“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.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 9 of 26

•

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”.

•

HIGH and MID trim head unit only : Confirm Software Version is now
“ REL_UK.25.04.70”.

Rel_UK.25.04.70

•

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

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 10 of 26

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 Subaru
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.
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: 06/10/25

Page 11 of 26

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 #11:
1) This software update will improve system performance to automatically restore sound if the
issue of no audio from the AM/FM radio is encountered.
Note: If the system detects that there is no sound from the AM/FM radio after turning the ignition on,
the audio starts playing automatically after approximately 28 seconds.
2) This software update will enhance system performance to prevent delays in AM/FM radio sound.
Please see below possible scenarios encountered after installing the software update along with
recommended workaround solutions.
Case1: “Smartphone Connection Error” is displayed
Situation: If an iPhone is already connected via USB when the AM/FM radio automatically recovers
from a no sound, a connection error occurs with the iPhone displaying a popup message stating
“Smartphone Connection Error”. See below.

Countermeasure: Re-connecting the USB cable from the iPhone would restore normal operation.
Case2: Continue no AM/FM radio sound due to switching other sources
Situation: If the AM/FM radio experiences a loss of sound after turning the ignition on, it recovers
automatically within approximately 28 seconds. However, switching sources (such as to SXM
or Bluetooth Audio) during this recovery period prevents the automatic restoration, resulting in
continued no AM/FM radio sound. See below.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 12 of 26

Countermeasure: Turning the ignition OFF and ON.
Case3: Audio cutout when playing music from iPhone as iPod (only applicable for the models up to
iPhone 13)
Situation: When an AM/FM radio automatically recovers, playing music from an iPhone as an iPod
mode (with CarPlay turned off on the iPhone) results in a brief audio cutout of about one second at
the beginning of each track.
This concern might also occur when reconnecting the USB cable or switching to another audio source
and then switching back to iPod mode.
Note: Only iPhone models up to iPhone 13 can be connected as an iPod. iPhone 14 and later models
do not support iPod mode and only function in charging mode.
See below.

Countermeasure: Turning the ignition OFF and ON.
Conditions Addressed By Update #10:
This software update was solely prepared to renew the electronic certificate programmed in the head
unit to enjoy Map update Over the Air (MOTA) service. Only applied to HIGH trim Head Unit.
When customer attempts MOTA update after 12/2/2024 on the head with an outdated electronic
certificate the following error pop-up will be displayed.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 13 of 26

This popup is the same as the one that appears when Wi-fi connection is not available.
If you have set “Auto Update” to ON, after 12/2/2024, “Connection Unavailable” screen will pop up
every time after Wi-fi connection. If you change Auto Update to OFF, the pop-up will not display.

Conditions Addressed By Update #9:
1) Error message appears and Android Auto does not start when connected via USB cable
2) No response to the operation on Android Auto screen
3) Screen freezes while using Android Auto
4) When an IGN cycle is performed while using Android Auto, the registered phonebook is grayed
out and phonebook favorites disappear
5) CarPlay widget is displayed on the taskbar when CarPlay is launched, but the CarPlay icon is not
displayed on the Home screen
6) Expansion of data storage for MOTA (data size limit per region for MOTA is extended from 2
GB to 2.3 GB)
7) Unable to play News on Google Assist
Conditions Addressed By Update #8:
1) Message “DCM FOTA In Progress” is displayed following IGN-ON
2) Loss of Bluetooth pairing or difficulty connecting
3) Music played via Bluetooth device is lost (skipped or interrupted), when Apple Watch is being
connected
4) If multiple phones (phone A and phone B) are connected via Bluetooth and phone A is playing
music while phone B’s registration is deleted, than phone A’s registration can’t be deleted
5) Android Auto does not launch
6) When playing music with Android Auto, the sound or volume control is lost
7) Android Auto does not launch automatically using Android phone connected prior to stopping
CarPlay operation due to iPhone disconnection
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 14 of 26

8) CarPlay does not launch, after iPhone is connected
9) Clock setting changes on its own, when the time is set in manual mode
10) License confirmation logic improvement in Map Update process
11) USB Hub (AUX USB port) Reset function. *
* Please also follow TSB 15-314-23 to confirm proper hardware is installed
Conditions Addressed By Update #7 (#6 was production running change not available via USB
or FOTA update):
1) No Audio when HK AMP is installed (added fail-safe function to reset the external Harman
Kardon amplifier in case of no sound failure)
2) Volume setting becomes inoperative
3) Buzzing Noise following Head Unit reboot (CarPlay is reset with noise)
4) Head Unit is stuck in phone mode following completion of the call
5) Multiple audio sources are playing simultaneously
6) Noise (random interruption) on AM radio
7) Bluetooth handsfree call disconnect using iPhone
8) Re-route search in Faster Route mode does not work
9) is not shown completely in the pop-up menu for Paid Map License Renewal
10) Voice recognition address search does not work in some states in Mexico
Conditions Addressed By Update #5:
1) Radio station information does not appear.
2) For 19MY NAVI models, map data update over the air (MOTA) service becomes more flexible,
i.e., the MOTA is available using a mobile phone with the STARLINK App installed. See NOTE
1 below.
3) If over 1000 addresses are stored in Phonebook, some part of Phonebook cannot be downloaded
to the Head Unit.
4) When reading out SMS (Short Message Service or text message) in CarPlay, the reading voice
breaks up or words are or incorrectly pronounced.
5) On push-button start models, the word “key fob” is deleted from the note that appears when the
operation setting of Rear Gate Unlock Button is selected. (Rear Gate equipped models only.)
6) When the iPhone is disconnected while it is playing music through CarPlay, the music source is
no longer selected automatically (instead of automatically changing to RADIO.) See NOTE 2
below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 15 of 26

7) When an iPhone (CarPlay allowed) is connected using USB, the system moves to CarPlay screen
no matter what is set in the menu in Setting. The Setting menu
of is applicable only on Android Auto. See NOTE 3 below.
8) Repair Facility POI icons are now shown on the NAVI map display. See NOTE 4 below.
9) Activation Code Not Accepted by Navigation System when updating Map Data

NOTE 1: Introduction of map data update (MOTA) using STARLINK App on 19MY NAVI models.
a) For 20MY models, this function was incorporated at the start of production.
b) MOTA is not guaranteed with all mobile phones/devices.
c) The STARLINK app needs to be installed to the mobile phone/device first.
d) When conducting MOTA via mobile phone, a packet fee may be charged depending on the mobile
provider communication contract.
e) An iPhone can be connected either with Bluetooth or USB. Android can be connected with
Bluetooth only. If the map data exceeds 50MB, a Wi-Fi connection is recommended rather than
using a mobile phone (cellular data connection). The Bluetooth connection may take a long time
to download the map data from the mobile phone to the Head Unit. The size of the map data can
be confirmed in the Head Unit screen.
On Ver. 6.0 and before:

Music playing via iPhone in CarPlay.

Music playing via iPhone in CarPlay.

After disconnecting, the music source
changes to Radio automatically.

After disconnecting, no music source
is selected automatically.

If a source of music other than CarPlay has been playing when the iPhone is disconnected, the music
source remains same (it is not turned off.)
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 16 of 26

NOTE 3: When using a USB connection with iPhone (CarPlay active), move to CarPlay screen.
On Ver. 6.0 and before:
Setting in
ON: The CarPlay screen is displayed.
OFF: The CarPlay icon is displayed but the CarPlay screen is not displayed.
In a case where the iPhone was disconnected while playing music then reconnected while it is playing
music, the system moves to CarPlay screen no matter what is set in
in Setting (depending on iOS version of the iPhone.)

Move to CarPlay.

Move to HOME and CarPlay icon is displayed.

On Ver. 7.0:
The is no longer available for CarPlay. The Setting menu shows
only to access the selection menu. If an iPhone
with active CarPlay is connected, the Head Unit always moves to the CarPlay screen.
To go back to the HOME screen, touch the SUBARU button in the CarPlay screen or press a hard
button or .
To stop the automatic move to CarPlay screen, change the setting of on the iPhone;
iPhone menu, Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (button must be moved to
ON if not already on) > Allowed Apps > CarPlay > Turn CarPlay OFF (iOS 12 and later).
With this setting, if the iPhone is connected with USB, it is recognized as an iPod so music can be
selected and played from the Apple Music Library.
NOTE: When an iPhone is connected as an iPod:
As an iPod, only the Apple Music Library can be played. Other music sources like Spotify, Amazon
As an iPod, only the Apple Music Library can be played. Other music sources like Spotify, Amazon
Music etc. cannot be played. Spotify, Amazon Music etc. CAN be played when CarPlay is active on
the iPhone or the iPhone is connected via Bluetooth Audio.
When an iPhone is connected via USB as an iPod to the Head Unit, the Bluetooth Audio connection
cannot be established because the USB connection has priority but, even in this condition, the
Bluetooth handsfree function can be used.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 17 of 26

NOTE 4: Displaying Repair Facility POI icons:
Icons can be displayed in the NAVI Map.
Icons can be turned On or OFF by going to: Settings > Navigation > POI Icons.

Before Ver. 7.0:
No icons available.

On Ver. 7.0:
icons are displayed.

Conditions Addressed By Update #4:
1) Navigation Route Calculation takes too much time.
2) SXM Preset Program List is lost.
3) Enhanced CD (e-CD) does not play.
4) Voice recognition (VR) does not operate correctly.
5) When the ignition switch is turned on, music in USB memory goes back to track #1.
6) Phonebook cannot be downloaded from a connected smart phone.
7) When the ignition switch is turned on, a message of ‘Invalid Destination Code’ is displayed.
8) When using voice recognition for route searching, the state name is recognized wrong.
9) When MOTA (Map update Over The Air) is conducted, the map display goes blank (white)
temporarily. In case the customer terminates the MOTA when in this condition, the map stays
blank (white). See NOTE 1 below.
10) Hands Free conversation volume not loud enough compared to the audio volume (unfavorable
balance). See NOTE 2 below.
11) Added function for SXM Weather Alert setup. See NOTE 3 below.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

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NOTE 1: The MOTA operation is performed in two steps, i.e., Downloading (download the map
data to the H/U via Wi-Fi) and Overwriting (replace the map data to new one inside the H/U.)
Before updating the software to Ver. 6, the map screen turns blank (white) during the Downloading
process until it is completed. If the customer stops (by turning off the H/U,) during the Downloading
process, the map display will stay in blank condition. The MOTA operation can be restarted even in
this condition. After the Ver. 6 software is installed, the map does not turn to blank (white) during
Downloading. However, the map still turns to blank (white) during the Overwriting process, which is
a normal operating characteristic.
NOTE 2: To meet with customer expectations, Ver. 6 software will increase the Hands-Free
conversation volume by 6dB against the base audio volume. Customers will now be able to hear
Hands Free conversation volume which used to be at audio volume level 30 at level 22 after installing
this update. If the customer prefers the original Hands-Free conversation volume setting, it can
be manually adjusted by following: Home >> Settings >> Sound Tab >> Phone Volume >> then
lowering the volume 6 - 8 steps.
The base audio volume setting chosen at the Factory Data Reset is at level 22 compared to the
previous setting, which is level 30. (This means customers will no longer have to adjust the base
audio volume to get comfortable Hands-Free conversation volume.)
NOTE 3: Added function for SXM Weather Alert is only applicable to HIGH grade head unit.
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 Hybrid, 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.

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

3) US State names corrected when using voice guidance.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 19 of 26

4) Correction made for Pop / Crackling-type sound when using AM radio.
5) Navigation system freezes during loading / start-up.
6) Music skips/cuts out while using Apple CarPlay.
7) Hands-free feature freezes intermittently while loading.
8) Navigation system freezes after entering a particular address using Voice Recognition.
NOTE: All other functions are not affected.
9) 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.
10) Invalid Destination Code message appears on the display while listening to the radio.

11) Spanish version FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) translation corrected.
12) 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.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-236-18R; Revised: 06/10/25

Page 20 of 26

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.