[zakyfarms]

My first post to this forum!

And my first Subaru. 2019 Premium, with Rockford Fosgate audio.
I play music from my iPhone through a USB cord. The sound is fine, but there are frequent momentary dropouts. I've already tried the other usb port, and switching out the cord. Any ideas?

 

[Brian Call]

Does the sound drop completely? Or does it just get quieter for a moment?

I don't have an iPhone, but with Android and Android Auto, I've found that the audio system will drop the volume of whatever music I'm playing when a notification comes through on my phone.

If your volume isn't cutting out completely, maybe iOS is doing something similar?

 

[zakyfarms]

It's more of a glitch, just a very quick skip, less than a second. Just enough to wreck the mood

 

[Brian Call]

Ah, sounds like it's not the same thing as what I'm experiencing with Android Auto then. Hopefully someone with an iPhone will chime in on this to help you out.

 

[rdclark]

My first post to this forum!

And my first Subaru.
2019 Premium, with Rockford Fosgate audio.
I play music from my iPhone through a USB cord.
The sound is fine, but there are frequent momentary dropouts.
I've already tried the other usb port, and switching out the cord.
Any ideas?

Is this with a streaming source, or with music files that are on your phone? Is the phone also connected via Bluetooth at the same time? Does it happen if you connect via Aux instead of USB?

 

[gumbobtr]

My first post to this forum!

And my first Subaru.
2019 Premium, with Rockford Fosgate audio.
I play music from my iPhone through a USB cord.
The sound is fine, but there are frequent momentary dropouts.
I've already tried the other usb port, and switching out the cord.
Any ideas?

I assume that you are using Car Play if attached via a USB cable. There was/is an issue with older firmware that did indeed have audio dropouts when using Car Play. I tried searching for the thread discussing the topic but I find the search on the new forum to be about as useful as a Subaru with just 1 wheel. I have the NAV unit and had this issue and if memory serves me correct the issue was resolved for the NAV unit with firmware version Rel_UA.19.01.70. That is the good news. The bad news is this version was pulled shortly after release as it was causing problems with the head units. The current version for the NAV (I think non-NAV uses the same version number) is Rel_U1.18.38.50. I believe this version has the drop out when using Car Play. I also believe that this is not a Subaru issue as people were posting similar problem with other manufactures. You can look at your head unit and see what version you have. For non-NAV head units you will need to see the dealer for any updates. Version Rel_U1.18.38.50 was released in December and I believe was the version that resolved the presets being lost so if you are below this version and are having issues with the presets the dealer should be able to update the head unit to solve that issue but to date I think we are still waiting on the new version to replace the pulled Rel_UA.19.01.70. I updated mine to this version prior to it being pulled and I am running IOS 13 Beta with the new Car Play using a non Apple cord and have no audio issue that I can detect. If you are using Car Play you might want to delete the car from the Car Play settings and then set up the phone as an iPod and see if the music plays as expected. Just a thought to confirm if we are going down the road.

Good luck.

 

[joeinid]

My SiriusXM drops occasionally while driving. It could be sunny without a cloud in the sky driving down the open highway and not a tree in sight and it still drops for a split second several times during a trip. I understand in rainy weather and passing by trees, it’s possible but this is a little annoying. My previous VW was rock solid until a passed under a bridge.

My Subaru drops way too often to be considered normal.

No phone attached is my normal driving mode unless I need gps.

 

[zakyfarms]

Is this with a streaming source, or with music files that are on your phone? Is the phone also connected via Bluetooth at the same time? Does it happen if you connect via Aux instead of USB?

Music files on the phone. Not connected via Bluetooth. I don't think I can connect with Aux from my iPhone 7+.
Thank you!

 

[zakyfarms]

I assume that you are using Car Play if attached via a USB cable. There was/is an issue with older firmware that did indeed have audio dropouts when using Car Play. I tried searching for the thread discussing the topic but I find the search on the new forum to be about as useful as a Subaru with just 1 wheel. I have the NAV unit and had this issue and if memory serves me correct the issue was resolved for the NAV unit with firmware version Rel_UA.19.01.70. That is the good news. The bad news is this version was pulled shortly after release as it was causing problems with the head units. The current version for the NAV (I think non-NAV uses the same version number) is Rel_U1.18.38.50. I believe this version has the drop out when using Car Play. I also believe that this is not a Subaru issue as people were posting similar problem with other manufactures. You can look at your head unit and see what version you have. For non-NAV head units you will need to see the dealer for any updates. Version Rel_U1.18.38.50 was released in December and I believe was the version that resolved the presets being lost so if you are below this version and are having issues with the presets the dealer should be able to update the head unit to solve that issue but to date I think we are still waiting on the new version to replace the pulled Rel_UA.19.01.70. I updated mine to this version prior to it being pulled and I am running IOS 13 Beta with the new Car Play using a non Apple cord and have no audio issue that I can detect. If you are using Car Play you might want to delete the car from the Car Play settings and then set up the phone as an iPod and see if the music plays as expected. Just a thought to confirm if we are going down the road.

Good luck.

Thanks for the detailed reply!
Yes, using Carplay via USB.
Most of your post is over my head but I'll try to set aside some time to sort it out.

 

[tonyct66]

Ah, sounds like it's not the same thing as what I'm experiencing with Android Auto then. Hopefully someone with an iPhone will chime in on this to help you out.

Iphone here. 1st time owner of a 2019 Forester Sport with Harman Kardon premium audio system. SAme thing happens to me. I changed the cords, tried using my wifes iPhone..same result. My preset buttons also disappear after a few days and sometimes, my speakers stop working and the screen goes black. Bringing it back for a full audio replacement. My other issue is with the CVT. Jerky movements with trans. Not happy with Subaru at all!

 

[saturn706]

I don't have audio skipping issues in my '19 with CarPlay, however CarPlay becomes VERY glitchy when my cell has low/no signal.

I have zero issues with CarPlay until my bars drop, then the (already downloaded) music stops, google maps crashes CarPlay, and my phone won't reconnect (with USB) until I have signal again. My iPhone will still have google maps going and navigating even with no signal when the map is downloaded.

I'm just theorizing here, but I noticed whenever this happens that the Sirius XM isn't getting signal either. So maybe StarLink also isn't getting connectivity which may affect the software adversely in some way that affects CarPlay.

 

[tonyct66]

I don't have audio skipping issues in my '19 with CarPlay, however CarPlay becomes VERY glitchy when my cell has low/no signal.

I have zero issues with CarPlay until my bars drop, then the (already downloaded) music stops, google maps crashes CarPlay, and my phone won't reconnect (with USB) until I have signal again. My iPhone will still have google maps going and navigating even with no signal when the map is downloaded.

I'm just theorizing here, but I noticed whenever this happens that the Sirius XM isn't getting signal either. So maybe StarLink also isn't getting connectivity which may affect the software adversely in some way that affects CarPlay.

I don't have any issues with Car-Play in my other cars or any cars I rent. I travel a lot and use Car-Play in many other cars(same iPhone and cords too). I only have the problem in the Forester. Subaru needs to fix it.

 

[JuanGuapo]

I'm not saying it isn't Subaru but we had the exact same sound glitch with our Terrain. Using BT or turning off CarPlay altogether has been the only workaround. Asked the dealer about it, the rep only said that CarPlay issues were known and that software update(s) may be forthcoming from Apple and/or Subaru to resolve it. Nothing other than that.

--
Devices...

• iPhone 7+ (iOS 12.4)
• iPhone 6+ (iOS 12.4)

Vehicles...

• 2019 Subaru Forrester Touring w H/K 9 speaker surround system.
• 2018 GMC Terrain SLT w Bose 7 speaker surround system.

Workarounds I've tried...

• New Apple-branded Lightning Cable. No change.
• Use Bluetooth only. Works perfectly, sound is clear. No issues while device is not plugged into the car.
• Disable CarPlay. Works perfectly through Media as an iPod.

Apps...

• Apple Music. Local copies, downloaded; 256kbs and Lossless.
• SiriusXM. Max or High Quality.
• Podcasts. Downloaded/Local copies.
• Books/AudioBooks. Downloaded/Local copies.

 

[Brian Call]

Something I learned from a recent visit to my local Subaru shop is they've been seeing a lot of audio issues with the '19 series Subaru's, including audio crackling, cutting out / skipping, and audio just flat out not working at all.

According to the shop, the amp is the root cause of the various issues. They've been replacing them (under warranty) and it's cleared up the issue every time.

That's only one data point from one Subaru shop, so I wouldn't rely on that as an absolute source of truth on the root cause, but it might be worth discussing with your local mechanic if you haven't already gone down that road.

 

[copwriter]

Version Rel_U1.18.38.50 was released in December and I believe was the version that resolved the presets being lost so if you are below this version and are having issues with the presets the dealer should be able to update the head unit to solve that issue but to date I think we are still waiting on the new version to replace the pulled Rel_UA.19.01.70.

The latest update version is Rel_UE.19.25.70, out a couple of weeks ago. I downloaded it and installed it myself from a USB drive. I’ve had no problems with it so far.

 

[gumbobtr]

The latest update version is Rel_UE.19.25.70, out a couple of weeks ago. I downloaded it and installed it myself from a USB drive. I’ve had no problems with it so far.

And confirmed here

- Music skips/cuts out while using Apple CarPlay.

It was actually fixed in release Rel_UA.19.01.70 from 3/18/2019 which was pulled shortly after release.

 

[Baseballfan60]

found audio via flash drive drops out with just a tap on the drive also when android auto drops out it still charges phone but no android connection. 19 forester base+. already had TSB for head unit done for software update going in next week more TSB's and maybe a new usb port