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New Subaru Starlink Lawsuit Update And What You Need To Know Now

There is a new update concerning the Subaru Starlink lawsuit. Here are the latest details customers should be aware of.
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Author: Denis Flierl
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2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, Legacy Starlink
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Here are the latest details concerning the Subaru Starlink lawsuit that customers should be aware of. Top Class Actions states, “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.” Here is what it means for customers.

“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.” 

Subaru attempted to dismiss the claims and 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 to distinguish the liability or severability between Subaru of America and Subaru Corporation.

In the Subaru Starlink lawsuit, the judge ruled that the class action adequately alleged the Starlink information systems did not work as advertised. 

Subaru Starlink Lawsuit Overview 

As I reported in April of last year, attorneys Andrew W. Ferich, Robert R. Ahdoot, and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot and Wolfson, PC filed the lawsuit against Subaru, claiming the automaker 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.”

What Subaru Vehicles Are Included In The Starlink Lawsuit?

According to the Subaru class action, Subaru vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Starlink infotainment system include the 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, and Legacy.

Related Starlink Story: After A 6-Month Wait, The Subaru Outback Touchscreen Update Is Finally Here

Plaintiffs Marco Cillufo (2021 Subaru WRX), Jeffrey Quarles (2019 Subaru Forester), Pamela Doze (2022 Subaru Outback), and Carl Jean-Louis (2019 Subaru WRX) claim the allegedly defective Subaru Starlink system “Presents a safety risk for drivers of the 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, and Legacy vehicles by disabling safety features and presenting drivers with distracting and frustrating effects.”

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 report says plaintiffs Cillufo, Quarles, Doze, and Jean-Louis “are demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive relief along with an award of punitive damages for themselves and all class members.”

The plaintiffs also argue that Subaru must be aware of the alleged defect based on “related service bulletins” since it conducted pre-release vehicle testing and the alleged defect “manifests so quickly.” 

What can Subaru owners do?

If you are experiencing problems with your Subaru Starlink system in your 2019-2023 Subaru Outback, Forester, WRX, or Legacy, take your vehicle to a Subaru retailer. The Starlink equipment is covered under the new vehicle warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles. Stay tuned, and when more information is available on the Subaru Starlink lawsuit, I will inform customers.

YOUR TURN

If you have purchased or leased a Subaru vehicle equipped with a Starlink multimedia system and believe it is defective, let us know in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Starlink report. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

MORE SUBARU NEWS

Don't Pay Extra For This Subaru Feature

An Easy Fix To A Frozen Starlink Screen Or Phone That Won’t Connect 

  • How do you fix a frozen screen on your new 2023-2024 Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or other new model? Check out this easy fix to a Starlink multimedia screen or smartphone that won't connect.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time. 

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

Denise Connelly (not verified)    January 27, 2025 - 6:30PM

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My 2018 Outback infotainment broke about a year ago and I was told by the dealer that there was no recall. It has the "fingerprint" marks on the screen and flips around to navigation, FM, AM XM. Replacement will be about $2,000. If I knew that would fix it, I might go ahead, but since it is only under warranty for a limited amount of time, the dealer suggested an extended warranty--all for a defective system that Subaru should be replacing.

Randy Stroup (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 10:47AM

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Denis: what is the status of the Class Action; I only ask because I haven’t seen any update in months. My 2019 Outback’s infotainment system was one of the defective ones. I took it back to the dealer and was informed that it was out of warranty (which I knew). Since my wife and I wanted a radio and navigation system we authorized a replacement, and the dealer accomplished this (at our expense) after about a six month wait for a refurbished replacement unit.


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sandy (not verified)    January 30, 2025 - 11:22AM

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I have a 2019 Subaru Legacy that has a failed Infotainment system, but I do not have a Starlink subscription. Am I still included in the class action? The screen bounces around, changes the radio stations, incessantly beeps, turns itself on if I get a hands-free phone call, and has a bubbled screen that makes it almost impossible to use the back up feature in the daytime. The car had only 7500 miles on it when the system failed. SOA is replacing the system after a diagnostic test by the local Subaru dealership, but with a refurbished system, and 4 month wait! What a drag, and unsafe as well.

Alvin Pettit (not verified)    February 2, 2025 - 1:15PM

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When will Subaru replace the defective Nav/entertainment system of my 2019 Outback per the class action lawsuit? The by pass was installed in 2014 but several fuctions still do not operate or functions have glitches.

Gord Volker (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 10:45AM

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Lots of trouble with navigation. Sometimes it doesn't work at all and when it does, the radio speaker occasionally stays on during directions.

Steven Aderhold (not verified)    March 15, 2025 - 8:39PM

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I own a 2019 Legacy I bought from a dealer in GA. I am on my second battery since, and if I let my car sit for over 5 days (3 in cold) their won't be enough juice to start the engine. When I took it to the dealership to get it's scheduled oil change and inspection I mentioned that the battery was going dead. They acknowledged that this was an ongoing issue and were aware of the suit, so I consented to a parasitic draw down test where if it failed the test I wouldn't have to pay for the test, and I could either elect to disable the 3G Starlink system or replace the entire infotainment stack with an upgraded version covered under warranty. Well they initially try to tell me that my brand new battery was no good, but then they pulled it and charged it, and re-tested. After they tested, they said the battery was good and the test passed meaning I had to pay the fee for the test and couldn't get them to fix the ongoing problem under warranty. They said if I got a new battery then they would waive the test fee and test again, but I refuse to go out and get a new battery to prove that their test is giving false positives and their is something indeed in in my info stack dragging my battery down. It's a down right lie because they don't want to do the work. To this day I keep a rechargeable jumper in my Subie for when I have to let my car sit for longer than 3 days. It becomes annoying and a major inconvenience and possibly a safety hazard if I were to become stranded or in an accident. I told them I will NOT be buying and other Subaru again for this reason. It's a shame because both my parents own a Outbacks and haven't encountered this problem, but rather problems much worse related to the engine. They are not good cars, imo. It seems like the Subaru of America is more focused on dog owners, outdoor culture, and creating a lasting following than actually servicing their warranties. What are my legal options here?

Jaime Jones (not verified)    April 4, 2025 - 3:01PM

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I purchased a 2019 Subaru Legacy and the starlink radio unit constantly beeps, scans through radio stations on its own and calls contacts if connected through Bluetooth, I have tried resetting and updating with no improvement and the dealership says the only solution is to pay $1700 to replace the unit with no guarantee that the same problem will not happen again. The constant beeping is distracting to the point I'm anxious when I have to drive the vehicle. I recently purchased it so there is no way I can afford to buy another vehicle at this time and the extended warranty does not cover this starlink unit.