When Your Dashboard Becomes an Advertising Board | Carscoops

      Subaru infotainment systems are now displaying unwanted pop-up ads from SiriusXM, raising concerns about safety and customer autonomy.

      15 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Subaru owners report that SiriusXM advertisements appear while they are driving.

      Drivers express that these pop-up ads create significant safety risks.

      The company states that these complaints are new, despite previous reports.

      This year, Stellantis faced substantial criticism after numerous owners were inundated with unwanted pop-up advertisements on their infotainment displays. Now, Subaru, recognized for its practical, family-oriented vehicles, is embroiled in a similar controversy regarding in-car advertisements.

      Owners claim that these messages are not only bothersome but also emerge at the most dangerous times – while driving. Some argue that the manner in which they take over the screen poses a risk to drivers.

      Drivers are sharing their experiences on platforms like Reddit and Subaru-specific forums. They are not just discussing their frustrations; they are also posting images illustrating their complaints. One of the most circulated posts came from a Reddit user named bajungadustin, who mentioned that they “almost wrecked” when one of these ads showed up.

      “I have received this Sirius XM ad a few times over the last couple of years,” the owner wrote. “This last incident was the last straw since I nearly crashed because of it. My entire infotainment screen changed, causing me to divert my attention from the road. Considering I was going 55 mph in winter conditions, I swerved slightly and slid, almost going into a ditch. This wouldn’t have happened had that ad not appeared.”

      The issue has been ongoing for years but is just now gaining more recognition. In 2022, a Subaru owner noted they were receiving Sirius XM ads even though they never subscribed to the service.

      What Is Subaru Saying?

      When The Autopian reached out to Subaru for a response, the company indicated that this was the first time they had encountered such complaints. Subaru did not answer questions regarding the frequency of the ads, how to disable them, or the potential for them to distract drivers.

      “We will discuss those messages in an upcoming meeting and will always consider customer feedback,” a Subaru spokesperson stated. “This is the first we've been informed of any problem. Those messages typically occur twice a year: around Memorial Day and Thanksgiving to notify customers that all channels are available for about two weeks.”

      Earlier this year, Stellantis attributed unskippable ads at every stop to a software error. Later, in November, a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner reported seeing new ads for buying a brand-new Jeep appear in their SUV.

      It's safe to say that owners are not pleased about advertisements appearing in their vehicles. Some members of the community, including consumer rights advocates and well-known YouTubers like Louis Rossmann and Steve Lehto, argue that the presence of unwanted ads while driving could fall under lemon laws or consumer protection regulations.

      The rationale: if a vehicle features elements that present a distraction risk, can’t be permanently disabled, and diminish the ownership experience, it could be argued that it doesn't fulfill the promised “safe vehicle” standard. Although this has not yet been legally challenged, it seems increasingly likely as circumstances develop.