ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

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

SERVICE MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2017-18MY Impreza
NUMBER: 15-211-17R
2018MY Crosstrek DATE: 06/13/17
2018MY Legacy and Outback
REVISED: 08/27/18
2018MY BRZ
SUBJECT:

Reprogramming File Availability for Additional
Optimization of Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation
Head Units
INTRODUCTION:
The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update
installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3 Audio and Navigation head
units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the
software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring
them onto a flash drive for head unit installation. It is VERY IMPORTANT to read and understand
this information completely to understand all changes from prior releases before proceeding.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

If a vehicle presents with a current blank or black screen condition, perform a capacitive
discharge FIRST to see if head unit can be recovered. If head unit function is recovered, proceed
with installation of the version 4 software. Version 4 software will prevent recurrence of this
condition. If the software update cannot be installed for any reason after head unit recovery,
request an exchange unit. If head unit does NOT recover following capacitive discharge, an
exchange unit will need to be requested and installed.

•

The number of update files for these vehicles has been reduced from a total of six (6) files to just
three (3) due to software consolidation.

•

Be sure to locate and re-format any existing USB drives used for updating Harman audio units in
order to fully clear them before adding these new files to them.

CAUTION: NEVER attempt to install this software on any
2019 MY vehicles as they are equipped with Gen 3.1 Audio/
Navigation systems. This update is ONLY for models equipped
with Gen 3.0 Audio/ Navigation systems. Should an attempt be
made to install any of these files into a Gen 3.1 head unit, the
authentication error screen to the right will be displayed.
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru 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.

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
ISO 14001 COMPLIANT
ISO 14001 is the international 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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 1 of 17

PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
These latest updates (July 2018) apply to the models listed above equipped with Harman Gen 3.0
Audio and Navigation head units only. They include all previous enhancements implemented in all
prior software updates INCLUDING the previously released WTN-74R updates. Therefore, if
WTN-74R is still open, these latest updates will continue to satisfy the campaign. See the
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION section at the end of this bulletin for further instructions.
Multimedia System Type

Descriptive Features

6.5 Inch Display Audio System (Base)

No CD slot / Eject Button

8.0 Inch Display Audio System (Mid)

Phone Button

8.0 Inch Audio / Navigation System (High)

Map Button but no Phone Button

2018MY Legacy and Outback Harman Audio / Navigation system Faceplate images

BASE
NO CD Player

MID
PHONE Button

HIGH
MAP Button

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 2 of 17

Materials Required:
6- 16GB (MINIMUM) USB 2.0 or 3.0 flash drives which are readily available at most office
supply retailers will be needed to perform these updates.
Recommended Flash Drives:
•

Kingston®: Data Traveler G3, G4, SE9 or the Hyper-X Series

•

SanDisk®: Cruzer Series, Ultra Flair

•

Transcend®: JetFlash 300, 600 or 790

•

Verbatim®: Store ‘n’ Go

NOTES:
• The USB flash drives can be USB 2.0 or 3.0.
•

The USB flash drive MUST be reformatted to NTFS before loading any files to it. NTFS is
not the standard format on most USB flash drives.

•

The update files are not overly large but, during the reprogramming procedure, the head unit
backs up some files to the USB drive. For this reason, sufficient USB drive memory size is
required, especially for the High / Navigation units.

•

The flash drives should be dedicated to storing these reprogramming files only. Do NOT
use any flash drives which contains or requires the use of file management, encryption, file
backup or other software to function properly.

•

Re-format (see Step 2) any prior USBs you may have used for WTN -74R as that version of
software must no longer be installed. This update includes all WTN -74R updates.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 3 of 17

The July 2018 software update files include the following new operational enhancements:
•

On 2018MY Legacy / Outback models with Navigation (High) head units, the update corrects a
condition where the head unit remains powered even after the ignition is OFF and the driver door
is opened.

•

Corrects for a condition where the SXM presets become lost and only “Initializing” appears as
shown below.

•

Corrects for condition where only the star field background is displayed (without icons) after the
HOME button is pressed.

•

Corrects for a “Pop” or “Crackling“ sound concern when listening to AM radio.

•

Corrects for a concern of the head unit continually resetting itself.

•

Corrects for a concern of after selecting a contact to be a “Favorite” and the “Favorite” list
display is blank.

List is blank

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 4 of 17

•

Operation of the head unit after switching the ignition off and back on has been revised:
PREVIOUS Version: The head unit power is turned OFF by pressing the Power/Volume knob
for 4 or more seconds. On the next ignition ON, the display remains OFF / black while the audio
begins playing automatically. This was the prior characteristic operation.
NEW Version: The head unit power is turned OFF by pressing the Power/Volume knob for 4 or
more seconds. On the next ignition ON, the display remains OFF / black and the audio will also
be OFF until the Power/Volume knob is pressed to turn the head unit back ON.
NOTE:

•

•

The Mute function of the Power / Volume knob (a brief press and release of the Power /
Volume knob to mute audio output) is unchanged.

•

A “system reboot” function is initiated by pressing and holding the Power / Volume button for
10 seconds. This feature was included as part of the previous (11/2017) software update.

An enhancement of Voice Recognition feature has been made for improved HVAC system
interface and recognition of temperatures requested in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. EXAMPLE:
“Set temperature to 75.” With the previous version, the system interpreted “75” as degrees
Celsius which would have been 167 degrees Fahrenheit and outside system parameters. As a
result, there was no response from the HVAC system.

Additional Symptoms and Enhancements addressed by previous updates and also included in
this latest (July 2018) update:
1- No streaming audio. When using the Pandora® app, there is no audio output.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 5 of 17

2- “Media is loading” is displayed on the screen but, the media never completes loading.

3- The screen freezes when the STARLINK screen is displayed.

NOTE: The following conditions were addressed in the previous software version update
(and WTN-74R) but, this one update incorporates all prior updates.
1- Radio station presets disappear (touch screen buttons return to “Initializing”).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 6 of 17

2- STARLINK “Telematics Service in Progress” screen freezes.

3- Apple Car Play / Android Auto function does not operate (“No Device Connected”).

4- The complete guidance route can be displayed.
5- A Longitude and Latitude search feature has been added.
6- A “Beep” notification feature has been added for driving time and rest periods.
For reference, the previously released WTN-74R symptoms are also provided below. The main
purpose of WTN-74R was to address display screen freeze-up during Back-Up Camera display (when
the shifter is in “R”). In addition, the screen may also freeze when either the Subaru STARLINK or
Disclaimer Caution / I Agree screen is displayed.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

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The previously released WTN-74R updates also addressed these additional operational conditions:
1) After switching the vehicle (ACC or IGN) on, the display screen goes black with no audio output
and the hard key buttons are illuminated (on solid, or flashing / blinking).

2) Time of day displayed in the MFD (Multi-Function Display) is incorrect and the arrival time
displayed in Navigation units is also incorrect.

3) The time in the MFD automatically reverts to a “default” setting, even after setting the time using
“Manual” mode.
4) Audio volume goes to maximum automatically after one click of the volume up button on the
steering wheel. In some cases, this condition may also occur without input from the operator.
Maximum volume is also displayed on the screen.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 8 of 17

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
Affected Vehicles / Audio Units:
Vehicle Model

2017-18MY Impreza &
2018MY Crosstrek

Audio Unit Type (High, Mid, Base)

Audio Unit
Part Number

NAVIGATION (HIGH)

86271FL60A

8-Inch Display Audio (MID)
6.5-Inch Display Audio (BASE)
NAVIGATION (HIGH)

2018MY Legacy /
Outback

2018MY BRZ

8-Inch Display Audio (MID)

86201FL62A
86201FL63A
86201FL60A
86201FL61A
86471AL65A
86471AL66A
86431AL65A
86431AL66A

6.5-Inch Display Audio (BASE)

86431AL61A

NAVIGATION (HIGH)

86271CA660

STEP 1- Verify the currently installed Software Version ID using the following steps:
•

After starting the engine, from the HOME screen, touch “Settings”.

•

From the Settings > General screen, scroll down to and then touch “System Information”.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 08/27/18

Page 9 of 17

•

Confirm the current Software Version ID. If the Current Version is Rel_U0.18.22.20 STOP
as this latest update has already been installed.

STEP 2- Prepare the USB:
CAUTION: Do not use any USB flash drive which utilizes file organizing software or an
operating system.
•

Make sure the USB flash drive contains no other files.

•

Right click on the corresponding “Removable Disk”.

•

Select “Format”.

•

From the File System drop-down menu, select “NTFS”

•

Check the “Quick Format” box (if not already done).

•

Click on “Start” to format the USB flash drive.

STEP 3The files are available for download on Subarunet (see “A” below).
The applicable reprogramming files have also been sent directly to retailers by Nuspire in the same
way a Select Monitor Update would be pushed out. (see “B” below).
Follow “A” when using files downloaded from Subarunet.
Follow “B” when using the files sent directly to the SDS notebook from Nuspire.
Continued...