Reprogramming File Availability for Optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 and Gen 3.1α Audio and Navigation Head Units – 2019-2023 Subaru

NHTSA ID Number: 10248193

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 


NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 12/08/23

APPLICABILITY:22019-23MY Impreza
2019-23MY Crosstrek (Including Hybrid Model)
2019-24MY Forester
2019MY Legacy/ Outback
2019-21MY WRXeBay logo
2019-21MY WRXeBay logo STIeBay logo
2019-21MY BRZ- Navigation -equipped ONLY
2019-22MY Ascent
SUBJECT:Reprogramming File Availability for Optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 and Gen 3.1α Audio and Navigation Head Units

 

INTRODUCTION:

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above.  The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation.  These files do NOT include Map Update data. It is VERY IMPORTANT to read and understand this information completely to understand all changes from prior releases before proceeding.

A time line chart along with a complete list of all the conditions addressed by this and previous Harman 3.1 and Gen 3.1α software updates is provided in “Appendix A” located at the end of this bulletin.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If a vehicle presents with a current blank or black screen condition, request an exchange unit.
  • Be sure to locate and re-format any existing USB drives used for updating Harman audio units in order to fully clear them before adding these new files to them.
  • On BRZ models, this update applicable to HIGH / Navigation-equipped head units only.
  • If a Map update is pending, please follow the instructions posted on Subarunet: Service Operations & Technical > Forms/Downloads > Navigation System Map Updates and select the applicable link.

 

PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:

These updates (December 2020) apply to the models listed above equipped with Harman Gen 3.1 and Gen 3.1α Audio and Navigation head units only.

The latest software version (including all available updates) was incorporated into production per the starting VIN table to the right:

ModelStarting VIN
LegacyTBD
OutbackTBD
Impreza 4-DoorTBD
Impreza 5-DoorTBD
CrosstrekTBD
BRZ*TBD
ForesterTBD
AscentTBD

*HIGH / Navigation – equipped head units only

 

PART INFORMATION:

Multimedia System TypeDescriptive Features
6.5 Inch Display Audio System (Base)No CD slot / Eject Button
6.5 Inch Display Audio System (Base +)Equipped with CD Player and Eject Button
8.0 Inch Display Audio System (Mid)Phone Button
8.0 Inch Audio / Navigation System (High)Map Button but no Phone Button

 

Materials Required:

An empty, USB 2.0 or 3.0 storage device (flash drive) will be needed to perform the update procedure. The device should be dedicated to storing and transferring these updating files only. It must be a minimum of 16GB or more in size and contain a NTFS file format before downloading the update files onto it.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • NEVER change the update file names after downloading them.
  • NEVER save any other files on the same flash drive.

There are various types of USB flash drive available from many suppliers.  If the head unit does NOT recognize the USB drive during the reprogramming process, due to controller IC type of USB drive or compatibility with the head unit, clear the file and re-format the flash drive for “FAT32” as outlined below in Step 2 instead of “NTFS”.  If a recognition problem persists, use USB flash drive from another manufacturer.

 

Recommended Flash Drives:

Kingston®: Data Traveler G3, G4, SE9 or the Hyper-X Series

SanDisk®: Cruzer Series, Ultra Flair

Transcend®: JetFlash 300, 600 or 790

Verbatim®: Store ‘n’ Go

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:

“A” When using update files downloaded from Subarunet:

Click Here to Access the Downloads for Audio/Navigation Information on Subarunet

 

Refer to the Information In PDF below…

 


31 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
SUBARUeBay logoASCENT2019-2022
SUBARUeBay logoBRZ2019-2021
SUBARUeBay logoCROSSTREK2019-2023
SUBARUeBay logoFORESTER2019-2024
SUBARUeBay logoIMPREZA2019-2023
SUBARUeBay logoLEGACY2019
SUBARUeBay logoOUTBACK2019
SUBARUeBay logoWRXeBay logo2019-2021
SUBARUeBay logoWRXeBay logo STIeBay logo2019-2021

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 12/08/23

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10248193

MC-10248193-0001.pdf 2147.832KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10238443

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 06/06/23

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10238443

MC-10238443-0001.pdf 2140.324KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10237273

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 05/11/23

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10237273

MC-10237273-0001.pdf 2140.515KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10232214

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 02/07/23

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10232214

MC-10232214-0001.pdf 2016.338KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10226867

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 11/17/22

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10226867

MC-10226867-0001.pdf 4983.779KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10219477

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 08/12/22

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10219477

MC-10219477-0001.pdf 4985.343KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10215427

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 06/27/22

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10215427

MC-10215427-0001.pdf 4981.7KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10205913

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 12/06/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10205913

MC-10205913-0001.pdf 2376.491KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10201804

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 09/20/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10201804

MC-10201804-0001.pdf 2380.46KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10199966

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 07/28/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10199966

MC-10199966-0001.pdf 2381.367KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10198774

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 06/08/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10198774

MC-10198774-0001.pdf 2378.418KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10213187

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 05/17/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10213187

MC-10213187-0001.pdf 4981.624KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10188170

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 02/10/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10188170

MC-10188170-0001.pdf 2378.774KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10186355

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

Reprogramming File Availability for Optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 and Gen 3.1α Audio and Navigation Head Units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 01/07/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10186355

MC-10186355-0001.pdf 2383.034KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10185088

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 12/21/20

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10185088

MC-10185088-0001.pdf 2380.593KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10179423

Manufacturer Communication Number: 15-236-18R

Summary

The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 15-236-18R
DATE: 12/04/18
REVISED: 08/31/20

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10179423

MC-10179423-0001.pdf 2003.574KB

 


 

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Last update on 2026-06-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

 


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