Service bulletin 16-98-16

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	10084141
Published by NHTSA	2016-11-08
Manufacturer's number	16-98-16
Manufacturer's date	2016-02-05
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

NHTSA's summary

THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF REPROGRAMMING FILES FOR OPTIMIZATION OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). THE NEW LOGIC ADDRESSES CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF INCONSISTENT SHIFTING CHARACTERISTICS AND / OR A “SLIPPING” -TYPE SENSATION WHICH MAY BE EXPERIENCED UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION AFTER A COLD START BEFORE THE CVT IS UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE.

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, Transmission control module

Vehicles listed
SUBARU LEGACY	2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
SUBARU OUTBACK	2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
SUBARU WRX	2015, 2016

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

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
13V336000	2013-08-01. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC 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
Announcements-5	2023-03-06. Service bulletin. New Subaru Recall Campaign WQJ?46: 5EAT Parking Rod (6 cylinder engine only)
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.
WQW-58R	2017-09-14. Service bulletin. 2.0L DIT Models Only. Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming. This bulletin includes the service procedure for diagnosis and repair of customer concerns involving engine idle roughness or, in some cases, engine noise and/or damage resulting from spark knock (pre-ignition). The Engine Control Module logic has also been optimized requiring the ECM reprogramming.