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Subaru Knows When Your EyeSight Is Failing

The new 2020 Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Legacy models come standard with the EyeSight safety system. See how Subaru knows remotely if it’s not working.

Subaru Eyesight is a driver assist safety technology that monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you if you sway outside your lane. It now comes standard on the new 2020 Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Legacy models. Because the system is connected to Subaru Starlink in-vehicle technology, the automaker knows remotely when the safety system is not working properly.

One of our readers was notified in an email, the EyeSight system in their new 2019 Subaru Crosstrek was not working properly. It was because their new all-wheel-drive vehicle was in the body shop being repaired because of hail damage.

2020 Subaru Crosstrek with EyeSight

They had the new Crosstrek six months when a severe hailstorm damaged their new all-wheel-drive model. The hail heavily damaged the hood, and roof of the compact SUV and it needed to be completely replaced. The auto body shop had to cut off the roof of the car and a new roof panel installed. It was a major deal to fix it.

Because the EyeSight camera lens (it’s set of eyes) is located at the top of the windshield, it was removed during the roof removal process. The owners were told the EyeSight safety system would be taken to the Subaru dealer to be re-calibrated after it was re-installed.

Subaru EyeSight located at the top of the windshield

This is when the Subaru Crosstrek owners were notified by Subaru in an email that something was wrong with their Crosstrek’s EyeSight safety system. When the cameras on the windshield were removed, Subaru knew something was wrong and let the owners know. The email said, “We’ve noticed that your Blind-Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic System light is on.”

Subaru was notified by Starlink that there was a problem. The email went on to say, “We were notified via Subaru Starlink that the Blind-Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic System light is on in your Cool Gray Khaki 2019 Crosstrek. The light indicates there might be a potential problem with your vehicle's peripheral sensors, they may not be operating. Please contact your Subaru Retailer as soon as possible.”

Email from Subaru

This is a valuable service Subaru provides 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, Ascent, and Legacy owners with its standard EyeSight driver assist safety system. Being notified there is a potential problem ahead of time, could keep customers from getting in an accident. The email went on to say, “Keeping you connected- Your friends at Subaru of America.”

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Denis Flierl has invested nearly 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on FacebookTwitterInstagramSubaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates!

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

Comments

jg (not verified)    November 21, 2019 - 7:42PM

This is a fairly useless automated message that gets generated if a light on your dash comes on. Why in the world would I need an email if I’m driving and a dashboard light comes on? There’s also a monthly email that gets sent showing you a picture of all the dashboard lights, just in case you wanted to see them in your email and not in your car. I unsubscribed from all of them.

What Subaru needs to do is apply some analytics to the data they have access to and at least provide access to graphs of things like mpg and oil temp over time as well as other historical information.

SHAWN (not verified)    November 30, 2019 - 8:05AM

I think this is a great thing. I bought my 2019 Outback for its safety features. If it includes the Subaru letting me know if those systems are not working properly, that's even better. KUDO's to Subaru

John (not verified)    January 31, 2023 - 7:32AM

FYI if the warning lights go off before you can get the diagnostic code scaned all you are left with is that email and are out of luck. Subarus clear out all diagnostic codes when the system comes back on. So if EyeSight goes out randomly you are out of luck until you can get a scan. So says the Subaru dealers.