Open / display the contents of File folder “_Harman Audio-Navi Update Files”.

•

Click on “Extract All Files”.

•

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

•

Open / display the contents of the 6 related Update File folders.

•

Double-click on the required file (for this example, select the file entitled “HIGH-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.

“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.

•

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. It contains the six folders shown in the
EXAMPLE photos below.

•

Double-click on the required file (for this example, select the file entitled “HIGH-1718 Impreza-18 Crosstrek-18-Legacy-Outback-18-BRZ-HARMAN AUDIO UPDATENOVEMBER 2018”) and the Update file will display as shown.

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Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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•

Click on the Update file and either copy / paste or click / drag it to the USB 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 “WTZ-85” to indicate the head unit it will update (HIGH in this example).

Step 4- IMPORTANT: Install the update folder for the head unit being reprogrammed ONLY. Do
not install all three update folders onto the same flash drive at the same time.
NOTE: Do not copy the entire File folder.

Copy ONLY the File folder named “Update” to the USB flash drive.

•

After the download is complete, NEVER change the folder names.

•

To avoid confusion, label the flash drive with the file contents (e.g. WTZ-85 / HIGH).

•

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

•

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.

CAUTION: Confirm one final time the head unit you are about to update matches with 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, volume and Driver Profile
settings before proceeding further. The customer’s radio station presets and volume settings will
likely need to be reset once the update and re-boot procedures are completed.

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Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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Always press > to move the screen and reveal all the selected
presets so they can be recorded and reset after update is complete.

Also check and record the Driver Profile and Volume settings.

•

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

•

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

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Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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•

The current and available software version information will be displayed. The Available
Version I.D should be Rel_UO.18.43.20.

Rel_U0.18.43.20

•

After confirming the Available Version, press “Install Now” to start the reprogramming
process.

NOTES:
•

The screen will go blank (black) for a brief period after installation begins.

•

If a “Do you want to retry” is displayed, press Retry to restart the update.

•

The update should take less than 20 minutes to complete.

IMPORTANT CAUTION: To avoid possible head unit damage, always confirm the update file on
the USB flash drive being used matches the head unit being updated (e.g. a BASE update file is being
installed into a BASE head unit). The files are NOT interchangeable between the 3 different audio
unit types.
•

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 reboot automatically.

•

After the reboot completes, press the HOME

button to 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.

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Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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Step 7- Verify the newly-installed Software Version ID using the following steps:
•

Turn the ignition back ON. The STARLINK screen should be displayed. If the STARLINK
screen is not displayed, perform Step 5 again and be sure to 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”.

•

Confirm Software Version is now “Rel_UO.18.43.20”.

Rel_U0.18.43.20

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Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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•

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.
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.
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 2) cycles. If normal operation is confirmed,
to return to the Home screen and shut the ignition OFF to complete the procedure.
press
Step 9- If lost during the update process, reset the customer’s radio station presets, volume and
Driver Profile settings and if necessary, reset the clock to complete the procedure.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Credit to perform this recall will be based on properly completed repair order information. Retailers
may submit claims through Subarunet.com.
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

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

A128-828

0.4

VERSION ID CHECK ONLY

A128-820

0.2

Recall/
Campaign
Code

Claim
Type

WTZ-85

RC

WTZ-85

RC

Use the following coding ONLY WHEN REPLACING the Head Unit:
HARMAN HEAD UNIT R&R & VERSION ID CHECK*

A128-830

0.6

HARMAN HEAD UNIT R&R & REPROGRAMMING**

A128-838

0.7

*Use this coding when an exchange Head Unit is required because of inability to reprogram due to blank or black screen.
**Use this coding when the exchange unit received does not have the latest software version already installed.

REMINDER: The software Version ID MUST always be confirmed as being the latest available
following installation of a replacement Head Unit.
IMPORTANT: CRITICAL Claim Process Update: When completing the WTZ-85 campaign,
the post-update software version number MUST be entered in the Miscellaneous Detail field when
submitting the claim.
Continued...
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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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to the VIN below

Subaru of America, Inc
PO Box 9103
Camden, NJ 08101-9877
844-373-6614
www.subaru.com

Subaru Recall WTZ-85
January 2019
Dear Subaru Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that certain 2018 model year Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles equipped with a
certain combination of Harman Kardon audio system display hardware and software may fail to conform to Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, “Rear Visibility.”
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
Due to a software related issue, the audio system display memory retrieval and assembly time may exceed the designed time
to begin the boot-up cycle. If this occurs, the audio system display will not boot, causing the screen to remain blank. In this
condition, while backing the vehicle, the rearview image may not be displayed.
The failure to display the rearview image creates a noncompliance with the requirements of FMVSS 111 – “Rear Visibility,”
increasing the risk of a crash.
WHAT SUBARU WILL DO
Subaru will reprogram the Harman Kardon audio system display software with an updated version in your vehicle at no charge
to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment to have the audio system display software updated
in your vehicle, free of charge.
Until this repair is performed, please use caution when driving in reverse if the rearview image is not displayed. You
should always check the rear view and the surrounding area by turning your head rearward and/or using the mirrors
and move backward at a slow speed.
CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU?
If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us. Or if you prefer to
update this information online, please go to www.subaru.com, select ‘Customer Support,’ then select ‘Address Update’ or
‘Ownership Update’ from the drop-down menu.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The time to perform this software update is approximately 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a
longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling.

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IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR
If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement
consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would charge for the same repair.
Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at the time of
repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone
number to the address listed below.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer-Retailer Services Department, Attention: WTZ-85 Recall
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877
Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process
your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 60 days for this process to be completed.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru retailer, you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select ‘Find a
Retailer.’
For additional information, please go to: http://www.wtz85.service-campaign.com.
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
•

By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”

•

By telephone: 1-844-373-6614

•

Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

•

By U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc.
Attn: Customer-Retailer Services Department
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877

To subscribe to the NHTSA Recall Notification email System, please go to: https://wwwodi.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions.
Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge.
You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE,
Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to
http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to remedy your vehicle without charge within a
reasonable amount of time.
Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest
of your safety and your vehicle’s proper operation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause and
urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.

Notice to Lessors: Under Federal law the lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter must provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s)

within 10 business days from receipt. The lessor must also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the
applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For the purposes of this section, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve
months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle’s title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A
leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.)

A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION
Bulletin Number: WTZ-85R; Revised: 03/12/19

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