NHTSA ID Number: 11009692
Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-270-20R
TSB/Document Date: 2024-11-04
Summary
This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed.
ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
q
PARTS MANAGER
q
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
q
IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
q
© 2020 Subaru
of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
2020-2022MY Outback & Legacy
2022-2023MY BRZ
2022-2023MY WRX
NUMBER: 15-270-20R
SUBJECT:
FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) Reprogramming for DENSO Gen 4
Audio / Navigation Infotainment Systems
DATE: 8/19/2020
REVISED: 10/15/24
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the
Denso Gen 4 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed above. Firmware-overthe-air (FOTA) is a process where remote devices can receive updates to their operating firmware.
This process has become second nature with smartphones, tablets and many other connected
devices. FOTA for automotive infotainment systems was designed with an emphasis on customer
convenience. FOTA updates provide regular enhancements along with software patches as needed
to enhance the customer experience. The convenience factor comes not only with the supply of
regular updates and the enhancements they provide, but through customer control of when these
updates are downloaded and installed. The only requirement is a secure Wi-Fi connection through a
home network or the use of a secure Wi-Fi hotspot to create a connection to the update server. Once
connected, customers can easily obtain and install any available FOTA update to their infotainment
system. FOTA operation is conducted in two steps: download (from the server to the vehicle via
Wi-Fi) and installation (internal to CP1 system in the vehicle). This bulletin will focus on FOTA for
Denso Gen 4 audio systems (MID) and audio-navigation systems (HIGH) which utilize the 11.6-inch
touch-screen display. Models with 7-inch dual screen display (Base) are not FOTA capable.
This bulletin outlines the procedure for performing FOTA updates successfully. These procedures
involve:
•
Assisting customers with FOTA -related concerns if they have been unsuccessful in performing
the FOTA by themselves. (Possible vehicle or system concern.) *
•
Performing the FOTA update for customers who are not comfortable or need assistance with
performing it themselves but have requested the Retailer install it*
•
Updating the firmware using a USB flash drive by following the steps outlined in TSB 15-26120R “Reprogramming File Availability for Optimization of Gen 4 Denso CP1 Infotainment
Systems” when FOTA cannot be performed due to the setup difficulties*.
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.
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.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-270-20R; Revised: 10/15/24
Page 1 of 45
* NOTE: If a customer is simply requesting help with how to perform FOTA, NEVER share a copy
of this bulletin. Instead, provide a copy of the appropriate customer instructions for FOTA available
on Subarunet: Service Operations & Technical > Forms/Downloads page. See Appendix A later in
this bulletin for more information.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to read and understand this information completely before proceeding.
NOTES:
•
REMINDER: FOTA is available for MID and HIGH (Navi) systems with 11.6-inch display only.
•
The currently available FOTA firmware version is not the same version available to Retailers
for USB updating use. However, a system updated using FOTA can be further updated by using
the USB update procedure. For additional details clarifying the scope of FOTA updates, review
the 20MY Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual Supplement’s additional information for the Center
Information Display. The information is also be downloadable from: https://www.subaru.com/
owners/index.html See Appendix B below for more information.
•
FOTA updates are for the system firmware ONLY. Map updates are a separate function which the
customer may update on their own by using either USB download or Map Over the Air Update
(MOTA). Go to: subaru-maps.com for more information.
Reference photos of each system faceplate are supplied below:
Base
Mid/ High
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
The FOTA update process involves downloading and installing the update firmware therefore,
time duration depends on signal strength and transfer rate performance. During installation, the
infotainment system’s functionality will be restricted.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-270-20R; Revised: 10/15/24
Page 2 of 45
Set-Up Instructions and CAUTIONS:
•
Move the vehicle to an outside location where the engine can be safely started and kept idling
during the update process.
•
Never idle the vehicle in a closed space such as a garage, even if the garage door is kept open.
•
Once the vehicle is in a safe location, be sure the vehicle is in Park (CVT) or Neutral (MT) and
the parking brake is fully engaged.
•
Open one or more windows to ensure fresh air is available.
•
Stay with the vehicle until the update is completed.
•
We suggest adjusting the climate controls to your desired settings in case they become
unavailable during the update process.
•
Unplug any devices, chargers, cables or other USB drives from the vehicle’s USB and power
ports.
VERY IMPORTANT: Before proceeding with the updating procedure, the currently installed
version ID MUST be confirmed (Firmware Version Check) by following the steps below:
For vehicles on software versions prior to Ver. RC2212 (i.e., RC2202 or lower ), achieving a final
target version of RC2304 via FOTA may require an additional FOTA software update. Due to
limitations in the RC2304 FOTA’s upgrade path, two or more consecutive FOTA updates will be
prompted.
•
The first FOTA update will bring the vehicle software to a compatible intermediate version
RC2202/lower and RC2212 (likely RC2202 or RC2208).
•
Upon completion of the first FOTA, the system will automatically prompt for the next FOTA (
leading to version RC2403) during the next ignition cycle (engine -off to -on transition ).
Please reference Software Version Table below for additional information.
Also please find all applicable data pertaining to software version numbers and conventions in
Appendix E
Please take note: If you are required to perform another FOTA update as outlined above, the
following pop-up will appear if the Second FOTA is Performed after the first step FOTA . For
additional assistance, please see “APPENDIX D” of this TSB.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-270-20R; Revised: 10/15/24
Page 3 of 45
1) After starting the engine and system boot-up completes, from the HOME screen, touch the Settings
button.
2) Press the General button. Use the down arrow to scroll to System Information then press to
display the System Information / Version information.
The examples below identify the head unit model and the last 6 digits 9xxx-xxx) signify the software
version number. Examples:
•
F11GHMxxx-xxx (High model software)
•
F11GMMxxx-xxx (Mid model software)
If on a Legacy and Outback, the software version number
20MY Model
F11GHMxxx-xxx(High model software)
F11GMMxxx-xxx(Mid model software)
21MY Model
F31BHMxxx-xxx(High model software)
F31BMMxxx-xxx(Mid model software)
22MY Model
FB1SHMxxx-xxx(High model software)
FB1SMMxxx-xxx(Mid model software)
WILDERNESS F51XHMxxx-xxx(High model software)
WILDERNESS F51XMMxxx-xxx(Mid model software)
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-270-20R; Revised: 10/15/24
Page 4 of 45
Outback/ Legacy
Trim/Grade
MY
2020
HIGH
2021
2022
2020
MID
2021
2022
Installed Software Versions
Available Software Version
142-370 (RC2212)
152-370 (RC2304)
142-570 (RC2212)
152-570 (RC2304)
142-670 (RC2202)
152-670 (RC2304)
142-770 (RC2212)
152-770 (RC2304)
142-880 (RC2212)
152-870 (RC2304)
142-980 (RC2212)
152-970 (RC2304)
153-380 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-270 (RC2212)
151-270 (RC2304)
141-370 (RC2212)
151-370 (RC2304)
141-470 (RC2212)
151-470 (RC2304)
141-580 (RC2212)
151-570 (RC2304)
151-680 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
140-770 (RC2212)
150-770 (RC2304)
140-870 (RC2212)
150-870 (RC2304)
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-070 (RC2212)
151-070 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-280 (RC2212)
151-270 (RC2304)
151-380 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
142-370 (RC2212)
152-370 (RC2304)
142-570 (RC2212)
152-570 (RC2304)
142-670 (RC2202)
152-670 (RC2304)
142-770 (RC2212)
152-770 (RC2304)
142-880 (RC2212)
152-870 (RC2304)
142-980 (RC2212)
152-970 (RC2304)
153-380 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-270 (RC2212)
151-270 (RC2304)
141-370 (RC2212)
151-370 (RC2304)
141-470 (RC2212)
151-470 (RC2304)
141-580 (RC2212)
151-570 (RC2304)
151-680 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
140-770 (RC2212)
150-770 (RC2304)
140-870 (RC2212)
150-870 (RC2304)
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-070 (RC2212)
151-070 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-280 (RC2212)
151-270 (RC2304)
151-380 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-270-20R; Revised: 10/15/24
Page 5 of 45
Outback/ Legacy
Trim/Grade
Outback Wilderness
HIGH
Outback Wilderness
MID
MY
Installed Software Versions
Available Software Version
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-070 (RC2212)
151-070 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-370 (RC2212)
151-370 (RC2304)
141-480 (RC2212)
141-470 (RC2304)
151-580 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
140-970 (RC2212)
150-970 (RC2304)
141-070 (RC2212)
151-070 (RC2304)
141-170 (RC2212)
151-170 (RC2304)
141-370 (RC2212)
151-370 (RC2304)
141-480 (RC2212)
141-470 (RC2304)
151-580 (RC2304)
not eligible for FOTA
2022
2022
If on a WRX, the software version number:
2022-2023MY Model
F21SHMxxx-xxx(High model software)
F21SMMxxx-xxx(Mid model software)
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TSB/Document ID: 15-270-20R
Replacement Service Bulletin Number:
MFR Communication Date: 2024-10-15
MFR Internal Campaign ID/Software Version:
Communication Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NHTSA Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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