2024 Subaru Crosstrek

Radio/Infotainment system popped up a over-the-air In-Vehicle Messaging (IVM) alert for SiriusXM advertisement. This in-motion ad force them to take their eyes off the road just to hit "Dismiss" resulting in missing a critical navigation turn in an unfamiliar location. This seems to happen every few months. The vendor does not offer a way to make these driver interruptions stop. I later called the number on the screen and they do not have a way to Opt Out of the IVM advertisements since I am not a California resident protected by CCPA.

My issue is with Sirius XM advertisements popping up on the screen while I'm driving, it is very distracting and seems unsafe especially when I'm using navigation apps on my screen trying to navigate the city. The message on the screen does have a phone number that says "Limited-time SiriusXM offer available through 6/30. Call 866-635-2495 for info/vehicle msg opt-out" but when I called the number they said it was physically impossible for them to opt me out and recommended I purchase a new in car stereo to address the issue. Which is completely outrageous because the car is a 2024 and basically new still. I asked to speak to a manager and they were unable to do anything to address it despite the message sating call to opt-out.

In-car pop-up advertisements, specifically from SiriusXM. The advertisement pops up while driving, attempting to use the safety features of the car, including navigation. It happens every few months, at random. There is no way to opt-out from the vehicle; the only option is using a desktop computer, creating an account, and finding the communication preferences. This is a dangerous feature, as it causes multiple issues when it happens, including driver safety. They violated FCC rules by making this easy to opt out of; I've never opted in, as I had to create an account just to cancel.

Advertisements routinely pop up on infotainment screen and block safety features like X Mode (for snow). They are a driving distraction, as they block all features on the screen and will not disappear until they are interacted with. This means that in inclement weather, I have to INTERACT WITH AN AD before using this safety feature. SiriusXM has refused to remove them. Subaru has said there is nothing they can do. This was also NOT disclosed to me upon purchase of the vehicle, so this is also a dishonest business practice on top of being a safety hazard by: not allowing usage of safety features and being a driving distraction. First and second incident was in November 2024, third was December 4, 2024. Most recent incidents occurred November 22, 2025 and December 2nd, 2025. I have photos as proof.

This is the second time this has occurred. While driving (vehicle in motion for multiple minutes beforehand), an ad for SiriusXM radio popped up on my infotainment, which disables CarPlay, A/C controls, car settings, driver assistance settings, etc. until you dismiss the ad. There is no way to dismiss the ad except clicking a small “X” button in the corner, which is difficult and dangerous to do while driving because you have to really focus on the screen and tapping the right spot. Absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate to show an ad like that. If I were driving at night or in the rain, there is a high likelihood I would crash, and that chance is not zero even in good daytime weather. It also forces me to do something illegal (interact w screen while driving).

While driving, the infotainment screen was overtaken with an advertisement for SiriusXM radio which had to be manually cleared by hitting an X button on the screen. The vehicle was in motion when the advertisement appeared and completely covered the screen. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had been on and driving for over an hour.

About 5 minutes after I started driving, an ad for Sirius-XM radio subscription appeared on my infotainment system. It took up the entire screen, covering my AC controls and Apple CarPlay navigation - this meant that I was required to interact with/dismiss the ad. Because it was shown when I was driving (in motion), I was forced to unsafely and illegally interact with the touch screen to re-enable the functionality of my car. Showing an ad in the car is unacceptable in general, but especially in a situation when the car is in motion, where it poses a significant safety risk.

Ad for Sirius XM popped up on infotainment center AS I WAS DRIVING. This caused an unexpected interruption in my ability to drive safely. Subaru gives you zero option to opt out and I have repeatedly had this pop up on my screen. I bought and paid for this vehicle and they should not be allowed to place ANY ADS on the infotainment center.