Starrlink infotainment system (defective) freezing malfunctioning,back up/reverse (screen) black out 's, constant beeping though out cars speakers;while driving...(major) distraction & other issues... Aftermarket (sway bar links) were installed instead of oem..official subaru parts ..by a official subaru dealership! Name: colonial volkswagen subaru... Feasterville trevose ...on date:1/08/2024 pa...#[xxx]... Finding as noted: by winner subaru dover delaware...zip:19901...#302‑734‑8200... Service advisory/tag# brooke willis/[xxx]... Service date: 2/12/2025 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Subaru Legacy screen failure problems
14 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe screen or infotainment failure, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical mileage
- 39,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20211
- 20202
- 20185
- 20163
- 20153
Often reported together
Backup camera 6Windshield crack 1Lane assist 1Jerking 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
Starlink infotainment system (audio headunit),(defective)...freezing, malfunction, screen black out at any time...black out while in motion (reverse) using back up camera. Intermitting beeping sound though cars speakers while driving...major distraction...unsafe!.... Finding was within a august.2019 class action lawsuit or so (recall) : federal motor vehicle safety standard (111).I also have (documented) recent proof from winner subaru of dover delaware.. Which confirmed the (exact) same facts.... Contact:rep...name:(brook).I reached out to subaru america advocate.... Camden new jersey... Contact name: (niko)...#800‑782‑2783 ext#119027....case# [xxx]...I was offered $750 good will payment...for a used headunit... Thought winner subaru of dover delaware...a new headunit replacement they quoted $2,500.00....they want give me the $750 and make me pay $759 for labor....for the (fact) that they have know for years that the starlink infotainment system is (defect)...and has paid out 6.25 million dollars.. In reference to it! I only own this car 3 months 7 days....also... Winner subaru dover delaware...informed me that the car had aftermarket sway bar links... Though carfax...and research I was able call colonial volkswagen subaru... Feasterville trevose pa on 1/08/2024 ....was the dealership that had put them on.it was supposed to had been original subaru part not aftermarket...I told brook of winner subaru ..that's what I found out do to speaking to a service... Supervisor...that stated and confirmed the work was done there.I also reached out to subaru america..in reference to this...to no response....this both as a whole is unsafe practice and bad business....I should not have to pay for labor fees of sort...for what know and have know for a fact for years...and still going on till today. Im a hard working american consumer...that both this car 13 weeks ago...to be driving around with (distracting) safety issue. My cell# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6
ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while
During regular use of the radio and head unit, at times the touch screen or controls, dials, buttons will be unresponsive. The Android Auto software tends to malfunction and will randomly disconnect and the audio will blast, full volume at the driver with the inability to control the volume other than to pull over and turn the vehicle off or manually power down the radio. This has happened on several occasions and with young children in the car, it can damage hearing, cause traumatic injury OR if in motion the driver can become quickly surprised or distracted and jerk the steering wheel or react to the jump in sound level that could injury passengers, or other vehicles occupied that may be nearby. This seems to be an issue with the inability to control sound level between different modes. At times though, the car will start and the radio will be blank, or be unresponsive until the car is turned off and back on again.
Center console/head unit will regularly lock up and eventually reboot when Apple CarPlay is in use, cruise control, lane keep will turn off, and car will warn that ADAS is not available, backup camera does not work during this time. HVAC controls are not accessible during this time as well
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the screen display went blank. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
I had to change my battery already as it wouldn't charge or start the car. Two fuses have been replaced. Also while driving, the computer display screen blinks, freezes or has gone blank. At times, I get an alert while driving that tells me 2 or 3 hours since vehicle ignition. These events seem to occur on long road trips with multiple short stops for refueling. If I stop the car and keep it off of around 15 minutes then restart the car, the screen will begin working again. The date entered on this claim is the battery change date.
Radio and control unit randomly restarts and freezes, affecting the radio from working, the vehicle control and driving assistance options, and the two USB ports which are the only power sources in the vehicle from working correctly. I have no audio and cannot reset the radio and cannot change vehicle control functions. When I select certain buttons it does nothing.
Unable to remove key from ignition when vehicle is in park-engine/car turns off except radio/lights. Have to restart car put into reverse, back into park, then turn off car.
Radio constantly freezes. Cannot operate volume or any other functions. Won't even play music when frozen. Have to turn off to reboot. Rearview camera won't work sometimes. What's the point off paying for the extra safety feature if it doesn't work? This was a very expensive car. I am very unhappy.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- Risk
- The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Recall number 19V297000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
- Risk
- The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Recall number 18V773000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- Risk
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Recall number 16V738000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy screen failure
Which Subaru Legacy years have screen or infotainment failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (5 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints) and 2016 (3 complaints).
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