of non stop bavk and forth now had to buy a new battery right after the last time when battery was drained and damaged. Head abd radio replaced and still sane issues with radio and Starlink. I was stranded. I need to speak to this lawyer please send their info tgey are refusing to trade me out.
We have a 2019 Subaru…
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In reply to My 2019 Outback has the same… by Karen Farmer (not verified)
We have a 2019 Subaru Outback that the screen that is delaminating and now at times just goes crazy flipping channels and you can’t sometimes turn it off. Subaru America gave us the run around and refused to fix it.
Our touch screen on our 2023
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Our touch screen on our 2023 outback is unresponsive at times and has rebooted while we were driving down the road. Nowhere near as bad as our tenth gen Civic, but it’s annoying and dangerous
I own a 2020 Outback and have
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I own a 2020 Outback and have had nothing but problems with the starlink system, even after replacement of the screen and system. I am interested in further information and possible involvement in this class action lawsuit
My 2022 Crosstrek…
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In reply to I own a 2020 Outback and have by Katherine Hetzelt (not verified)
My 2022 Crosstrek infotainment unit has been nothing but trouble since I picked up the vehicle. The update helped but it still fails and is getting worse!!!
I had my 2022 Subaru outback
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I had my 2022 Subaru outback in for display problems and losing the display completely going down the road. They just did a software update didn't help. Will have to take it back, but it is a half day loss each time, also 40 mile each way.
2019 Outback dead battery
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2019 Outback dead battery issue.
Took it in for service. Starlink earmarked as problem. Fuse removed and we were sent on our way waiting for new module - which is back ordered. In the meantime cannot use handsfree phone as microphone is disabled due to missing fuse. Ugh!! But at least battery hasn't died on us due to phantom dran! Also on our 3rd battery since purchase 8 months ago. Soooooo glad we purchased extended warranty!!
Having problems when using
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Having problems when using maps, some times the location is inaccurate. The phone call voice volume is terrible, unable to hear the conversation.
I have a 2022 subaru outback
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I have a 2022 subaru outback and the navigation doesn't work. I was told I have to pay to update it.
When it is hot ( we live in florida) the screen has to cool down before it will work
I've had problems with the
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I've had problems with the Starlink entertainment system on my 2020 touring XT Outback from day 1. It has been in the shop for months while they tried to fix it. It reboots while I am driving and also freezes until I stop the car, turn everything off, leave the car and then return to restart the vehicle. This week they updated the software. I am hoping for a miracle....
I have a 2020 legacy with the
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I have a 2020 legacy with the gps unit and I constantly have a screen issue where the touch screen becomes not responsive, the screen blacks out, and even the volume button sometimes won't work. The dealership says they updated the software but it still happens from time to time.
We own a 2022 Subaru forester
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We own a 2022 Subaru forester are we a part of class a lawsuit for Subaru starling
Please advise
Thank you
2022 Outback wilderness
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2022 Outback wilderness infotainment system completely shut down on a road trip from AZ to AR and back. Entire screen went blank only to come back as an error screen moments later. Yes this was in the middle of nowhere NM enroute home when we lost all nav. Radio and other settings were unaccessible. On occasion our nav. Will show us far off course and not even on a road. Next thing you know it "looks" normal. Can't trust the system 100% the worst case was the day after a service appointment @ Subaru El Paso. (no blame, they were awesome!) at the time we just thought it was a system reset from service. Now we realize it's more than just a reset. Recurring 2-3 times since initial glitch.
2019 Outback. 4th Subaru and
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2019 Outback. 4th Subaru and will be the last. Didn’t act up until after 36000 so no help. Not only does STARLINK act up but automatic windows and tailgate appear to work properly only when they feel like it.