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 - 2017-18MY Impreza-Crosstrek Harman Audio Update 11-2017”
“MID - 2017-18MY Impreza-Crosstrek Harman Audio Update 11-2017”
“HIGH - 2017-18MY Impreza-Crosstrek Harman Audio Update 11-2017”
•

Go to Downloads.

•

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-2017-18 Impreza- Crosstrek
Harman Audio Update 11-2017.

•

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 “BASE- 2017-MY
Impreza-Crosstrek Harman Audio Update 11-2017”).

•

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, MID or HIGH).

•

Go to Step 3.

“B” When using update files sent directly from Nuspire:
NOTE: When using the files pushed down to the SDS Notebook by Nuspire, the steps are
similar but no file extraction is required as the Nuspire files are not zipped. Navigate to
My Documents and open the _Harman Audio-Navi Update Files (NOTE: Don’t forget to include
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Bulletin Number: WTN-74R; Revised 06/08/21

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the underscore “_” with no space before Harman...) folder to locate the BASE, MID, or HIGH
folder as needed. Open the selected folder and copy the “update” folder ONLY to the USB flash
drive for use.
• 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 here.

•

Double-click on the required file (for this example, select the file entitled “BASE- 201718MY Impreza-Crosstrek Harman Audio Update 11-2017”) and the update file will display as
shown.

•

Click on the Update file and either copy / paste or click / drag it to the USB flash drive.

•

NOTE: Do not copy the entire “2017MY Impreza…” 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.

STEP 3- Load just the folder named Update onto the USB flash drive for the head unit type
(example 2017 Impreza Base) being updated.:
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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 flash drive during the reprogramming process, re-format the flash drive in
FAT32 using above process instead of NTFS as previously specified. If the USB flash drive is still
not recognized, use a USB flash drive from different supplier.
STEP 4- IMPORTANT: Confirm the update folder on the USB flash drive is for the head unit being
reprogrammed ONLY. Do not install all three 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.

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

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

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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.
•

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

•

The current and available software version information will be displayed. The available
Version I.D should be “Rel2.17.43.20”. This version number is the same for all three levels
of head unit.

Rel2.17.43.20

•

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

•

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:
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•

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”.

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•

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

•

Confirm Software Version is now “Rel2.17.43.20”.

Rel2.17.43.20

•

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

STEP 8- Operation Check Procedure:
NOTE: These are also known as “Hard” Reboot Procedures- These are REQUIRED steps.
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 the and close the Driver’s door WAIT AT LEAST 3
MINUTES to confirm the unit “times out” or “goes to sleep”. This is the “hard” reboot.
4) Perform 1), 2) and 3) above another again (5 cycles total). If normal operation is
to return to the HOME screen and shut the ignition OFF to complete the
confirmed, press
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.
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.

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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
HARMAN AUDIO / NAVI UNIT, VERSION ID &
OPERATION CHECKS ONLY
HARMAN AUDIO / NAVI UNIT
REPROGRAMMING (INC. OPERATION CHECKS)

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

B103-110

0.4

C103-118

Fail
Code

Claim
Type

WTN-74

RC

0.2

IMPORTANT: CRITICAL Claim Process Update: When completing the WTN-74 campaign, the
post-update software version MUST be entered into the Miscellaneous Detail field when submitting
the claim. This also applies when completing a post WTN warranty claim for installation of this
update.
NOTE: 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.

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