Front USB Ports Intermittent

8545 Views 30 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Robert.Mauro, 11 d ago

KirkB

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2022

My 2021 Ascent Limited is now having issues with the front USB ports. At times, both front USB ports cycle on/off ever few seconds. (We know this because our cellphones chime when plugged in.) This continues for several minutes. Then the ports remain on but Apple car Play does not work. At other times, the front top USB port goes dead and will not turn back on. Turning the car off does not fix the issue.

While the ports aren’t working, I have replaced both USB cables, and tried other cellphones but the condition persists. Resetting the radio head immediately fixes the issue (On/Tune/Eject held down for 30 seconds). I now have to do this at least once a week. Anyone else having this issue? Is there a software/firmware update to fix this?

Thank you

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Ruben Marin

· #2 · May 11, 2022

I occasionally have had connectivity issues with android auto, I had to re-pair my phone and that seemed to help. But I did have a few times where the cable seemed to cycle like you described. If you are still under warranty I would have the dealer look at it, if for nothing else but to bring it to their attention and get it logged in your service history.

KirkB

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 11, 2022

I'm headed to the dealer today. Thanks

JohnB

· #4 · May 13, 2022

Ya. Happened today for the first time. Every minute or two during a ten minute drive. Then fine on the way home. The CarPlay icon disappeared when it crashed, then reappeared when it came back up. Seems like a software issue.

Reactions: 1

KirkB

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 13, 2022

I had to take my Ascent in for servicing yesterday so I added the USB issue to the maintenance list. They of course could find nothing wrong but they did note it. They told me there are no firmware/software updates available at this time. If the issue persists, resetting the radio works. Press and hold the Power, Tune, and Eject buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds and the radio will reset.

Robert.Mauro

· #6 · May 13, 2022

KirkB said:
I had to take my Ascent in for servicing yesterday so I added the USB issue to the maintenance list. They of course could find nothing wrong but they did note it. They told me there are no firmware/software updates available at this time. If the issue persists, resetting the radio works. Press and hold the Power, Tune, and Eject buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds and the radio will reset.

It's Volume and Home buttons for 10 seconds.

I'd try cleaning phone and car ports with a can of compressed air, as well as a new data-certified cable.

Reactions: 1

kmartin599

· #7 · 12 mo ago

2022 Ascent Onyx Edition just purchased in April 2022. 3k miles into it, same thing. Radio reboots, apps in Carplay freeze, buzzing sound from speakers. Updated software at home, nothing. Certified cables, nothing. Reset head unit, nothing. Reset phone, nothing. Scheduled service, kept it for 6 days to tell me it's a known issue, all software updates are already loaded and "we're sorry.....". I see numerous threads on the forum about it but have yet to see any one person say that something absolutely fixed it. I'm open to any other suggestions or joining in a class action suit. Works fine in other non Subaru vehicles and aftermarket head units....

magus

· #8 · 12 mo ago

Only issue I've had is music audio stuttering on AA, but that has been fixed by closing out Spotify on the phone and reopening it.

TSiWRX

· #9 · 11 mo ago

With connectivity issues, be sure to check the physical fit of the USB cable into the vehicle's USB port. Tolerance-stacking is a very real real-world phenomenon, and just because you're using new or near-new factory-OE cable or a highly-rated and manufacturer-certified aftermarket cable does not automatically mean that the port-to-cable fit is going to be "perfect."

A looser fit combined with rougher roads can make for very annoying and very inconsistent problems that defy conventional troubleshooting.

Start with the physical fit of the cable/port. Find a brand/make that works better for your unique vehicle, and not because X or Y person or online review recommended it. Here, trial-and-error will pay off.

When I went from my '19 Touring to my '21 Touring, I had to change to a different "make" (who knows exactly what plant in China actually OE's what

) in order to get a consistently tight and trouble-free fit.

Find what works specifically for you, and then purchase spares.

With respect to @kmartin599 's problems, that seems to me -unfortunately- to be more related to the headunit itself.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

lobopac

· #10 · 11 mo ago

kmartin599 said:
2022 Ascent Onyx Edition just purchased in April 2022. 3k miles into it, same thing. Radio reboots, apps in Carplay freeze, buzzing sound from speakers. Updated software at home, nothing. Certified cables, nothing. Reset head unit, nothing. Reset phone, nothing. Scheduled service, kept it for 6 days to tell me it's a known issue, all software updates are already loaded and "we're sorry.....". I see numerous threads on the forum about it but have yet to see any one person say that something absolutely fixed it. I'm open to any other suggestions or joining in a class action suit. Works fine in other non Subaru vehicles and aftermarket head units....

Exact same experiences, 2022 Onyx. Haven’t had mine in to service, but had to use Bluetooth to listen to music and wireless charge for an entire 3 hour road trip. My wife couldn’t charge her phone because it would reset every 4-5 minutes. Restarted the head unit and the car several times, original Apple cables, certified cables , etc. No joy.

Had anyone had the front USB ports replaced? Or gotten acknowledgement from Subaru of America?

My wife (who drives the Ascent primarily) has had enough.

magus

· #11 · 11 mo ago

lobopac said:
Exact same experiences, 2022 Onyx. Haven’t had mine in to service, but had to use Bluetooth to listen to music and wireless charge for an entire 3 hour road trip. My wife couldn’t charge her phone because it would reset every 4-5 minutes. Restarted the head unit and the car several times, original Apple cables, certified cables , etc. No joy.

Had anyone had the front USB ports replaced? Or gotten acknowledgement from Subaru of America?

My wife (who drives the Ascent primarily) has had enough.

Just a troubleshooting question; does the phone experience power disconnects when plugged into the ports facing the 2nd row using the same cables?

Reactions: 2

lobopac

· #12 · 11 mo ago

magus said:
Just a troubleshooting question; does the phone experience power disconnects when plugged into the ports facing the 2nd row using the same cables?

No, second row charging ports work fine. But my boys use those and the head unit resetting constantly defeats the ability to utilize the front CarPlay for Spotify/Waze/etc. Haven’t used those specific cables in the front, but I’ve tried enough cables to know that’s not the issue.

Reactions: 1

Harry123!

· #13 · 11 mo ago

I have the exact same issue describe in the original post! (But with a 2022 crosstrek) Very frustrating. Following in hopes of a solution.

Jim_in_PA

· #14 · 11 mo ago

Harry123! said:
I have the exact same issue describe in the original post! (But with a 2022 crosstrek) Very frustrating. Following in hopes of a solution.

Different head unit...

canadaman2005

· #15 · 11 mo ago (Edited)

2022 Ascent onyx. Drove a 3000 mile road trip in April and AA dropped out about 50 times! I bought this cable and I have had zero issues since. I can't speak for the lightening cable but it's available too.

www.walmart.ca

blackweb 3 FT USB-A to USB-C 3.1 3-Foot Charge and Sync Cable with Durable Braided Cable | Walmart Canada

Buy blackweb 3 FT USB-A to USB-C 3.1 3-Foot Charge and Sync Cable with Durable Braided Cable from Walmart Canada. Shop for more MP3 Chargers & Aux Cords available online at Walmart.ca

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idauria

· #16 · 10 mo ago

I have been having a similar issue with my 2019 ascent. The Android Auto will randomly stop working. I have switched cables and even got a new phone. It's still happening so there must be a problem with the port itself. My husband has been telling me to take it to the dealer but my feeling is that they won't find anything wrong.

Jim_in_PA

· #17 · 10 mo ago

If I'm not mistaken in my memory, I do believe there have been a few folks who needed a new USB hub system for the center cluster due to failure. That would be my primary suspicion here...just a bad module.

Reactions: 1

lobopac

· #18 · 10 mo ago

So, had my '22 Onyx in today for its first oil change/6,000 mile service. I mentioned the frequent disconnects and head unit resets. They said there was an update that literally came out in the past few days that is supposed to address the USB disconnect and Carplay issues. They downloaded and installed it. I guess I have a modicum of hope. We'll see if it makes a difference.

Laviguer20721

· #19 · 9 mo ago

Same issue with 2020 Subaru Ascent. Tried multiple cables with Samsung phone and Astell&Kern DAP. DAP will not connect to AA via USB.

lobopac

· #20 · 9 mo ago

So far, for me, update applied by dealer and 10 days in, no glitches or disconnects. No long trips, just daily short trips. I’ll update the other thread as well.

Reactions: 1

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