Subaru Drivers File Complaints Over Ads Being Shown On Infotainment Screen

Subaru drivers are speaking out after a number of complaints surfaced online about full-screen ads taking over dashboard touchscreens — sometimes while the vehicle is in motion. Many owners say the pop-up ads are distracting and potentially dangerous, and some have now filed complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The controversy started gaining more attention shortly before Thanksgiving, when a Subaru owner posted to Reddit about an ad that took over his 11.6-inch infotainment screen while driving. The ad promoted a free trial of SiriusXM, giving drivers the option to “Listen Now” or close the message. The driver, who owns a 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness, said the screen takeover caused him to take his eyes off the road, and he nearly slid off into a ditch.

“I almost wrecked because of it,” he wrote. “This is unacceptable. It needs to be stopped.” He urged other drivers to file complaints with NHTSA to get the issue on the radar of federal regulators.

Other drivers quickly responded with similar experiences. Some said they had seen the ad pop up while entering highways or during other moments when attention should be on the road, not on dismissing ads. One user said the ad took over his AC controls and CarPlay navigation system, leaving him no choice but to touch the screen to regain control of basic functions while still driving.

The issue appears to involve SiriusXM promotional messages, which, according to Subaru, are shown twice a year — once around Memorial Day and again near Thanksgiving. In a statement provided to several media outlets, Subaru of America said the company is aware of the feedback and is reviewing it internally.

“This is the first we’ve heard of any issue,” the company said. “We will discuss those messages in an upcoming meeting and will always consider customer feedback.”

But this wasn’t the first time the problem had come up. Earlier this year, another Reddit user posted about a SiriusXM ad that filled their screen and offered only a phone number to respond. Some commenters pointed out that you can log into the SiriusXM website and opt out of these “in-vehicle messages” — though others, including popular YouTuber Louis Rossman, criticized that workaround. “If I don’t have any business with SiriusXM,” Rossman said, “then I should not have to sign up for an account just to stop the ad.”