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NHTSA ID Number: 10168600

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

TSB/Document Date: 2019-12-02


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.


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.

HIGH - 19 Impreza - 19 Crosstrek - 19 Legacy-Outback - 19 BRZ - 19 Forester - 19 Ascent...

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 update file
selected. Attempting to install the incorrect update file will disable the head unit.
STEP 5- Update Installation:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Review these points carefully BEFORE proceeding.
• On 2019 Legacy/Outback models equipped with versions Rel_UA.19.01.70 or Rel_UD.19.17.70,
the new software update will only correct satellite switch functionality conditions.
• On any model other than 2019 Legacy/Outback equipped with versions Rel_UA.19.01.70 or Rel_
UD.19.17.70, there will be no improvements if the current software is applied as the software
these vehicles have is already equivalent to the latest update.
• Vehicles equipped with software version Rel_U1.18.38.50, Rel4.18.11.50, Rel_U0.18.30.20,
Rel4.18.20.50, or Rel_U1.18.20.60 will receive the listed improvements when installing this
latest software update.
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
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 8 of 15

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.

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 “Base Plus or 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.19.22.70.

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: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 9 of 15

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 “SUBARUeBay logo STARLINK” screen is displayed. If
SUBARUeBay logo 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”.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 10 of 15

Confirm Software Version is now “Rel_UE.19.22.70”.

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 twice. If normal operation is confirmed, press
to the Home screen and shut the ignition OFF to complete the procedure.

to return

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.
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

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.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 11 of 15

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).**

B031-168

0.6

HARMAN AUDIO/NAVI QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETION

C101-228

0.3

Fail
Code

Claim
Type

ZTA-48

WC

**Use this coding when installing the most recent software update with a customer complaint or
reported concern as documented on a signed Repair Order.
IMPORTANT NOTES:

REMINDER: On BRZ models, this update applicable to HIGH / Navigation - equipped
head units only.

CRITICAL Claim Processing Update: When completing this TSB procedure the postupdate software version number MUST be entered in the Miscellaneous Detail field when
submitting the claim.

A ONE-TIME charge of $30.00 can be claimed in sublet to cover the cost of the USB flash
drives.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 12 of 15

“Appendix A”
The following time line and symptom list represents conditions addressed by all previous Harman 3.1
updates including the most current version as described in this bulletin.

Harman Gen 3.1 Software Update Chronology (TSB Number: 15-236-18R)
Update #

Release
Date:

NEW Version
ID #:

Map Update
Software ID #

0

7/1/2018

Rel4.18.11.50
Rel4.18.20.50
Rel_U1.18.20.60

Rel_U0.18.30.20**

1

12/5/2018

Rel_U1.18.38.50

n/a

2

3/18/2019

Rel_UA.19.01.70

Rel_UD.19.17.70**

Revised 15-236-18R, INCLUDES update #1 above and
addresses these additional conditions:
- AM/FM radio station presets are lost.
- Favorite Phone Contacts list is lost.
- previously displayed on SXM screen was changed to
(a.k.a. SEEK).
- US State names corrected when using voice guidance.
- Correction made for Pop / Crackling-type sound when using AM
radio.
- Navigation system freezes during loading / start-up.
- Music skips/cuts out while using Apple CarPlay.
- Hands-free feature freezes intermittently while loading.
- Navigation system freezes after entering a particular address
using Voice Recognition.
- The voice guidance volume no longer changes After Ignition
Off/On. Once the Voice Guidance has been muted, the system
retains that setting even after switching the ignition Off/On.
- Invalid Destination Code message appears on the display while
listening to the radio.
- Spanish version FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) translation
corrected.
- Mismatch of Speed Limit between Navigation display and the
Speed Limit displayed in the Combination Meter Multi-Function
Display (MFD).

3

8/16/2019

Rel_UE.19.22.70

Rel_UE.19.25.70**

Revised 15-236-18R, INCLUDES updates #1 & #2
above and addresses these additional conditions:
- The steering wheel satellite controls for the audio/
navigation system (other than volume control) and the
audio/ navigation head unit hard buttons (other than
volume control) may become inoperative intermittently.
- The setting for scheduling charging will terminate (Only
Crosstrek HybrideBay logo).

Conditions Addressed:

- Station presets are lost
- Addition of the security enhancement

** NOTE: These Map Update Software I.D. numbers contain the same functional updates as the corresponding New Version I.D. numbers.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 13 of 15

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If the vehicle’s audio / navigation head unit already contains the software version listed in the
information below (or a later one) and is experiencing a similar condition as described here,
installing the most current software will most likely not resolve it. In that case, do not attempt a
software update. Please complete a Harman Questionnaire on this new condition and follow the
applicable Harman diagnostic Service Bulletin for the condition and/or follow the related Service
Manual diagnosis procedures.

If the condition is as described below and the software version is prior to the software version
referenced as correcting this condition, then it is appropriate to apply the latest software update as
found in this bulletin as it will most likely resolve the condition.

Conditions Addressed By Update #3:
1) Steering wheel satellite switches (other than volume control) and head unit hard buttons (other
than volume control) may become inoperative at times.
2) For Crosstrek HybrideBay logo, the charging scheduler function has been eliminated.
Conditions Addressed By Update #2:
1) AM/FM radio station presets are lost.
2) Favorite Phone Contacts list is lost.

3) previously displayed on SXM screen was changed to (a.k.a. SEEK).

4) US State names corrected when using voice guidance.
5) Correction made for Pop / Crackling-type sound when using AM radio.
6) Navigation system freezes during loading / start-up.
7) Music skips/cuts out while using Apple CarPlay.
8) Hands-free feature freezes intermittently while loading.
9) Navigation system freezes after entering a particular address using Voice Recognition.
NOTE: All other functions are not affected.
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 14 of 15

10) The voice guidance volume no longer changes After Ignition Off/On. Once the Voice Guidance
has been muted, the system retains that setting even after switching the ignition Off/On.
11) Invalid Destination Code message appears on the display while listening to the radio.

12) Spanish version FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) translation corrected.
13) Mismatch of Speed Limit between Navigation display and the Speed Limit displayed in the
Combination Meter Multi-Function Display (MFD).

Conditions Addressed In Prior Update #1:
1) Station presets are lost. Touch buttons read “Hold”. (Applicable for software versions
Rel_4.18.25.50 (or before)). Included in software version Rel_U1.18.38.50.

2) A security enhancement was included in the November 2018 update. (Applicable for software
versions Rel_4.18.25.50 (or before)). Included in software version Rel_U1.18.38.50.

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: 15-236-18R; Revised: 10/01/19

Page 15 of 15

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TSB/Document ID: 15-236-18R

Replacement Service Bulletin Number:

MFR Communication Date: 2019-11-08

MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:

Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

NHTSA Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

MFR Component System:

MFR Component Subsystem:


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