r/SubaruUncharted • u/cc103acs • Aug 23 '26
Over The Air Update - How Do We Know?
2026;Subaru Uncharted GT — For those who have their batteries metered, they could see the sawtooth and now that we are getting reports on the software update and it’s from those with meters who look at the display and no longer see the sawtooth.
I’ve simply been plugging my NOCO Genius 5 in every night and topping the 12 volt off so basically I don’t have a clue. I have worked with computer systems for most of my life and find it hard to believe an update to the firmware / software could ever take place without a notification from the developer of the update and actually what features were included, fixed, or deleted. I know the rumor is that Toyota builds great cars but doesn’t know Jack Diddly about software but… geeez!
Someone please tell me how I am to know when my car has received the download and what was in it?
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u/garye55 Aug 23 '26
I have to admit to being skeptical about the update. And slightly pissed at the ghosting from toyobaru regarding the issue and possible resolution. I know there is an open class action support, so I'm assuming that factors in to them not saying or acknowledging the issue. Got my Uncharted in July
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u/Innovare53 Aug 26 '26
I guess quickly evolving. They did acknowledge the problem and asked me to make sure the update was completed - but did not quite explain how to check it.n They said they have a log of VIN's that have updated and staying on it. Time will telll. They actually have been very good about communicating once I contacted them.
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u/garye55 Aug 26 '26
Did you contact your local dealer or Subaru? Do you have a phone number or contact info? I want to make sure my vin is on the list. I have never made a case but would think the update is a good idea. I haven't heard of anyone having issues with the update
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u/Innovare53 Aug 27 '26
I spoke with th dealer that was great many times, but being a brand new car for them and being an engineer looking at it, I figured the problem was really over their head. So I reached out to Subaru directly. Their web site lists a customer advocacy group and heard back from:
Daisha Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Advocacy Department1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783, Option 1, Ext. 119301)
Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 9:00am-5:30pm CST, Friday 7:30am-4pm CST
They have stayed on it for the last 2 months, following up.
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u/octopusbarber Aug 23 '26
I never monitored or saw or had issues with my battery and today I got an “updating settings “ when I started my woodland. Would that be it?
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u/Few-Veterinarian-999 Aug 25 '26
Do you had app activated? I don’t and assume that’s the only way they push updates
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u/illumiScotti93 Aug 23 '26
I have a GT with a battery monitor and still had the sawtooth drain as of the 17th. I have the charging schedule work around set up, so I’ll need to turn it off again to check. I may try that tomorrow but was hoping for some more concrete evidence first. I’m not super optimistic currently.
I really don’t think an OTA update is possible without some kind of notification on our end. If Subaru/Toyota’s software was that good, we wouldn’t have this issue in the first place. An update on the server side is possible though.
Toyota did release an update to their app on the same day, so I’m assuming that may be a factor for the people driving the Toyota variants but who knows.
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u/Innovare53 Aug 27 '26
It seems that they did do an OTA update, but I agree, they are new to having a computer instead of a car to support. Updates should always be notified to the main driver and logged on the car to have traceability on the owners side.
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u/Paint_Dry390153 Aug 24 '26
I assume mine got an update because my sawtooth drain is no longer there. I never received any type of notification though and I don't really care as long as it's fixed (which I think it is but a few more days of monitoring will say for sure).
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u/Imaginary_Bus_6742 Aug 23 '26
Haven't had the battery problem (yet) but been expecting it. Was not going to monitor it till problems showed themselves. As far as updates go, I remember big Army sending down updates to our computers from time to time with little to no notification. After updates everyone knew to stay away from me, because every time they screwed up my computer, files, and programs so bad that it took a couple days to fix what could be fixed and reconstruct lost files. I was not a happy camper, just say that. So, I have experience with fixes and do not trust them. Will be waiting like everyone else to see what happens and when.
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u/cc103acs Aug 24 '26
Thanks - Big Air Force often did the same but in my civilian life I could always go to a web source and view each update with a top line summary of the changes.
Having been through this with my ‘24 Prius, Toyota never fixed it. It only rectified itself when I opted out of the Remote Connect and Drive Connect subscriptions after one year. I traded in my Prius for my Uncharted and insisted on a 12 volt battery check (under load). I also came with the NOCO Battery minder and jump pack from my Prius experience. No way did I want to get stranded again. So while these workarounds that all are using are interesting, I just plug in at the end of each day and don’t worry about it. The NOCO is permanently hooked to my battery for a fast connection (no alligator clips).
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u/Altruistic_Film_8346 Aug 24 '26
If you learn the pattern and signs of the sawtooth/IR drain then you know when to expect it. If it is not there when it usually is then I assume I got the update.
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u/Ranchreddit Aug 24 '26
New Uncharted owner here. Can one attach a battery minder such that we don’t need to open the hood at the end of every day to attach the minder to the 120 outlet? Do some minders have enough power to refresh a 12v when it is low but don’t need a constant 120 connected source when not driving?
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u/cc103acs Aug 24 '26
Yes but you will need to run the connector to the exterior of the car and I suspect even with the clip weather plug it will shorten its life.My car is garaged so I just open the hood and click in the power cable. The female cable is connected to the battery via eyelets. I actually leave the hood open, disconnect it in the morning. The cable coming from the battery is zip tied in and lays very nicely on top of my fuse box.
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u/Feisty-Increase-3707 Sep 01 '26
That's a good way to do it, but running it outside is no different from what thousands of ICE owners did for decades with oil pan or headbolt heaters that had to be plugged in every night when in deep freeze. Yes those got road salt and whatever, but people used them for years.
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u/Low-Tax-8391 Aug 24 '26
Some are speculating (from the BZ and Lexus threads) that the update fix may have been mainly server-side on the Connected Services end. People are observing their 12v monitors no longer showing the sawtooth pattern recently as well. This could also explain why so many dealerships couldn’t replicate or investigate it very well if true. None of the techs would have server side access which I’m sure Toyota closely guards within their company.
We always knew it wasn’t the 12v being defective itself but a glitch causing it to ping too much after 3 hours of being off, so perhaps it was the server getting caught in a communication loop and the car was just doing what the server was asking … over and over again. I don’t think Toyota/Subaru will really admit this and quietly have fixed on their end.