2019 Outback Stereo / Nav Bubbles / Replacement

[ryan14425]

I got mine fixed at Kinetic Vehicles. They sell the digitizer and can also install it if you do not want to, Took about a week with shipping. My factory radio is working great again.

 

[billvfitz]

I also have this problem - started about 2 weeks ago. Bought the vehicle new in early 2019. Haven't checked with the dealer yet, nor contacted SOA. Hopefully something will be resolved with SOA and won't have to foot the full repair bill.

Good News! I finally took the vehicle to the Subaru dealership and asked about the radio problem. They said that I had an "extended warranty" so replacement would be only $100. I don't remember purchasing the warranty, so maybe Subaru has realized the seriousness of the problem and taken care of it. Hopefully everyone else who has the problem will have the same result.

 

[Trailboss]

On the newer versions where the climate control is in the media center, I think that once a unit fails, it should give the car owner leverage.

Not having reliable defrost, is a safety issue. On commercial vehicles it is required to be functional, and I would think that is the case for the consumer.

It is good to share information on this site with other Subaru owners but worth equal time to report issues to the NHTSA.

I do live in Phoenix were we have extremely hot summers, going to have the wife put a towel across the unit in summer and crack the windows a touch. I have the extended warranty through Subaru.

I listen to under the hood podcast, and they recently talked about how extremely expensive the Jeep media centers are when they go out, and you cannot swap from a salvage car, you have to buy a new one from the dealership and they work over your wallet/ credit card in the process.

 

[BKP]

I recently bought a used 2019 Legacy 3.6. The touchscreen was completely delaminated and didn't work at all. The sales person tried to tell me that that someone must have spilled something on it, and it could be cleaned up. Lucky for me I had done research, and so I knew about the delamination issue with the touchscreen ahead of time. Having that knowledge worked great in negotiating a lower price, since Subaru here quoted $3,000 CDN before tax and labour to replace the entire unit. The catch was that there were no units available.....anywhere in North America.
After watching their videos, and reading all the positive feedback about the repair, I ordered a digitizer from Kinetic Vehicles and installed it yesterday. Like night and day.....everything works perfectly now. Other than the cost of the digitizer (less than $500 CDN delivered), I spent less than $20 on amazon for some pry tools and torx bits to be able to pull off the repair. Kinetic Vehicles have videos that show step by step how to make the repair. All I can say is that it worked for me, and it's a lot cheaper than getting an aftermarket display or head unit.

 

[OutbackAndy]

I know that Subaru just extended the warranty to 8 years or 150k miles for all of the touchscreens for many of the models. Call Subaru of America (not sure about Canada) and they will tell you how to get it covered. If you’ve already paid to replace then you may be able to get reimbursement from them. I have a 2019 Subaru Outback limited and mine was covered. Here are the models covered:

2019-2023MY Forester with Gen3.1 Infotainment Audio System
2019-2023MY Impreza/Crosstrek with Gen3.1 Infotainment Audio System
2019-2021MY WRX/STI with Gen3.1 Infotainment Audio System
2022-2023MY WRX/STI with CP1 Infotainment Audio System
2019-2022MY Ascent with Gen3.1 Infotainment Audio System
2019MY Outback/Legacy with Gen3.1 Infotainment Audio System
2020-2022MY Outback/Legacy with CP Infotainment Audio System

 

[TRae]

[QUOTE="SubaruJoe, Yes. I’m having the same issue with my 2018 Subaru Outback system. No solutions so far. Will be following this forum.

 

[Trpsubaru]

Update: Subaru has issued an extended warranty on the infotainment in many models. I just had Subaru replace my unit for no cost in my 2019 Outback

 

[ryan14425]

Update: Subaru has issued an extended warranty on the infotainment in many models. I just had Subaru replace my unit for no cost in my 2019 Outback

Yes, 2 posts above you explains the cars that are covered. 2018 Outback is not covered, But 2019 is covered. If Subaru will not fix yours, go here to see the options available. https://www.kineticvehicles.com/collections/subaru-outback-touchscreen

 

[joetex]

Update: Subaru has issued an extended warranty on the infotainment in many models. I just had Subaru replace my unit for no cost in my 2019 Outback

I had my infotainment unit replaced last October. Got a letter from subaru which included 2019 outback that my vehicle was now included. At that time I had to pay for replacement. Made a claim for reimbursement to subaru has was rewarded with full repayment,

 

[Mango]

Some Good news and Curious news on the Delamination of the Infotainment Screen on the 2019 Subaru Outback.

After several months of erratic operation and then a complete loss of the Infotainment Screen, I wrote to Subaru America and was directed to my dealer. After two weeks for ordering the part, my dealer then replaced the entire unit at no charge. The curious thing was that the dealer never used the word "Delamination" despite bubbles all over the screen and a totally non-responsive screen, lack of GPS, phone, and radio; the dealer consistently talked about the "Radio."

 

[OUTBLK]

Hello all,

The touchscreen on my car stereo started bubbling/delaminating after a couple very hot summer days in California. The radio now starts switching channels without command and goes crazy. Any similar experiences?

I’m thinking to switch out system but replacing with aftermarket seems like a headache with all the additional harnesses/connections for XM Radio, Steering Wheel Radio connection, USB connection, etc. Any online recommendations to switch to an aftermarket?

If you changed with a factory system did you buy through dealer.

Wow I know the feeling although my radio never bubbled up the other problems you stated did occur as well as the radio not working at all. Through my dealer/Service adviser I reached out to Subaru of America and was connect to an Advisor. & after some back in forth questions & answers they sent a NEW system, covered the installation cost and provided a warranty. You should try it. Press them. All they can say is Yes or No.