WenmarOpen by Wenmar Pro

Service bulletin 12-197-16

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)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10086821
Published by NHTSA2016-12-21
Manufacturer's number12-197-16
Manufacturer's date2016-02-25
NHTSA componentEQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NHTSA's summary

"AS PART OF OUR DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS INITIATING A PROGRAM TO EXTEND THE ORIGINAL NEW CAR LIMITED WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANE+G108 (IP) OR DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY ON THE APPLICABLE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE TO 10 YEARS / REGARDLESS OF MILES FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE. THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION WILL COVER A ONE-TIME REPLACEMENT OF THE IP IF IT MELTS OR BECOMES STICKY TO THE TOUCH AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND / OR HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THIS EXTENSION WILL NOT COVER IPS WITH DAMAGE RESULTING FROM OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SUCH AS ABUSE, VANDALISM OR APPLICATION OF HARSH CHEMICALS SUCH AS ACIDS, BASES, OR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. THE CONDITION MUST BE VERIFIED DURING AN INSPECTION BY AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU RETAILER. SOA WILL INFORM VEHICLE OWNERS THIS CONDITION MAY EXIST VIA A CUSTOMER LETTER. FOR VEHICLES WITHIN THE COVERAGE GUIDELINES LISTED IN THIS BULLETIN, CUSTOMERS CAN SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU RETAILER SHOULD ANY OF THE DESCRIBED CONDITIONS OCCUR."

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

Equipment and accessories, Labels and manuals

Vehicles listed
SUBARU LEGACY2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
SUBARU OUTBACK2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

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

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
01-168-09R2023-09-05. Service bulletin. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
12-249-23R2023-08-02. Service bulletin. This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
18170132023-03-20. Service bulletin. Service Manual Corrections
01-167-08R2022-09-08. Service bulletin. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
15-302-222022-09-08. Service bulletin. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
01-167-08R2021-07-03. Service bulletin. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
09-51-08R2021-07-03. Service bulletin. This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
14-22-16R2021-02-18. Service bulletin. To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
03-82-18R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
01-168-09R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information.