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GR86 Telematics / DCM Recall Problems

20K views 101 replies 22 participants last post by  Ritter  
#1 · (Edited)
Welcome to my rant / warning / documentation for my DCM recall issue. I plan to keep updating as things happen.

I took my GR86 to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation on April 7. The service advisor let me know about a recall for the DCM. They said everything together would be about 2 hours. After 3 hours, they came out and told me they were having issues and were going to put me in a rental.

The car has remained at the dealer since then.

Timeline
April 7, 2023 (+0 days)

The start of everything. Apparently trying to program the DCM had failed and the car started throwing some errors. They said a ticket was opened with Toyota corporate.

April 10, 2023 (+3 days)

I tried calling the dealer multiple times. Couldn't get anyone from service or parts departments to pick up. For some reason there were no voicemails active so the phone rang 5 times and automatically disconnected. Full voicemail box?

April 11, 2023 (+4 days)

Called again and left a voicemail with the service manager. I got a call back from the service advisor about an hour later and then a call from the service manager 30 minutes after that. Advisor said they had resolved the error codes but the DCM was still refusing to be programmed. Still working with Toyota.

April 14, 2023 (+7 days)

Renewed the rental for the first time. "How long did they say it was going to take?" No clue.

April 19, 2023 (+12 days)

Sent a message to Toyota Brand Engagement through an online form. Just a basic rant "I have no clue what's going on. Was supposed to be 30 minutes now it's 2 weeks. Etc."

April 21, 2023 (+14 days)

Renewed the rental for the second time. "How long did they say it was going to take?" No clue. At least they're consistent!

Talked to the service advisor and some other people. They knew about the message to Toyota Brand Engagement. A comment was made that it probably helped them get some traction with corporate. Now both Toyota corporate and Subaru corporate are looking into it.

We talked a bit about the car and what they've been trying. One interesting snippet was some engineer claiming the DCM would only be programmed if the battery voltage was 13.5000 volts exactly. Good luck with that.

April 28, 2023 (+21 days)

Renewed the rental for the third time. "How long did they say it was going to take?" You tell me. "Is that the silver 86 out there?" Yes, yes it is. "It's been there for a while!" Yes, yes it has.

Go look for the service advisor and they recognize me as I'm walking around. I'm obviously coming around too much. No progress on the car. Engineers keep talking about it having them try stuff. Some meeting is happening later in the day to try figure out what to do. When I asked about possibly replacing the DCM, they said Toyota corporate would have to make that decision.

Later that day I realized I don't know if they actually did the oil change. I really hope they did. I also just realized they didn't actually extend the rental so I'll be going back tomorrow.

May 1, 2023 (+24 days)

Actually renewed the rental. Managed to get them to do 2 weeks this time!

May 5, 2023 (+28 days)

No real update... which is probably enough of an update to be honest. They still have no clue what's going on.

May 17, 2023 (+40 days)

Got the call from the dealer that they finally got it going. Apparently they figured out an "alternative" install procedure that allowed the DCM to programmed with the new software. Picking the car up tomorrow.

Hopefully my pain will help out some other people when they're doing this...

July 19, 2023

Final update: A settlement agreement has been amicably reached by all parties.
 
#6 ·
They didn't mention any rebooting. As I mentioned, the engineers specifically mentioned the voltage so it seems they've covered that possibility. It also seems like something engineers from two car companies could figure out pretty quickly but /shrug.

The car doesn't even need the DCM to function perfectly well. @pandafabrications deleted it. The base BRZ doesn't even ship with it.
Interesting. That's good to know. To be honest, I don't particularly care about the DCM so I wouldn't mind it being removed. I never could get the remote start and what not working in the first place and have zero use for it. At this point, I'm mostly having them fix it just for the lulz.
 
#9 ·
the service advisory is only to fix the ability to use the app. without a DCM or an unfunctioning DCM all you have is no app features. aka same as you did before you brought it in. I do wonder though since they said its throwing errors what that even means. maybe go and say listen this shit is redic and im considering taking my car. i want a service tech or advisor to sit in the passenger seat with me and i take my car for a drive. if it looks normal then maybe just say fuck it call me when you think you got something figured out. until then eat a big ass dick
 
#10 ·
The DCM is bad news. It is used to spy on you and track your movement/driving habits. Toyota claims the DCM is for calling emergency vehicles after an accident; this is a cover, so that people don't question why the system is constantly reporting the car's location to the nearest cell tower, and then on to Toyota's database. I declined the DCM recall for this reason. I don't like "connected vehicles."
 
#11 ·
I drive the manual, so remote start doesn't work anyways. And I have no intention of paying for the remote lock/unlock features after the trial runs out. With that known, is there really any reason whatsoever for me to get this recall taken care of? I have nothing against it but I'm a lazy motherfucker ;). This post is really turning me away from getting this work done.
 
#17 ·
Does the base GR86 have the DCM?

I’ve never even checked cause I thought the base came with the least amount of electronic stuff and they would put that on higher trim cars. I’m going to remove this big brother spyware if it has it now that I know about it.
The other thread about removing the DCM someone said that all GR86's have it and all BRZ's except the base model MT has it.
 
#36 · (Edited)
The DCM has a very specific function of enabling remote functions in the car. This includes:
  • Remote start (A/T only)
  • Other remote features like unlocking doors, HVAC controls, etc.
  • Tracking the car for theft recovery
  • Setting the clock time automatically
  • Calling roadside service
  • Calling emergency vehicles
  • Probably maybe Sirius XM?
Removing the DCM does not affect Eyesight or any safety systems. All the logic for Eyesight is contained in the camera module or one of the other computer modules. No data is transmitted or received for Eyesight to function.

Bluetooth is a function of the head unit and is not related to the DCM. In fact, the service manual has special steps for cars being worked on that do not have a DCM where a phone is connected with bluetooth in order to set the clock time of the head unit.

The radio is a function of the head unit and is not related to the DCM.
 
#43 ·
Yes, the XM functionality is integrated into the radio not the DCM. The XM antenna is integrated into the same housing as the FM antenna but can be independently disconnected.
Does the BRZ/86 have any 5G connectivity without DCM?
If we’re being technically accurate there’s no 5G connectivity whatsoever. The FCC ID on the DCM indicates it is only 3G/4G LTE capable.
There’s nothing outside of the DCM that has a network connection. Here’s subaru’s internal documentation on the telematics system.
Image

How does the push-button start work? Is it a signal sent to start the engine after button is pressed, or is it physically wired?
All of the communication between systems in the car is hardwired with the exception of TPMS sensors which communicate via radio with the TPMS module, by necessity. The push to start switch sends a simple negative trigger to the immobilizer module, which then authenticates the key code. Key code is either picked up by the interior keyless antenna, or via the backup induction coil located in the PTS switch if the key’s battery is dead or if its RFID transmitter has been disabled via the button combo in the owner’s manual. Once key code is authenticated, immobilizer sends the OK signal to the engine control module which enables fuel injection, triggers the starter relay, and allows the car to start.

So yes, after the key code is received, it’s all hardwired.
 
#67 ·
I took my 2022 BRZ in to get the DCM reprogrammed, but I live in MA so StarLink is disabled anyway. Figured it could help a few things such as my hyperflash issue with my left blinker. Nope, brought it to the dealer, they held it for 30 minutes and then came back and told me they didn't even have the stuff to reprogram it. Took my car back that night. And holy hell am I happy I did.
 
#69 ·
Lady serving up burritos at Hot Head just said she’s worried about Earth flying through space with nothing to stop gravity from pulling it down. But she said some of her friends are nuts because they believe Earth is flat and NASA never went to the moon. Instead, they went to the bottom of the ocean and found something they don’t want to tell us about.

Good job, America’s K-12. :oops:
 
#76 ·
I actually have an update to post!

May 17, 2023 (+40 days)

Got the call from the dealer that they finally got it going. Apparently they figured out an "alternative" install procedure that allowed the DCM to programmed with the new software. Picking the car up tomorrow.

Hopefully my pain will help out some other people when they're doing this...

(Now to see what the lawyers can figure out about this whole situation.)
 
#78 ·
It's amazing how different this car feels after you've been driving a camry around for a month. Rofl.

Final word from the service manager is still a wtf. Apparently they just keep trying until the update took. He said something about needing to keep the voltage within one decimal point. Which the TSB does call out the voltage needing to be 13.5V.

I'm assuming the module has some anti-brick protection that prevents the update if things get out of whack. So either older cars have stronger protections or... IDK. Maybe the LED dome lights were drawing too much power?? Rofl.

Good showing Toyobaru.
 
#80 ·
May 21, 2023 (day 3)
I brought my GR86 2022 to a Massachusetts dealer for second-year oil change and state inspection on Thursday, May 18. They performed RECALL 23TD03R2 'Health Check -- No Reflash Required' and returned the car to me after 2 hours. TPMS data wiped out. Tire pressure warning dash light flashing and steady. Dealer has no idea what happened. I have the car back after a second hour-and-a-half visit today, Sunday May 21. Really hope this will not be a 40-day event.
 
#87 ·
Knowledgeable computer tech tried several steps to fix dash tire light warning & blank TPMS display of original tire sensors following Telematic / DCM install last Thursday while at dealer for free new car oil change.

—Sensors not reading in data list, did signal ck, still nothing.
—Tried tire pressure reset (also done several times at home).
—Tried scan sensors with aftermarket reader, did not pick up any signal on any wheel.
—Road tested sensors still not reading.
—Inflated & deflated and reset tire pressures, all still dead none will scan.

Those are the notes. Car was returned to me reprogrammed with codes but blank data screen display, which isn’t mentioned in notes. It took 45 minutes for TP screen to refresh. They could not confirm 2nd set of codes for winter set is saved. Gave me written promise of free reprogram if winter switch is a problem.
 
#88 ·
Knowledgeable computer tech tried several steps to fix dash tire light warning & blank TPMS display of original tire sensors following Telematic / DCM install last Thursday while at dealer for free new car oil change.

—Sensors not reading in data list, did signal ck, still nothing.
—Tried tire pressure reset (also done several times at home).
—Tried scan sensors with aftermarket reader, did not pick up any signal on any wheel.
—Road tested sensors still not reading.
—Inflated & deflated and reset tire pressures, all still dead none will scan.

Those are the notes. Car was returned to me reprogrammed with codes but blank data screen display. It took 45 minutes for TP screen to refresh. They could not confirm 2nd set of codes for winter set is saved. Gave me written promise of free reprogram if winter switch is a problem.
Man... it would feel silly to lemon law a car due to TPMS sensors but... Just saying to keep good records and copies of the repair orders/invoices in case you end up needing to contact a lawyer.