NHTSA ID Number: 10154205
Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R
TSB/Document Date: 2019-03-11
Summary
The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 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.
ATTENTION:
CLAIMS PERSONNEL q
IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
© 2018 Subaru
of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER
q
q
SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
All 2019MY Vehicles
NUMBER: 15-236-18R
SUBJECT:
Reprogramming File Availability for
Optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and
Navigation Head Units
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 01/07/19
INTRODUCTION:
The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update
installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 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, request an exchange unit.
•
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.
•
NOTE: On BRZ models, this update applicable to HIGH / Navigation - equipped head units
only.
Model
Legacy
Outback
Impreza 4-Door
Impreza 5-Door
Crosstrek
BRZ*
Forester
Ascent
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
These updates (November 2018) apply to the models listed
above equipped with Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation
head units only.
The latest software version (including all available updates)
was incorporated into production per the starting VIN table
to the right:
Starting VIN
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
*HIGH / Navigation - equipped head units
only
Continued...
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.
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
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.
Page 1 of 12
PART INFORMATION:
Multimedia System Type
Descriptive Features
6.5 Inch Display Audio System (Base)
No CD slot / Eject Button
6.5 Inch Display Audio System (Base +)
Equipped with CD Player and Eject Button
8.0 Inch Display Audio System (Mid)
Phone Button
8.0 Inch Audio / Navigation System (High)
Map Button but no Phone Button
Reference photos of each head unit faceplate are supplied below:
BASE +
Uses MID
update file
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
Page 2 of 12
Materials Required:
An empty, USB 2.0 or 3.0 storage device (flash drive) will be needed to perform the update
procedure. The device should be dedicated to storing and transferring these updating files only. It
must be a minimum of 16GB or more in size and contain a NTFS file format before downloading the
update files onto it.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•
NEVER change the update file names after downloading them.
•
NEVER save any other files on the same flash drive.
There are various types of USB flash drive available from many suppliers. If the head unit does
NOT recognize the USB drive during the reprogramming process, due to Controller IC type of USB
drive or Compatibility with the head unit, clear the file and re-format the flash drive for “FAT32” as
outlined below in Step 2 instead of “NTFS”. If a recognition problem persists, use a USB flash drive
from another manufacturer.
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
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
Page 3 of 12
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
These update files include operational enhancements to address the following two (2) customer
concerns:
1)- Station presets are lost. The touch button reads “Hold”.
2)- The update also includes a security enhancement.
Step 1- Software Version Confirmation From the HOME screen, touch “Settings”.
After starting the engine, from the HOME screen, touch “Settings”.
•
From the Settings screen, scroll down to and then touch “System Information”.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
Page 4 of 12
•
The currently installed software version will be displayed. If the Software Version is
Rel4.18.25.50 (or before) proceed to Step 2. This version number is the same for all 4 levels
of head unit.
VERY IMPORTANT: If the Current Version is Rel_U1.18.38.50, STOP as the latest version is
already installed. Proceed directly to Step 5.
STEP 2- Prepare the USB:
CAUTION: Do not use any USB flash drive which utilizes file organizing software or an operating
system.
VERY IMPORTANT: Before attempting to download any data files, confirm the PC and flash drive
being used is not infected with any virus. The flash drive MUST be formatted for NTFS .
•
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.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
Page 5 of 12
STEP 3- Download the Update Files to the USB:
VERY IMPORTANT: When updating a “Base +” head unit, the “MID” update files must be used.
The 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.
“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-19 Impreza-19 Crosstrek 19 Crosstrek--Hybrid-19 Legacy-Outback-19 BRZ-19 Forester-19
Ascent-19 WRX-19 HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE- NOVEMBER 2018
MID-19 Impreza-19 Crosstrek 19 Crosstrek--Hybrid-19 Legacy-Outback-19 BRZ-19 Forester-19
Ascent-19 WRX-19 HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE- NOVEMBER 2018
HIGH-19 Impreza-19 Crosstrek 19 Crosstrek--Hybrid-19 Legacy-Outback-19 BRZ-19 Forester-19
Ascent-19 WRX-19 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-19 Impreza-19 Crosstrek
19 Crosstrek--Hybrid-19 Legacy-Outback-19 BRZ-19 Forester-19 Ascent-19 WRX-19
HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE- NOVEMBER 2018).
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 01/07/19
Page 6 of 12
•
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-19
Impreza-19 Crosstrek 19 Crosstrek--Hybrid-19 Legacy-Outback-19 BRZ-19 Forester-19
Ascent-19 WRX-19 HARMAN AUDIO UPDATE- NOVEMBER 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.
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TSB/Document ID: 15-236-18R
Replacement Service Bulletin Number:
MFR Communication Date: 2019-01-07
MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:
Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NHTSA Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MFR Component System:
MFR Component Subsystem:
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