Pete_W

See my previous posts. It seems the approach from Budgens at Shrewsbury is that if they do not have an i9nstant answer, then it is 'not possible'. After contacting Subaru UK and getting them to contact Budgens, apparently it could be done. Now my '19 Outback unlocks all doors from the drivers side. The only small silly one is that what is probably the kiddie locks on the rear doors stay activated, such that rear passwengers cannot get out. To release them either open the drivers door, or press the 'unlock' button on the drivers door. This is the same button you have to press to have the rear hatch open from the button down RHS of the steering wheel. It sometimes seems to me that whoever wrote the programme for the user interface should have been forced to live with it for a few months - an modify it till it worked properly!

Hi Justin, Check out https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2017-2019-power-rear-gate-prg-control-module-design-change-fixes-battery-drain-problem.527080/ It looks like this is for up to MY19 so it may not be relevant to your MY20. The dealer (Budgens at Shrewsbury) just did it when faced with the TSB number and the fact that I had measured the current draw. Subaru seem to work on the basis that if you don't complain, then you havn't got a problem, but respond OK if you do complain.

I get wind noise. It seems to come from the driver's side door seal, along the top edge. I vaguely remember seeing something about inserting a small cross-section piece of foam rubber in the doorseal. When a get a suitable attack of enthusiasm, I am going to have a go at doing it.

I have a '19 Outback. Battery drain was sorted by a Subaru mod. Dealer had to fit it - after they had been pushed a bit and ordered the bits. Seems tailgate open keeps the canbus wide awake and draws maybe 4 amps continuously. So, with a perhaps half-life battery, a few hours will kill it. With the mod it still draws 4 amps, but only for about 20 minutes.

My UK Gen 5 has the keypad. Only useful bit I have found is that if you press '2' just before you get out and lock the car, it disables the internal movement sensor. Then I can leave the dog in the car without having the car shout about it

2019 Outback - Full-size spare fitted straight into my wheel well. Original kit was a pot of slime and a pump. (Not even a micky-mouse skinny wheel). To my mind, not good enough for a car with off-road capability, so I bought a spare. Had to go to the dealer to get one that matched the already-fitted 18" alloys. Cost about £400 with a cheap tyre! It included the foam plastic insert for the jack etc. This insert is apparently for the 17" wheel. As mine has 18" alloys it rattles about a bit. It was also a bit tall, so I modified it with woodsaw - fits much better now. Only thing to watch for - if you have big knobbly all-terrain tyres, they may not fit. Have to measure the OD. My wheel well is just over 28" diameter, leaving about 1/4" or so.

Apparently you also have to be careful of the rear diff - the breather is low, and you may ahve to check/change the oil in it if you drown it. It is possible to extend it a bit higher.

Check the VIN - Japanese made cars begin with a 'J'

2019 Outback - When open, the rear hatch eats 4 amps continuously. Sub have a mod for this, although the daeler might need a bit of encouragement to apply it. Still draws 4A when open, but only for about 20min, then goes down to the normal low level.

Hi Jim, Sub UK did quickly contact the dealer as above. However:- I went as reqested to the dealer (Budgen Motors, Shrewsbury). After about an hour or so, I got the key back. And was told - 1) Apparently their computer would not let them make the door-locking change. They apparently need to talk to somebody to resolve this; 2) I also asked them to sort out a known problem in that all the time the rear hatch is open, a current of 4Amps is drawn from the battery. OK while loading the shopping, but a bit of a bugger if you have been sitting in the back with a picnic watching some event for some hours only to find the battery won't start the engine any more. I did give them the Service Bulletin number when I booked the job but they reported they needed to get the parts in So nothing was fixed. Still, there was free coffee available. Now waiting the next response from them.........

Thanks for that. Sub UK sent a message to the dealer (Budgen Motors) "You will need to make an appointment with your Subaru dealer for this change to be effected as it has to be carried out through their Subaru diagnostic tool which accesses the body control module on the vehicle to alter the door settings. The change takes literally 5 minutes to undertake by the dealer. Any Subaru dealer should be conversant with accessing the body control module but in the unlikely event that they required assistance, then they can of course contact our Technical Department for advice. We have copied in Budgen Motors with this reply so that they are accordingly aware." I now have an appointment for 26th May at the dealer. Lets hope for a bit more enthusiasm this time! Yes, I have found how to put the key to sleep. Seems good for overnight defence against radio hackers. I have also set up the Pin Code entry on the rear hatch and hidden the spare key, duly sent to sleep, inside the car. Then if / when I lose my key, I can still get in and drive away using ther spare key.

Had a reply from Subaru UK. Apparently it is an anti hijack feature, although no comment so far as to how come the passenger door will open all four doors! My manual says the driver's door should open all 4 doors and this is what I want. Hijacking is not a real problem where I am. Never had it happen in about 55 years of motoring. Sub UK say the dealer should be able to do it, despite the dealer denying any knowledge. Currently waiting a fuller answer from Subaru UK so I can get the dealer to sort it out. Hopefully some more story later.

Got a little further - All doors unlock when opened from the passenger side. Drivers side only opens drivr's door. Looks like I have Left-hand door unlocking ona Right hand drive car. Anybody else got the same? And to swap it over? Dealer (Budgen Motors at Shrewsbury) did not seem to know anythimg about it.

Anybody know if the '7' trick above is supposed to work on a '19 Outback? If not, is there a different magic spell?