A change in some 2019-2020 subaru models causes an incompatibility between obd-ii devices and the subaru starlink system (which is used to dispatch emergency services in the event of an accident, and for other purposes). Subaru service bulletin 15-257-19 11/11/2019 recognizes the problem, but does not offer a solution other than tell the customer not to use the obd-ii device. Since the starlink system prior to model year 2019 was compatible with obd-ii devices, it seems likely that a subaru initiated change is causing this incompatibility. As stated in the bulletin, in order to avoid having the car notify the dealer every 3 days of the problem, they have changed the notifications to once every 10 days. This is not solving the problem, but merely pushing it down the road. Some consider starlink a safety system, and pay extra to have it available. Copy of service bulletin attached. This is a continuing, repeated problem starting on 3/11/2020 and is a continuing intermittent problem. First dealer service on 3/17/2020 found no problem because the issue had temporarily resolved itself. The service bulletin was not found by the owner until 4/2/2020 after several back and forth emails with subaru customer service before then.
2020 Subaru Forester electrical complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 103 of 103, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle ignition is off and in park. The safety issue occurs when the rear tailgate is left open. After 20 minutes of leaving the rear tailgate open, all the interior lights turn off correctly as a published safety feature to help prevent a dead battery upon departure. The user thinks everything has shut off when the lights turn off, however, the rear tailgate ecu does not turn off or go to a low power state after the initial 20 minutes causing a high drain on the battery. The hatch ecu continues to draw in excess of 4 amps while the hatch is left open, causing a dead battery in as little as a few hours. The user can unknowingly be left stranded with a dead battery causing a safety issue. This is a serious oversight and engineering error that will likely leave many people unknowingly stranded with a dead battery.
When driving the driver heated seat puts out low heat even if the switch is in the off position. At 15 minutes sitting, heat can be felt on the buttocks skin and caused minor skin burn at around 30 minutes.
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