Can I get rid of this obnoxious screen that controls everything
- Thread starter Jangel
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You could probably begin a lifelong hobby of converting the electronic controls on the screen to knobs but why would you?
My 2017 Forester was mostly control by tapping icons on the screen, so maybe shop for a 2010 vintage replacement and get a new head gasket for it.
My 2017 Forester was mostly control by tapping icons on the screen, so maybe shop for a 2010 vintage replacement and get a new head gasket for it.
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That car owns you (and the data it collects about you?). Pray that that screen, with all of its circuitry controlling your vehicle's functions does not fail - and it most certainly will. BIG BUCKS from your wallet to fix it ... if you can find a truly competent dealer or private garage tech to do the job.
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Hmmm . . . Well, this is Subaru #4 and still not a hint of a problem, but who knows what tomorrow may bring.
If the current Subie is collecting data about me, rest assured that there is abundant storage space still unused. There's very little to tell and less of any interest.
If the current Subie is collecting data about me, rest assured that there is abundant storage space still unused. There's very little to tell and less of any interest.
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08/24/26 I watched a YouTube video this A.M. about the new Subaru models.
I am appalled. No more Subarus as we knew them, in my opinion.
They are entirely different and appear to be much larger than previous years models. Many are based on Toyota platforms and even made in a Toyota factory. They are, essentially, rebadged Toyotas with cosmetic changes and more computer stuff to go bad.
Touch screens and related electronics are unreliable and really expensive to replace when (not if) they go kaput and leave you stranded somewhere not nice. Are they repairable? Probably, only by a super-specialized shop. A heated seat can cost thousands to replace. To replace a windshield with all the safety system components is quit expensive.
I, personally, recommend avoiding the newer and newest models and go for ones that were made before 2016. Even those years of models that had head gasket problems - they can be fixed and are reliable after the gaskets are replaced.
I am appalled. No more Subarus as we knew them, in my opinion.
They are entirely different and appear to be much larger than previous years models. Many are based on Toyota platforms and even made in a Toyota factory. They are, essentially, rebadged Toyotas with cosmetic changes and more computer stuff to go bad.
Touch screens and related electronics are unreliable and really expensive to replace when (not if) they go kaput and leave you stranded somewhere not nice. Are they repairable? Probably, only by a super-specialized shop. A heated seat can cost thousands to replace. To replace a windshield with all the safety system components is quit expensive.
I, personally, recommend avoiding the newer and newest models and go for ones that were made before 2016. Even those years of models that had head gasket problems - they can be fixed and are reliable after the gaskets are replaced.
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Above, you wrote, "Touch screens and related electronics are unreliable and really expensive to replace when (not if) they go kaput."
So are you saying that the touch screens will inevitably fail? My four haven't yet. If yes, what is the basis for your assertion? Do you have actual numbers?
Also, can you imagine the number of those knobs that some others pine for if you replaced each of the touch screen touchpoints with a knob? And, can you imagine groping through that forest of physical knobs looking for <whatever>? Would that really be better?
So are you saying that the touch screens will inevitably fail? My four haven't yet. If yes, what is the basis for your assertion? Do you have actual numbers?
Also, can you imagine the number of those knobs that some others pine for if you replaced each of the touch screen touchpoints with a knob? And, can you imagine groping through that forest of physical knobs looking for <whatever>? Would that really be better?
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Inevitable is correct. It would take a major dissertation to explain why. Suffice it to say that you will enjoy the experience sooner than you think or want to. In addition, if your vehicle is wirelessly connected to some entity ...
Take a look at some of the postings on this site. Screens and electronic modules are frequent topics.
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The postings on this website reflect the experiences and opinions of a miniscule number of Subaru owners with touch screen vehicles. And if the problem were as universal as you suggest, dealers' lots would be brimming with disabled cars. Are they?
A better source of actual data would be to check the electronics failure rates reflected in Consumer Reports' annual survey of some 380,000 actual vehicle owners.
A better source of actual data would be to check the electronics failure rates reflected in Consumer Reports' annual survey of some 380,000 actual vehicle owners.
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I sympathize with the anti-touch screen sentiments of some of the contributers here and with the wish to return to knob-controls, but consider what would be involved.
First, every knob would require some link back to whatever it controls or adjusts. Imagine the wiring diagram. Second, all that wiring would involve more cost and complexity than the touch screens. How much you got?
Out of curiousity, I checked the number of touch screen options on my 2026 Forester. That's every standard touchable icon and the options underneath it (no widgets). Including the two physical knobs that are standard, there are at least forty-six (46) options controled by the touch screen. And some of those control a range - hot/cold, loud/soft, bright/dim, etc rather than a simple on/off.
If all 46 touch screen options were replaced, you'd have to install six rows with eight knobs on each row. And, of course, those knobs would have to be labeled, and there would need to be some way that each setting was confirmed to have been changed or set. Imagine pawing through all 46 knobs at 65mph in a rain storm.
Maybe Subaru could offer the option to eliminate some of those knobs on a custom order basis. Imagine the cost for a unique one-off wiring plan . . . You want knob groups A, D and F, but I want C, G and H. And imagine the production delays. Got plans for New Years?
First, every knob would require some link back to whatever it controls or adjusts. Imagine the wiring diagram. Second, all that wiring would involve more cost and complexity than the touch screens. How much you got?
Out of curiousity, I checked the number of touch screen options on my 2026 Forester. That's every standard touchable icon and the options underneath it (no widgets). Including the two physical knobs that are standard, there are at least forty-six (46) options controled by the touch screen. And some of those control a range - hot/cold, loud/soft, bright/dim, etc rather than a simple on/off.
If all 46 touch screen options were replaced, you'd have to install six rows with eight knobs on each row. And, of course, those knobs would have to be labeled, and there would need to be some way that each setting was confirmed to have been changed or set. Imagine pawing through all 46 knobs at 65mph in a rain storm.
Maybe Subaru could offer the option to eliminate some of those knobs on a custom order basis. Imagine the cost for a unique one-off wiring plan . . . You want knob groups A, D and F, but I want C, G and H. And imagine the production delays. Got plans for New Years?