Service bulletin SB-CF-18/19

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10030944
Published by NHTSA	2009-12-24
Manufacturer's number	SB-CF-18/19
Manufacturer's date	2009-07-24
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

NHTSA's summary

SUBARU: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LINEARTRONIC CVT MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER CONCERN IN REVERSE WHEN ON A STEEP INCLINE. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTINUE TO REVERSE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STOPPED WHILE BACKING UP AN INCLINE. THE CONCERN IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. *PE

The document

No address for NHTSA's copy can be built for this communication. Ask the dealer for it by the manufacturer's number.

Components

Transmission and driveline, Automatic transmission, Manual transmission

Vehicles listed
SUBARU LEGACY	2010
SUBARU OUTBACK	2010

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
10V326000	2010-07-20. POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
169013	2023-05-08. Service bulletin. Design Change to Lock-Up Type Torque Converter
168011R	2023-05-08. Service bulletin. Inspection Procedure for AT Oil Temperature Warning Lamp Flashing
169114	2023-04-24. Service bulletin. Correction to Diagnostics for 5AT-Related DTCs
169013R	2023-04-24. Service bulletin. Design Change to Lock-Up Type Torque Converter
16-103-16R	2019-03-11. Service bulletin. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT?s oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover.
16-100-16	2018-06-11. Service bulletin. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the TCM. The files will address customer concerns of inconsistency in the amount of engine braking experienced when using Manual mode (or paddle shifters if equipped) when descending long downgrades. 2.5L NA models.
16-90-13R	2018-06-11. Service bulletin. CVT Transmissions only. This bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine RPM when coming to a stop. The condition is similar to coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle without depressing the clutch pedal. Thrust washer wear inside the torque converter can cause restriction of the oil passage used to bleed off lock-up clutch application pressure. The result is either a delayed (momentary low engine rpm) or no lock-up pressure release. The thrust washer has been changed from a solid bushing-type to a needle bearing type.
16-90-13R	2018-06-11. Service bulletin. CVT Transmissions only. This bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine RPM when coming to a stop. The condition is similar to coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle without depressing the clutch pedal. Thrust washer wear inside the torque converter can cause restriction of the oil passage used to bleed off lock-up clutch application pressure. The result is either a delayed (momentary low engine rpm) or no lock-up pressure release. The thrust washer has been changed from a solid bushing-type to a needle bearing type.
16-102-16	2017-08-14. Service bulletin. TSB: All Models Equipped with CVT Transmissions. This Service Information bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist Technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE.
16-103-16R	2017-08-14. Service bulletin. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT's oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover.