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Update:
- A federal judge in New Jersey declined to dismiss a class action lawsuit accusing Subaru of manufacturing and selling certain vehicles containing defective Starlink infotainment systems.
- U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler determined the court did not have enough facts to dismiss the common law claims of fraud, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment and fraudulent concealment.
- The judge also allowed all but one state consumer protection claim to move forward, ruling the class action adequately alleged the Starlink information systems did not work as advertised.
- Subaru, in its attempt to dismiss the claims, argued some of the claims were untimely and that any warranty would have been made solely by Subaru of America.
- The judge ruled it was too early in the case to distinguish the liability or severability between Subaru of America and Subaru Corp.
Subaru Starlink class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Marco Cilluffo, Jeffrey Quarles, Pamela Doze and Carl Jean-Louis filed a class action lawsuit against Subaru of America Inc. and Subaru Corp.
- Why: The plaintiffs claim Subaru manufactured and sold certain vehicles equipped with allegedly defective Starlink infotainment systems that create a safety risk.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.
- What are my options: Advance Auto Parts carries many options when it comes to entertainment systems.
(April 14, 2023)
Subaru of America manufactured and sold certain vehicles equipped with Starlink infotainment systems containing a defect that has rendered them partially or wholly inoperable, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiffs Marco Cillufo, Jeffrey Quarles, Pamela Doze and Carl Jean-Louis claim the Starlink systems contain a defect that causes them to “freeze, become non-responsive, experience ‘ghost touch’ or phantom input, shut off, reboot, work intermittently or not at all.”
The plaintiffs argue further that Subaru falsely promises the Starlink systems will provide drivers with “seamless navigation,” “extra safety” and “everyday convenience.”
“Instead, Subaru sells and leases Class Vehicles equipped with defective Starlink systems that fail intermittently or altogether, causing serious inconvenience and safety concerns for lessees and owners, their passengers, and other drivers on the road,” the class action states.
The plaintiffs want to represent a nationwide class and Arizona, New York, New Hampshire and Washington classes of consumers who have purchased or leased a Subaru vehicle equipped with a Starlink infotainment system.
Certain Outback, Legacy, Forester, WRX vehicles have defective Starlink systems, class action says
Subaru vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Starlink infotainment system include model year 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester and WRX vehicles, according to the Subaru class action.
The plaintiffs claim the allegedly defective Starlink systems present a safety risk for drivers of the class vehicles by disabling safety features and presenting drivers with “distracting and frustrating” effects.
Further, the plaintiffs argue Subaru must be aware of the alleged defect based on “related service bulletins” and since it conducted pre-release vehicle testing and the alleged defect “manifests so quickly.”
The plaintiffs claim Subaru is guilty of unjust enrichment, common law fraud and fraudulent concealment, and of violating the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act and New York General Business Law, among other things.
Plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive relief along with an award of punitive damages for themselves and all class members.
Subaru initiated a recall in December for certain of its model year 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent vehicles over concerns an issue with the fastening of their Positive Temperature Coefficient ground terminals could pose a fire risk.
Have you purchased or leased a Subaru vehicle equipped with a Starlink infotainment system you believe is defective? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Andrew W. Ferich, Robert R. Ahdoot and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC.
The Subaru Starlink class action lawsuit is Cillufo, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:23-cv-01897, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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79 thoughts onSubaru class action over Starlink infotainment defect escapes dismissal
Same. Its with my 2019 Legacy. Delam bubbles starting to form. I believe I’m outside of the warranty.
Please inform me if I am able to join a class action suit involving the 3G Starlink upgrade not working. I took my car in per the letter to upgrade on May 4th, 2021 and have a copy of my maintenance invoice that it was completed. In February 2022, I received a letter from Starlink indicating I never completed the upgrade by the due date; therefore, my safety features may not work at any given time. I called the dealership, took in the car and they discovered it was ‘never’ completed in May, 2021 but they could upgrade it now. On September 30, I purchased a new iPhone 14+ and attempted to pair it with Starlink but the server went down on my navigation display and my mobile app.
After 10 days of being gaslit, railroaded, patronized by Subaru, Starlink and 2 dealerships not admitting this was an issue, I was told to bring the car in again for a diagnostic. That was 10/6. They gave me a car to drive and assured me the issue would be resolved within a week. I was called and told it WAS the Data Control Module (I arleady researched that possibility and cost: $730) but because I have drained battery issues every 9200 miles, Subaru would replace the Module and warranty it along with the battery which also had to be replaced again after 9200 miles (3rd replacement since purchased), and I would not be charged. All the while not ONE peep this was an ongoing issue. It is now Oct. 29th and I am informed the battery that goes with the Module had to be ordered, but they always arrive in 1 week. Now the Module battery is on back order until at LEAST end of December. I need to join or start a lawsuit. PLEASE ADVISE as they have drained me more than the battery has!
I have had my 2019 Subaru Outback for 4 years and this summer the screen developed bubbles on the top third (I assumed caused by the sun). Now I can’t even listen to the radio due to constant phantom touches. I did find a way to turn the screen off to avoid the constant distraction. I contacted Subaru of America via email and they told me I was out of luck they weren’t extending any warranty or offering to pay or recall the car.
My 2018 Outback touch screen developed the “bubbles” and ghost touches shortly after coverage from the prior settlement ended.
Same problem with my 19 Legacy. Subaru wants $180 to update software before they even discuss replacement responsibility. I’m sure my car is eligible for lawsuit. How do I l proceed?
2019 Subaru Outback I am having issues with the infotainment console it appears to have a bunch of bubbles or marks across the face of it. These bubbles give it a ghost touch. The system goes crazy, pushing and changing stations, as well as calling random people when talking on Bluetooth. It is out of warranty and I brought it to the dealership who wants to charge me $1900 to put in a new one. It’s obviously defective and they can’t guarantee putting in another one isn’t going to do the same thing.
2019 Subaru Outback I am having issues with the infotainment console it appears to have a bunch of bubbles or marks across the face of it. These bubbles give it a ghost touch. The system goes crazy, pushing and changing stations, as well as calling random people when talking on Bluetooth.
2021 Legacy worked fine for about a year. Now it blanks out while driving intermittently and sometimes changes screens while I am driving. Most recently, it blanked out after I started the car and I got a message on the dash and could not open my locked door. After I messed with it, I was able to open the door. I have the newest version loaded by the dealership, but I am still having issues – again – not all of the time.
It isn’t just those models. My 2017 Crosstrek’s Starlink worked for about a year and then failed even though I had paid for a subscription renewal. Hasn’t worked since.
Pretty sure my 2019 Impreza is affected by this issue! This whole time I’ve just been dealing with it and thinking it was “nothing too bad” or worthy of taking it in, but it sure is annoying!! Especially when I’m relying on navigation and I’m suddenly staring at a frozen map alongside crazy traffic and I start to panic. If this could be fixed, that would be amazing.
2019 Subaru Legacy, out of warranty. As if someone is pushing all of the buttons at once. Also interferes with using cellphone- will keep dropping the calls. Dealership said they thought water had gotten under the screen.
They told me to call Subaru national customer service. I did so, and mostly pleasantly surprised. They seem to have a department that is especially for these issues. The representative was very pleasant and helpful. She said that Subaru would pay the $500 for the head, though I would be responsible for the dealership’s $310 labor charge. There is a backup on inventory. Could take up to 6 months for the unit to get to the dealership (dealership had told me the same thing). I spoke with the representative again a couple of weeks later (She gave me a direct phone number for her), and she said that she follows up with the dealership every month to make sure that I am contacted when the head comes in. Unfortunately, especially in hot weather, I will need to deal with the problems until then. I asked if they could send me $500 so I could buy my an alternative system (such as from Crutchfield) and have it installed. She said the company will not do that. So, I am waiting.