Subaru U1198
If the signal strength never rises ab
Quick answer
Subaru DTC U1198 is identified in verified Subaru service-bulletin evidence as a Telematics DTC. The supplied title/meaning is truncated: “If the signal strength never rises ab.” Verified guidance is to check DCM signal strength; if it is about 0%, move the vehicle to a better coverage area and retest. The bulletin specifies a target signal strength of at least 23%.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does U1198 mean?
Subaru DTC U1198 is identified in verified Subaru service-bulletin evidence as a Telematics DTC. The supplied title/meaning is truncated: “If the signal strength never rises ab.” Verified guidance is to check DCM signal strength; if it is about 0%, move the vehicle to a better coverage area and retest. The bulletin specifies a target signal strength of at least 23%.
2. Technical explanation
Verified NHTSA-posted Subaru manufacturer communications 15-308-23R list U1198 as an example of a current Telematics DTC found during an all-system scan using SSM4. Their documented DCM-status check is to verify signal strength of 23% or greater. Where signal strength is approximately 0%, the vehicle should be moved to a better coverage area and retested. The supplied evidence ends mid-sentence after “If the signal strength never rises ab”; therefore, the complete manufacturer definition and any further diagnostic conclusion are not yet established by verified evidence.
3. What system is affected?
Telematics / DCM (Data Communication Module), based on the verified bulletin instruction to scan for Telematics DTCs and verify DCM status.
4. How serious is this code?
Unknown. No severity rating is established by the supplied verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- U1198 may appear as a current Telematics DTC during an all-system scan.
- DCM signal strength may be approximately 0%, according to the bulletin’s documented retest scenario.
6. Possible causes
- Insufficient cellular coverage is supported as a condition to rule out: the verified bulletin directs moving the vehicle to a better coverage area and retesting when signal strength is approximately 0%.
- Any additional cause is not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Move the vehicle to a better cellular-coverage area if DCM signal strength is approximately 0%, then retest.
- Have a qualified Subaru service facility perform the documented all-system scan and DCM-status verification using SSM4.
- Do not attempt high-voltage repairs based on this code; no high-voltage repair procedure is supported by the supplied evidence.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Use SSM4 to perform an all-system scan for current Telematics DTCs, including U1198.
- Verify DCM signal strength.
- The verified bulletin specifies signal strength of 23% or greater.
- If signal strength is approximately 0%, move the vehicle to a better coverage area and retest.
- Further troubleshooting steps are not yet established by verified evidence.
11. When to contact service
Contact a Subaru dealer or qualified Subaru service facility if U1198 remains current after the documented coverage-area retest, or if DCM signal strength does not meet the bulletin’s stated 23% threshold. Additional repair criteria are not established by the supplied evidence.
12. What the service center may check
- Perform an all-system scan with SSM4 for current Telematics DTCs.
- Check DCM signal strength.
- Retest after relocating to a better coverage area when signal strength is approximately 0%.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- No specific repair, part replacement, or programming resolution for U1198 is established by the supplied verified evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Subaru Crosstrek · 2019–2025 · US
- Subaru Crosstrek · 2019–2026 · US
- Subaru Solterra · 2019–2025 · US
- Subaru Solterra · 2019–2026 · US
- Subaru Trailseeker · 2019–2026 · US
- Subaru Uncharted · 2019–2026 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- Subaru manufacturer communication 15-308-23R, posted by NHTSA as MC-11036807-0001, published August 20, 2026. It references U1198 as a Telematics DTC and instructs verification of DCM signal strength of at least 23%; when approximately 0%, relocate to better coverage and retest.
- Subaru manufacturer communication 15-308-23R, posted by NHTSA as MC-11024869-0001, published October 28, 2025. The supplied evidence contains the same U1198/DCM signal-strength guidance.
16. Recall information
- No recall information is established by the supplied verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official NHTSA-hosted Subaru communications: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11036807-0001.pdf and https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11024869-0001.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What does Subaru U1198 mean?
The supplied canonical meaning is truncated: “If the signal strength never rises ab.” Verified bulletin evidence identifies U1198 as a Telematics DTC and directs checking DCM signal strength. A complete definition is not yet established by verified evidence.
What signal strength does the Subaru bulletin specify?
The verified bulletin specifies DCM signal strength of 23% or greater.
What should be done if the signal strength is about 0%?
The verified bulletin instructs moving the vehicle to a better coverage area and retesting.
Is U1198 safe to drive or charge with?
Not yet established by verified evidence.