Subaru’s Starlink Infotainment System

June 2020: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement.

October 2019: A federal judge preliminarily approved the settlement agreement. For more information, go to https://www.starlinkinfotainment.settlementclass.com/.

August 2019: Plaintiffs moved for preliminary approval of a class-action settlement that would resolve this lawsuit. According to the settlement terms, Subaru agreed to:

• Extend the three year/36,000-mile warranty on vehicles to five years/100,000 miles,
• Provide class members who brought their vehicles to a dealer regarding issues with the Starlink system with either a cash award ($150 for two complaints or $300 for three or more complaints), one $400 coupon to use toward a new vehicle, or two $100 coupons to use toward service or merchandise at a Subaru dealer,
• Provide class members with $16 for each day that they waited for a replacement unit between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019 when there was a shortage of replacement units, and
• Provide class members with $45 a day (for a maximum of $90) for other out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., car rentals, taxis, or ridesharing services).

According to the settlement terms, Subaru improved the performance of and fixed issues in the Starlink system with several software updates.

December 2018: This case was transferred to federal court. (Case No. 18-cv-17334, D.N.J.)

November 2018: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Subaru of America alleging that it misleadingly promises that the Starlink infotainment system – a touchscreen multimedia and video interface that controls the audio and radio system, a back-up camera, cellphone connectivity, weather information, and navigation – in its 2018 vehicles is “extra safe[],” “convenient,” and “safe and easy” to access and use when, according to plaintiffs, the system freezes, fails to respond, and malfunctions. (Udeen et al v. Subaru of America, Inc., Case No. CAM-L-004425-18, New Jersey State Court – Camden County)