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NHTSA ID Number: 10144884

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-226-18

TSB/Document Date: 2018-10-01


Summary

This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns regarding USB functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern


ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2018 SubarueBay logo of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

q
q

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

All Models with Harman Audio / Infotainment
USB Functionality Concerns and Troubleshooting

NUMBER: 15-226-18
DATE: 08/21/08

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns regarding
USB functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it
gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not
be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow
based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail
while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand
the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual
“Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
1) Always confirm the condition as reported by the customer.
2) This section addresses USB detection symptoms.
a. Confirm the USB is recognized (USB icon appears) on the Media screen as shown in the
figure below.

Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
SubarueBay logo Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 15-226-18; Date: 08/21/18

SubarueBay logo of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the internationaleBay logo standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Page 1 of 3

b. If the USB is not recognized, follow Service Diagnostic Mode from the Service Manual:
i. Turn the ignition switch to ACC.
ii. Press the “TUNE/SCROLL” button six times while pressing the “HOME” button.
1. SERVICE INSPECTION:
a.

CONNECTION
i. On Service Menu, press “Connection” to display the list of items.
ii. OK : Each device is connected properly.
iii. NG: Connection is not established, or connection status (possibly
including the related harness) is faulty.
NOTES:
• The USB connection showing “NG” when no USB
device is connected to USB ports is normal.

If the concern involves “CarPlay not working”, make
sure a genuine Apple cable is used. In some cases,
aftermarket cables may cause connection issues.

If the concern involves “Android Auto not working”,
try using another cable since Android phones do not
require use of a genuine cable.

c. Do other USB devices work in the suspect vehicle? If yes, check the USB device’s
operation in another like vehicle.
d. Please provide detailed information regarding the USB device (brand, device type, file
system, types of files on device, etc.).
3) This section addresses issues related to Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto not launching
consistently due to poor connectivity to USB Media. Affected models and head units are:

2017-18MY Impreza (MID, HIGH)

2018MY Crosstrek (MID, HIGH)

2018MY Legacy/Outback (MID, HIGH)

New firmware was released during late 2017 to enhance connectivity for Auxiliary Terminal part
numbers: 86257FL00A and 86257FL101 (MID, HIGH).
NOTE: The BASE model utilizes a different Auxilliary Terminal part number which is not affected.
How to determine if the Auxiliary Terminal is pre- or post-countermeasure (CM):

CAREFULLY peel off the QR code / part number label.

Check the Lot# as shown below. If the number is after “7411” it is post-CM.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-226-18; Date: 08/21/18

Page 2 of 3

4) If the above steps do not resolve the customer’s concern with USB functionality, complete a
fresh Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire documenting the customer’s concern and
the results of each diagnostic step in this bulletin. If possible, capture a video of the condition
then contact the SOA Techline to review the next steps. Techline will request you send the
completed questionnaire, step-by-step bulletin test results and any videos of the condition.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active SubarueBay logo
Added Security Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

Fail Code

H/U Type

HARMAN USB TROUBLESHOOTING

A850-873

0.5

ZLI-43

Base, Mid & High

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 15-226-18; Date: 08/21/18

Page 3 of 3

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TSB/Document ID: 15-226-18

Replacement Service Bulletin Number:

MFR Communication Date: 2018-08-21

MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:

Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

NHTSA Components: EQUIPMENT

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