2019 Subaru Legacy

Infotainment system screen began bubbling. Then it started randomly selection icons by itself. Then it got to the point where it is unusable and constantly is making selections on its own. I can’t even make selections if I want to. Whole screen is effected. Subaru of America is aware and my dealer first denied knowing it was an issue but later admitted to me they have gotten several complaints of the same. Dealer ordered a replacement over a year ago and I have still not gotten a replacement because they keep telling me it is back ordered and that they put a rush on it. Still nothing in over a year. This problem also causes the battery to drain while parked. I had to put a brand new battery in and it still drains. A year or so after that, Subaru sent out a notice that they will reimburse for that issue. I don’t have any paperwork left from my replacement costs. Again, dealer denied knowing that the battery drains and later admitted they knew.

There is a recall for this issue in Subaru vehicles through 2018 but our 2019 Legacy has the same issue. The head unit very soon after purchase (brand new from dealer) started to delaminate and not respond to touchscreen interaction. Now it is so bad that it is as if the head unit is possessed. It changes radio and settings randomly, cycles the screen, makes random phone calls if a phone is connected, changes navigation (Android Auto) on its own and suddenly it's navigating you to Mexico... Even if we aren't using the screen it is dangerously distracting because it is constantly glitching. We are out of warranty so the dealer wants us to pay for this repair on our own. We want to see the recall expanded to include 2019 and later model years. According to numerous reports online, I know we are not the only ones. We also have issues with this vehicle's battery draining unusually fast but that is not as critical an issue as this head unit problem.

Battery replaced last year at dealer under battery class action lawsuit. Car was stored using a battery tender from May through January and put back into service with regular use several times a week. Today car failed to start. Have appointment with dealer tomorrow. A battery is not a permanent fix and does not instill confidence that you will not be left stranded. Subaru is aware there is a problem with their Starlink system and the use of 3g. The system keeps attempting to make contact using the defunct 3g network thereby draining the battery and stranding the vehicle.

Starting in late October 2023 I began having multiple dead batteries despite replacing the battery and having the battery tested on several occasions and it tested fine. Frustrated with the inconvenience I decided to google the problem and discovered information on the car’s DCM searching for the 3G network which no longer exists. The constant search, even when the vehicle is off causes the battery to die. I am a caregiver and my clients depend on me to be at their homes when I’m scheduled to be there. They depend on me to use the bathroom, to be fed, to be kept safe, to be transported to doctors appointments and other places among other things. My regular mechanic as well as a mechanic at Anchor Subaru both confirmed the DCM was causing the battery to drain. There was no warning at all.

My Legacy has a battery drain issue. I was told by the dealer it is a DCM. I have already replaced my battery and the car is dead with a new battery installed. This dead battery issue has left me stranded which I feel is extremely unsafe. If I can’t find someone to jump me, I could be left stranded again and New England weather is nothing to joke about.

Had to jump start the car with the original Subaru several times in 2020 and 2021, to the point that I carry a portable battery starter kit. In 2023, 1/16/23, at inspection I broke down and bought a new battery before I was aware of the recall. No problem. Come 1/1/24 I go to start my car and the battery is dead dead dead. The DiHard battery is 1 year old. I have had to jump start the car 3 times this year, and it is 1/7/24. The vehicle has 36,000 miles on it. I had the battery tested today at National Tire & Battery, where I purchased the battery on 1/16/23, and it is operating within parameters. But that's to be expected since I had driven the car there. This is not a battery issue. It has to be an electrical system issue. I have an appt. with Subaru on 1/22/24 to investigate the issue.

Subaru Starlink system constantly drains battery, leaving driver and passengers stranded. The Starlink is constantly looking for a 3G network, and my area has updated all 3G networks to 5G. After shutting car off, the Starlink will continuously search and drain battery so it will not start. The only temporary fix is to remove the fuse and disable the module. The Starlink is supposed to help in the case of an emergency, but it cannot help if the battery is dead. dealerships have acknowledged the problem but will only offer a fix for the replacement of the module for a sum of about $ 1,300.00.

The "infotainment system" screen is delaminating. I can not see my surroundings when in reverse. The system is paired with my mobile telephone and randomly calls persons in my contact list without my requesting it do so. The radio can not be turned off and it consistently makes noises as if it is attempting to scan different radio stations. These defects first appeared at 34,000 miles, well below the 36,000 mile warranty period.