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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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65 thoughts onSubaru class action over Starlink infotainment defect escapes dismissal
We have a 2018 Subaru Outback and our Starlink system has been freezing and beeping and changing stations cutting phone calls out, etc. We can’t use the navigation or anything and it’s very distracting when driving. Please tell me there is help
My 2018 Subaru Outback started having problems with the STARLINK system about 6 months ago. It randomly calls people the radio is changes channels like it’s gone crazy. I can not use the Bluetooth at all in the car. Now there is these weird like bubbles on the screen. The dealership said they can’t replace it. What do I do now
This exact thing is happening with my 2019 Outback. I have videos that I was going to try to show Subaru but they told me it was an “Update” issue. After I updated it’s only gotten worse. It just randomly clicks on different parts of the screen and they say my warranty doesn’t cover it. I’m so done with this vehicle and them not wanting to fix the issue.
The touchscreen on the infotainment system is not functional. The system randomly beeps and drops whatever information or sat radio station that was being used. The touchscreen des not respond to touches and just randomly beeps. it is very frustrating and distracting. The vehicle is a 2019 Subaru Outback that we purchased new from Ed Reilly Subaru in Concord, NH. The dealership is now operating under the name Capital City Subaru. VIN can be provided upon request.
I have. 2021 WRX . The display goes haywire, maps will zoom in and out randomly and the entire screen will freeze. Absolutely ridiculous this is happening!
I have a Subaru Outback 2019. I noticed a glitch in the infotainment system about a year ago. It would change randomly. Phone calls dropped, GPS stopped and it would rapidly change from radio other system options without any control. I could not turn it off. I have been able to use it for at least 9 months.
I have a 2020 legacy. My starlink freezes from time to time but always chalked it up as a bad signal. The navigation is so so and the app won’t update.
Hello – I have a brand new 2024 Ouback and tonight my car’s infotainment system completely failed. No display at all, the air conditioning is stuck in the on position, the display lights between the odometers are all on and I have no clue what happened. Shortly after, I received an email from Starlink to contact my dealership for repair, but the link provided within the body of the email was defunct. I don’t even know if the car is safe to drive.
I have a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek with issue on Starlink Multimedia system sometimes freezes and backup camera does not work.
I bought a new 2022 Outback Touring XT and have already had 3 new heads installed and now the thing is acting up again and starlink down and so is the safety system.. this is not good at all.