2019 Subaru Outback

I previously reported the deteriorating state of my head unit (which controls all features relating to the screen in my vehicle--including the backup camera). The head unit spontaneously "delaminated" in early August and now has a persistent "ghost touch" that has escalated to the point that the car now rapidly cycles through screen movements and features--all while making a persistent beeping noise that cannot be turned off (even if you adjust the volume knob down to zero). This is distracting beyond belief, and renders the car virtually undriveable. This is known issue to Subaru, and a class action lawsuit has been filed, but they appear to want to wait to see if they lawsuit is successful before they rectify the issue with owners. They have told me repairs would run close to 4k and the parts to fix the car are backordered for over a year. In the meantime, the car essentially cannot be driven, as loud and random beeping coupled with a constantly zooming and moving screen is highly distracting. The backup camera is also intermittently affected by the screen's delamination, rendering it unuseable.

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start-up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due the battery not operating as designed. The battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Data Control Module (DCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The DCM was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,941.

My battery died and I replaced it. Suddenly my radio/screen system started to malfunction. It no longer works at all other than interrupting phone calls by switching from car to phone speaker. I have no access to any safety features. Now my brand new battery of one month isn’t working. When I had an oil change at the dealership last month, they were familiar with the issue but stated there was a recall on the exact issue for a different year. They said I’d have to pay $1000 for a new radio interface. My question is why is the radio/screen and the battery failing at the same time? Why is there a recall one year off and my car is costing me a fortune and so much time.

On July 28th, my touch screen (head unit) in my Subaru Outback suddenly delaminated overnight. From that point foward, all systems connected to the head unit have been either unusable or intermittent--often dangerously so. My backup camera and blind spot indicators are randomly unusable; the GPS system turns itself on and off in use (and half the time, screen itself cycles through "ghost touches" and is unable to be directed in any way); my car calls random people through the Bluetooth system while driving, which is a major distraction, and Starlink is unusable. Internet searching has revealed a proposed class action lawsuit against Subaru for the known issues with their head units; the 2018 models were recalled, but as mine is a 2019, I have been told I'm ineligible for support with repairs and would need to pay 3k out of pocket. I can't sell the car with the level of defects it currently has, and driving the vehicle is at best irritating and at worst, dangerous (depending on how the head unit behaves that day). I purchased this car because I wanted to have a backup camera, blind spot indicators, access to GPS support, and more.

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the check battery warning light illuminated. After calling roadside assistance, the technician was unable to jump-start the vehicle. The battery was later replaced but had since displayed symptoms of excessive power drainage, requiring constant recharges. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

8/15/23 stopped at light. Car ceased to drive. Put in Neutral, then Drive, car lurched forward & drove. On 8/22/23, driving 50-60 mph, car suddenly goes into nothing. Flash of light across the dashboard. Manually put into Drive and drove. Took to Reynolds Subaru in Orange, VA. [XXX] , technician, drove car w/scan tool multiple times over several days. Unable to duplicate what happened to us. The Electric system? Transmission? Fear driving car as it could repeat incidents. We live with high speed roads, numerous 10- wheel trucks, no shoulders, no room for failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)