Blackout of old networks left drivers with Subaru cars stopped; improvised solution to avoid discharge requires turning off Bluetooth
Japanese automaker Subaru is the target of a class action lawsuit in the United States due to a chronic problem generated by the shutdown of 3G telephone networks. According to the complaint, the data communication module (DCM) installed in several old models continues to search incessantly for a network signal that no longer exists. This continuous effort of plugging in the background causes the 12-volt battery to drain quickly, even when the vehicle is turned off and parked in the garage.
The lawsuit covers a vast list of models manufactured between 2016 and 2019, encompassing the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek and WRX lines. For affected owners, the technological failure has turned into a daily inconvenience. In addition to facing recurring electrical breakdowns that prevent the engine from starting, drivers report the total loss of essential safety and connectivity features, such as emergency call (SOS), roadside assistance and the stolen vehicle locator.
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The legal imbroglio gained strength in the way the automaker conducted the technological transition. The lawsuit points out that Subaru even offered a free upgrade of the hardware system for 4G networks. However, the benefit was restricted to customers who had an active subscription to the paid connectivity service at the time of the 3G blackout. With the termination of the signal, consumers who did not participate in the campaign lost the chance to update the module without incurring high costs at the concessionaires.
With no official support accessible, owners have resorted to interim solutions to prevent cars from waking up without a battery. The most common tactic adopted by users has been the manual removal of the fuse that powers the telematics system. However, this improvised intervention also deactivates the front speakers and the microphone in the cabin, rendering basic day-to-day functions useless, such as Bluetooth pairing for hands-free calls and full use of the vehicle’s sound system.
