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...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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“A” When using update files downloaded from Subarunet:
Click Here to Access the Downloads for Audio/Navigation Information on Subarunet

IMPORTANT: Files downloaded from Subarunet will be .zip files and must be unzipped before
they can be used.
Using the normal audio / navigation system file update download procedure: Go to Subarunet, select
Service Operations and Technical>>Forms/Downloads>>Downloads for Audio/Navi then click on
the applicable Hyperlink to download the file(s) to your SDS Notebook or PC:
“BASE-17-18 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2018”
“MID-17-18 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2018”
“HIGH-17-18 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2018”

•

Go to Downloads.

•

CAUTION: After download is complete, NEVER change the file or folder names.

•

Once the files have been downloaded from Subarunet, click on the Downloads folder and then
sort by Date Modified to bring the most recent files to the top of the list.

•

Open / display the contents of File folder, for example (BASE-17-18 Impreza-18 Crosstrek18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2018).

•

Click on “Extract All Files”.

•

From the dialog box, browse to My Documents then click on “Extract”.

•

Double-click on the required file (for this example, select the file entitled “BASE-1718 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATENOVEMBER 2018”).

•

Copy ONLY the “update” folder then paste (or click / drag) it to the “clean” USB flash drive
as listed (Removable Disk) in the directory.

•

To avoid confusion, label the flash drive with the file contents (e.g. BASE 3.0, MID 3.0 or
HIGH 3.0).

•

Go to Step 4.

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Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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“B” When using update files sent directly from Nuspire:
•

Go to My Documents on the GUI screen to display the list of available update files shown
below.

•

CAUTION: After download is complete, NEVER change the file or folder names.

•

Sort by Date Modified to bring the most recent files to the top of the list. The folder is named:
_Harman Audio-Navi Update Files.

•

Double-click on the required file (for this example, select the file entitled “BASE-17-18
Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATENOVEMBER 2018”) and the update file will display as shown.

•

Select the update folder and either copy / paste or click / drag it to the USB flash drive.

NOTE: Do not copy the entire “BASE-17-18 …” File folder. Copy ONLY the File folder named
“update” to the flash drive
•

Once the folder named “update” is loaded onto the USB flash drive, right click on the drive
and select “Eject”.

•

Remove the USB flash drive after the prompt appears that says “Safe to Remove Hardware”.

•

Mark the USB to indicate the head unit it will update (BASE in this example).

•

Repeat the above steps to create the MID and HIGH USB flash drives as needed using a
separate USB drive for each update folder.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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STEP 4- IMPORTANT: Confirm the update folder on the USB flash drive is for the head unit being
reprogrammed ONLY. NEVER install multiple update folders onto the same flash drive at the same
time.
• After confirmation, move to the car and either start the engine or follow the procedure as
outlined in document GR8-1100 on STIS for use of the GR8’s Power Supply Mode.

BASE-17-18 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2018

Copy ONLY the folder named “update” to the USB.

•

Never change the folder name from “update”.

•

Confirm there is only a folder named “update” on the flash drive.

CAUTION: Confirm one final time the head unit you are about to update matches the USB flash
drive you have selected. Attempting to install the incorrect update file will disable the head unit.
STEP 5- Update Installation:
IMPORTANT: Always record the customer’s radio station presets and navigation favorites (where
applicable) before proceeding further as they will most likely need to be reset once the update and
re-boot procedures are completed. In addition, some customizable system settings may need to be
reset as they may return to the default setting during the update.
•

With the engine idling (or GR8 connected), plug the flash drive into the USB Port.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the head unit does not recognize the USB flash drive during the
reprogramming process, this may be due to an incompatible Controller IC in the USB flash drive
or it is otherwise incompatible with the head unit. If this occurs, delete all files from the flash drive
and re-format it to “FAT32”, instead of “NTFS” and reload the appropriate “update” folder to the
USB flash drive. If the USB flash drive is still not recognized, please discontinue the use of that
drive and instead use a USB flash drive from a different manufacturer.

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Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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•

After the unit “authenticates” the USB flash drive, press “Next” and after the second screen is
displayed, press “Next” again.

NOTE: If an attempt is made to install the wrong “grade” file into the wrong grade head unit
(EXAMPLE: “Base” update file into a “Mid” or “High” head unit), the USB Authentication error
screen below will be displayed:

•

The current and available software version information will be displayed. The Available
Version I.D should be Rel.18.43.20.
NOTE: The displayed Available Version as shown below does not show the _U0 after the
Rel. This is normal.

•

After confirming the Available Version, press “Install Now” to start the reprogramming
process. The screen will go blank (black) for a brief period after installation begins.

•

Each of the updates (Base, Mid and High) should take less than 10 minutes to install.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

Do not leave the vehicle once the update begins as ignoring pop-up requests may lead to
battery discharge.

•

Do not touch any of the buttons on the head unit while the updating process is taking place.

•

If during the updating an error screen is displayed asking “Do you want to Retry”, press
“Retry” to restart the update.

•

Once the updating process is complete, the head unit will perform a “soft” reboot.
(NOTE: several “hard” reboots are required to fully install the update. This procedure is
covered in Step 6 below.)

•

button to
CRITICAL STEP: After the reboot process completes, press the HOME
return to the HOME screen. (NOTE: If the “install message” is displayed asking if you
want to start the update process again, press “Cancel”, press the HOME button again and
return to the HOME screen.)

STEP 6- Turn the ignition OFF, open and close the driver’s door then remove the flash drive from
the USB port. If an error screen is displayed asking “Do you want to Retry”, press “Cancel”.
IMPORTANT: Wait AT LEAST 3 MINUTES before proceeding to Step 7.
STEP 7- Verify the newly-installed Software Version ID using the following steps:
•

Turn the ignition back ON. Confirm the “SUBARU STARLINK” screen is displayed. If
“SUBARU STARLINK” screen is NOT displayed on the first screen, system did not fully
enter “sleep mode” and reboot properly. Perform Step 6 again and wait AT LEAST 3
MINUTES before proceeding.

•

In some cases, the radio presets may not appear initially.

•

From the HOME screen, touch “Settings”.

•

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

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Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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•

Confirm Software Version is now “Rel_U0.18.43.20”.

•

Press
(Home) to return to the Home screen and shut the engine OFF. Open and close the
driver’s door.

STEP 8- CRITICAL: Operation Check and Full Re-Boot Procedure:
1) Turn the ignition back ON (ACC) and confirm normal system operation.
2) Confirm the Home screen is displayed.
3) Turn the ignition OFF, open and close the driver’s door then WAIT AT LEAST 3
MINUTES to confirm the unit “times out” or “goes to sleep”.
4) Perform 1), 2) and 3) above again (a total of 5 cycles if completing WTN-74R OR only 2
cycles (1 additional cycle to Steps 1 & 2) if WTN was previously completed). If normal
to return to the Home screen and shut the ignition OFF to
operation is confirmed, press
complete the procedure.
IMPORTANT: If during this procedure, the screen goes blank (black) and the STARLINK
screen does not appear, the head unit must be replaced. THIS SHOULD BE A VERY RARE
OCCURRENCE. Contact SOA Techline should this condition occur.
STEP 9- If lost during the update process, reset the customer’s radio station presets, navigation
favorites (where applicable) and if necessary, reset the clock to complete the procedure.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

Fail
Code

PRE-CUSTOMER DELIVERY HARMAN AUDIO/NAVI UNIT REPROGRAMMING*

A031-368

0.4

ZSG-48

*Use this claim coding whenever installing the most recent software update on a New,
Un-Registered, In-Stock vehicle without a customer complaint or reported concern prior to retail
delivery for Customer Satisfaction ONLY.
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

HARMAN AUDIO/NAVI VERSION ID & OPERATION CHECKS ONLY **

B031-150

0.4

HARMAN AUDIO / NAVI UNIT REPROGRAMMING
(INCLUDES VERSION ID CHECK AND OPERATIONAL CHECKS).**

B031-268

0.6

HARMAN AUDIO/NAVI QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETION

C101-228

0.3

WTN-74R OPEN: HARMAN AUDIO / NAVI UNIT,
VERSION ID & OPERATION CHECKS ONLY

B103-110

0.4

WTN-74R OPEN: HARMAN AUDIO / NAVI UNIT REPROGRAMMING
(INCLUDES OPERATION CHECKS)

C103-118

Fail
Code

Claim
Type

ZTA-48

WC

WTN-74

RC

0.2

**Use this claim coding when installing the most recent software update with a customer complaint
or reported concern as documented on a signed Repair Order.
REMINDER: On BRZ models, this update applicable to HIGH / Navigation - equipped head units
only.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

Use Operation Number B031-150 or B031-268 for all TSB 15-211-17R -applicable Crosstrek,
Legacy, Outback and 2018MY Impreza models along with any 2017MY Impreza models which
have already had the WTN74 campaign completed.

•

Any remaining 2017MY Impreza models having an OPEN WTN-74 campaign must use the
campaign coding FIRST.

•

CRITICAL Claim Processing Update: When completing this TSB procedure OR a WTN-74R
campaign, the post-update software version number MUST be entered in the Miscellaneous
Detail field when submitting the claim.

•

A ONE-TIME charge of $50.00 can be claimed in sublet to cover the cost of the USB flash
drives.

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: 15-211-17R; Revised 01/22/19

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