What Subaru Owners Need To Know About The 3G Wireless Network Shutdown
As wireless carriers are shutting down their 3G networks over the coming months, certain Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and WRX STI models will lose the ability to automatically contact first responders after a crash. Subaru uses its Starlink Safety and Security technology, which will need to be upgraded soon.
What are the Subaru model years affected by the 3G wireless network shutdown? Check out the complete list below.
Subaru Forester vehicles affected: 2016-2018 Forester 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, and 2.0XT Touring.
Subaru Outback vehicles affected: 2016-2018 Outback 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, and 3.6R Limited; 2017-2018 Outback 2.5i Sport.
Subaru Crosstrek vehicles affected: 2016-2017 Crosstrek 2.0i Premium with Eyesight and 2.0i Limited; 2018 Crosstrek 2.0i Premium.
Subaru Impreza vehicles affected: 2016-2018 Impreza 2.0i Limited; 2016 Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium with Eyesight and 2.0i Sport Limited; 2017-2018 Impreza 2.0i Premium and 2.0i Sport.
Subaru Legacy vehicles affected: 2016-2018 Legacy 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, and 3.6R Limited; 2017-2018 Legacy 2.5i Sport.
Subaru WRX and WRX STI vehicles affected: 2017 WRX 2.0T Premium with Harman Kardon; 2017-2018 WRX 2.0T Limited and 2017-2018 WRX STI, according to Subaru’s website.
What should Subaru customers do to remedy the situation?
Subaru says retailers offer a complementary update for affected vehicles with an active Starlink Safety and Security subscription. “This update will allow continued access to these important Starlink Safety and Security services. If an affected vehicle is not updated before the 3G network retirement date, the subscription will be canceled,” according to Subaru.
If you are an active Starlink service subscriber and do not update your system before February 2022, your services (Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, and Remote Features such as locking and unlocking your Subaru vehicle) will automatically be canceled. You will be issued a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of your subscription.
If you are not currently subscribed to Starlink, then the operation of your Subaru vehicle will not be affected.
How do I get my Subaru vehicle’s Starlink system updated?
Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and WRX STI customers with an active Starlink subscription will be able to start scheduling service appointments for the complimentary upgrade beginning on March 10, 2021. An authorized Subaru Retailer must complete the vehicle update. You can contact a Subaru retailer for further details or refer to your MySubaru account for scheduling assistance.
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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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