2018 Subaru Outback

Our Subaru backup camera screen is suffering from a factory defect delamination issue which has caused the screen to become hazy and difficult to see. In daylight, the screen is often completely obscured by the defect. Subaru issued a warranty extension from 2020 to 2023 due to class action litigation regarding this issue, but we were never made aware of the extension. Subaru has refused to repair this factory safety defect simply claiming it is out of warranty.

The infotainment head unit in my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced internal adhesive delamination, resulting in frequent "ghost touches" and unpredictable system malfunctions that pose a severe safety hazard. Most critically, the backup camera display intermittently disappears or freezes while the vehicle is in reverse, causing a total loss of rear visibility during low-speed maneuvering. While the vehicle is in motion, the unit executes unauthorized commands without driver input, including making random outgoing phone calls to my contacts, switching screens away from the GPS navigation during active routing, and cycling through radio stations and apps at high volumes. These uncommanded actions create extreme driver distraction and a loss of access to essential vehicle safety interfaces. The failure is persistent and prevents the reliable use of mandated safety equipment and navigation.

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle, the brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. While returning to the vehicle after the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start due to a safety feature that disabled the starter when the brake lights failed to operate as designed. An AAA-certified mechanic was called, and after inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic diagnosed that the brake indicator switch had failed, causing the rear brake lights to fail to illuminate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V149000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

The head unit (infotainment system) in my vehicle is experiencing delamination, where the screen is peeling, separating, or forming bubbles. This causes: •Touchscreen malfunctions, making it difficult or impossible to operate controls such as audio, climate, navigation, and backup camera. •Distraction risk while driving due to unresponsive or erratic screen behavior. •Intermittent failure of vehicle systems that rely on the infotainment interface, increasing potential safety hazards. This is a known defect affecting multiple 2018 Subaru Outbacks and can occur even in properly maintained vehicles. The defect reduces safe operability of the vehicle while driving. Request / Action: I am submitting this complaint to ensure NHTSA is aware of this potential safety issue and to assist in any investigation or recall consideration. Additional Information: •Dealer attempts to repair or replace the head unit were declined. •The issue is reproducible and ongoing.

The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Outback has developed severe screen delamination and now generates persistent “ghost touch” inputs. The screen registers touches without any driver interaction. While the vehicle is in motion, the system frequently activates functions on its own, including changing audio sources, adjusting settings, and opening menus. This occurs repeatedly and unpredictably. Because many vehicle functions are controlled through the touchscreen interface, the malfunction creates a significant driver distraction. The system may rapidly change screens or activate controls while I am driving, which forces me to divert my attention from the road to attempt to correct or override the inputs. The problem appears to be related to failure of the touchscreen hardware rather than normal wear. Numerous other Subaru owners have reported similar issues with delamination and ghost inputs in vehicles equipped with the Starlink infotainment system. Given that this malfunction results in unintended electronic inputs affecting vehicle controls and creates a driver distraction while the vehicle is in motion, I believe it represents a potential safety concern that warrants investigation. The manufacturer has been contacted but declined goodwill repair assistance for the defective infotainment unit. I am submitting this report so the issue can be documented and evaluated as a potential safety defect affecting Subaru vehicles equipped with this infotainment system.