The last real update was December 2023. There was one update in 2024, but only affected navigation units - a change to the authorization for maps over the air. Subaru has been releasing updates - roughly once a year, although there were two in 2023 and only the minor one in 2024.

there was a new map release last week… whenever the map is updated, the firmware number updates. Example: update 9 - these are all the same firmware - Rel_UK.23.16.70 / Rel_UK.23.42.70 / Rel_UM.24.08.70 / Rel_UM.24.36.70

The first one is the base release, then the other ones indicate they are installed with that particular map release… so the nav units might have any of those, the non-nav units would only have the first one.

I haven’t seen the new service bulletin yet, but it’s possible that there is not any change at all and this is just a map release. Also possible there are some fixes. until I can get the service bulletin, won’t know for sure.

 

Is this a free update? And is it for all 2018 Outbacks?

 

the mid and high versions of the radio should be able to get an over the air update for free. Try that. The USB version is available through the dealer. There was a google drive link posted from the forester forum, and it had the USB version of Rel_A2.20.07.20. instructions for it are in technical service bulletin 15-211-17R

the last update for the 2018 units was a minor update to fix noise on some AM radio stations. That was 2022. The last big update was 2020. It's been a while.

Rel_A2.22.10.20 was the 2022 release for the 2018 outbacks.

The last one with any real fixes was Rel_A2.20.07.20... so if you are at or higher than this one, you're up to date enough.

Also - if your 2018 has navigation, and you updated the maps after July 06, 2020 - then you have the latest significant update. The map updates for the 2018 and 2019 always install new radio firmware, whether you want it to or not - before installing the new map data.

 

The newer firmwares work ok. There was one with the 2019 that caused problems, and until subaru came up with another update, affected units had to be swapped out (the ones installed had the older firmware).

it was funny after that, everybody was scared to update the maps when the next ones would come out… this was all during the complimentary 3 year map update subscription… which was extended 4 or 5 times (because they had problems getting the subscription portal / authentication ready).

There’s a long thread on the early issues.

the only usability changes was the ability to modify the weather alerts that kept popping up and wouldn’t go away - added settings for those. Everything else was bug fixes.

from what I’ve experienced, it still acts and feels like the original firmware from 2019. Not sure I ran into any of the bugs. One of the 2019 firmwares included fixes that were basically conditions that would make the amp stop responding, but I’ve had it still do that, so I’m not sure whatever fix that was helps or not.

there was a USB Hub reset function added to the 2023 firmware release Rel_UK.22.49.70 / Rel_UL.23.13.70… that might be something that addresses the USB thing you mention, but it’s not very descriptive of what the USB reset function is….

anyway, the gen 3.1 firmware history reference has all the fixes Listed.

 

here is the service bulletin with the latest update information. Doesn't look like much of an update. I have never had this problem. The other interesting thing is the 2025 forester wilderness was added, I guess it still uses the older headunit

note that subaru says there may be other errors encountered after installing this update (unclear if the update cases these new scenarios, or if they are known issues and the software simply does not address the problem). In each of the three cases it's either unplug your iphone and plug it back in again, or, turn the ignition off and back on. If they are unrelated to a fix, meaning, a fix doesn’t address a specific issue, you shouldn’t list it. But it’s listed here. To me, that implies that this is a new set of conditions that may occur after the update, and it’s a known issue, and you need to use a workaround. If it was just a known condition with a workaround, there is a different service bulletin where subaru puts all that stuff already. But then again, the subaru documentation process is all over the place, so, lots of possibilities.

there is also a big note on the first page, that, if after the update, a blank / black screen presents itself and the radio will not respond, that the radio must be replaced. that warning wasn’t there for the last update.

personally, this is nothing I'd rush out to try and update, unless you listen to FM radio and the sound never comes on.

details of the latest update:

Conditions Addressed By Update #11:
Rel_UK.25.04.70
06/16/2025

1) This software update will improve system performance to automatically restore sound if the issue of no audio from the AM/FM radio is encountered.
Note: If the system detects that there is no sound from the AM/FM radio after turning the ignition on, the audio starts playing automatically after approximately 28 seconds.
2) This software update will enhance system performance to prevent delays in AM/FM radio sound. Please see below possible scenarios encountered after installing the software update along with recommended workaround solutions.

Workaround Solutions:
Case1: “Smartphone Connection Error” is displayed
Situation: If an iPhone is already connected via USB when the AM/FM radio automatically recovers from a no sound, a connection error occurs with the iPhone displaying a popup message stating “Smartphone Connection Error”
Countermeasure: Re-connecting the USB cable from the iPhone would restore normal operation.

Case2: Continue no AM/FM radio sound due to switching other sources
Situation: If the AM/FM radio experiences a loss of sound after turning the ignition on, it recovers automatically within approximately 28 seconds. However, switching sources (such as to SXM or Bluetooth Audio) during this recovery period prevents the automatic restoration, resulting in continued no AM/FM radio sound.
Countermeasure: Turning the ignition OFF and ON.

Case3: Audio cutout when playing music from iPhone as iPod (only applicable for the models up to iPhone 13)
Situation: When an AM/FM radio automatically recovers, playing music from an iPhone as an iPod mode (with CarPlay turned off on the iPhone) results in a brief audio cutout of about one second at the beginning of each track. This concern might also occur when reconnecting the USB cable or switching to another audio source and then switching back to iPod mode.
Note: Only iPhone models up to iPhone 13 can be connected as an iPod. iPhone 14 and later models do not support iPod mode and only function in charging mode.
Countermeasure: Turning the ignition OFF and ON

TSB attached

 

....there is also a big note on the first page, that, if after the update, a blank / black screen presents itself and the radio will not respond, that the radio must be replaced. that warning wasn’t there for the last update.....

Well, isn't THAT just dandy; an "update" that can brick your HU.

@walker, I don't have the patience to read through those bulletins, so thank you for taking the time post very detailed, but readable synopses.

I won't be installing this latest update. They'll need to write a new one that won't ruin my HU.

 

I just got my car serviced when I had the extended warranty and they had the software updated free of charge, the new version now says REL_UK.25.04.70

 

Nice to have the dealer do it, in case there are problems with the update.

 

The last bad update for the 2019 just made the satellite controls on the steering wheel stop responding. Subaru pulled that update from their servers, and put the prior software on there, and then issued a notice about that… any radios that had the problem after the update were replaced… took them about 6 months to release another firmware that could be written over the bad firmware.

I have a few more years on my extended warranty, so it would be annoying, but I wouldn’t have to pay for anything.

 

July 8th I got a email from Subaru about an important update for my 2019 outback, to software version Rel_UK.25.04.70 in which I didn't have. and connected the outback to my wifi and don't know really why it wasn't still connected but it wasn't and did a software check to make sure it was a legit email, and found a update and downloaded and let it install. well I now wished I hadn't done the update. about a week or so in to the new update, 7/18/25 stoped and filled it up with gas, started it back up and the radio didn't come on. so shut down the engine and waited just a second and cranked it up again and the radio came on. well today driving to church and all was good. got into the outback to head home and man the radio is going nuts changing radio stations and it's like there's a stuck button. I pushed all the buttons on the steering wheel, nothing, tried the buttons on the radio it's self and nope. so don't know.