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Service bulletins for the 2008 Subaru Forester

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.

158 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
02-172-18R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This bulletin provides details regarding a new oil filler tube o-ring developed to address engine oil seepage concerns. This seepage may accumulate along the bottom sealing surface of the rocker cover. The new o-ring utilizes material which has an increased resistance to engine heat.
WVU31R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 2.5 Liter N/A engine only. REVISED. Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming. A modification to the Engine Control Module software logic has been developed to improve the performance of the emission control system. This software change will not adversely affect fuel economy or performance. This software update is intended to improve vehicle emissions when the vehicle is operated in cold weather and the engine is turned off and restarted within short periods of time such as in several minute intervals. The A/F sensor contains a heating element, which is controlled by the ECM, and which assists the sensor in reaching an optimum temperature, resulting in better accuracy. When the vehicle is operated under the conditions described above, there could be a longer than desired delay in the ECM?s turning on the A/F sensor heating element, resulting in higher than desired emissions. This software enhancement will correct that condition.
WVM23R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. REVISED. CA PZEV SPEC MODELS ONLY. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming. Under certain severe driving patterns, such as high speed highway/uphill driving and/or accelerating with high engine revolutions, the efficiency of an affected vehicle?s catalytic converter may begin to degrade beyond design parameters. (The ?Check Engine? light will illuminate to alert the driver if the catalytic converter efficiency has degraded beyond an acceptable level and if the vehicle may be releasing air pollutants that exceed Federal or California emission standards.) To prevent this condition, a modification to the Engine Control Module software logic has been developed that will improve management of the catalytic converter. This condition is a software issue and has no impact on vehicle drivability.
WVN24R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. REVISED. CA PZEV SPEC MODELS ONLY. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program have two conditions that may adversely affect the performance of the catalytic converter. To correct these conditions, described below, affected vehicles require (1) ECM reprogramming and (2) permanent removal of the fuel tank one-way fuel valve.
01-168-09R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
12-231-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. ( 2017-2018MY Impreza - 5 Dr Only)
07-131-182018-03-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above to set and result in the related system?s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
01-168-09R2017-10-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
02-164-162017-08-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the internal contact portion of the oil pressure switch to increase durability
03-70-122017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FROM EXTENSION HOUSING AREA USING LATEST GENERATION PRODUCTION PARTS
03-68-12R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING. THIS BULLETIN REVIEWS A CHANGE TO THE PART NUMBERS USED FOR THE TRANSFER DRIVEN GEAR BEARINGS. THESE REVISED BEARINGS ARE TO BE USED TO ENHANCE DURABILITY.
04-13-09R2017-02-27. Service bulletin. STEERING. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A VEHICLE THAT HAS A GROANING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE FULL RIGHT OR LEFT POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE RELIEF VALVE VIBRATING WITHIN THE PUMP. IN LIEU OF REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RELIEF VALVE IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A REPLACEMENT PART.
02-162-15R2017-02-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. NICKEL PLATING HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE INTERNAL SWITCH CONTACTS TO ENHANCE THEIR DURABILITY AND REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF POOR CONTACT WHICH COULD AFFECT OPERATION OR CAUSE IMPROPER ILLUMINATION OF THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. A SMALL PILOT PORTION WAS ADDED TO THE THREADED AREA ON P.N. 25240KA051 AS SHOWN IN THE ILLUSTRATION BELOW. REVISED PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION."
02-162-152017-02-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE. "THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. NICKEL PLATING HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE INTERNAL SWITCH CONTACTS TO ENHANCE THEIR DURABILITY AND REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF POOR CONTACT WHICH COULD AFFECT OPERATION OR CAUSE IMPROPER ILLUMINATION OF THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. A SMALL PILOT PORTION WAS ADDED TO THE THREADED AREA ON P.N. 25240KA051 AS SHOWN IN THE ILLUSTRATION BELOW."
15-167-13R2017-02-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SHOULD YOU RECEIVE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A LOOSE WINDSHIELD MOUNTED AUTO-DIMMING COMPASS MIRROR WITH HOMELINK (WITH OR WITHOUT HOMELINK ON BRZ MODELS), THE MOUNTING ADAPTER PLATE SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR PROPER TIGHTNESS. THE APPLICABLE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE UTILIZE A MIRROR MOUNT ADAPTOR TO SECURE THE MIRROR TO THE WINDSHIELD. DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, IN SOME CASES, THE MIRROR MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND BEGIN TO RATTLE. A NEW SERVICE KIT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE RETENTION OF THE MIRROR TO THE WINDSHIELD MOUNT. THE COUNTERSINK IN THE CAM PLATE SHOWN IN THE PHOTO BELOW HAS BEEN ELIMINATED TO MAKE INSTALLATION EASIER. FORESTER, IMPREZA, WRX AND STI VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING THE 2008 CALENDAR YEAR AND LATER 2013MY BRZ (WITH OR WITHOUT HOMELINK)
04-13-09R2017-02-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK VALVE/GAUGE. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A VEHICLE THAT HAS A GROANING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE FULL RIGHT OR LEFT POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE RELIEF VALVE VIBRATING WITHIN THE PUMP. IN LIEU OF REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RELIEF VALVE IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A REPLACEMENT PART.
18-179-152017-02-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT CHANGES TO SERVICE MANUALS AVAILABLE VIA THE SUBARU TECHNICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (STIS) WEB SITE.
03-70-12R2017-01-31. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FROM EXTENSION HOUSING AREA USING LATEST GENERATION PRODUCTION PARTS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES PRODUCTION CHANGE, REPAIR PROCEDURE AND PARTS INFORMATION TO ADDRESS A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A HIGH-PITCHED SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING AREA.
WQD-402016-09-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:CYBERSECURITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. HAS DETERMINED VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SERVICE PROGRAM REQUIRE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND ECM REPROGRAMMING. FOR VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SERVICE PROGRAM, EFFICIENCY OF THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME. IF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY DEGRADES BEYOND AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY BE RELEASING AIR POLLUTANTS WHICH EXCEED CALIFORNIA STANDARDS. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAM THE ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC, IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS SOFTWARE CHANGE WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT FUEL ECONOMY OR PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
WQD-40DA2016-09-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. HAS DETERMINED THAT VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SERVICE PROGRAM REQUIRE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND ECM REPROGRAMMING. FOR VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS SERVICE PROGRAM, EFFICIENCY OF THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME. IF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY DEGRADES BEYOND AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY BE RELEASING AIR POLLUTANTS THAT EXCEED CALIFORNIA STANDARDS. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE LOGIC WHICH IMPROVES MANAGEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS SOFTWARE CHANGE WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT FUEL ECONOMY OR PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ECM REPROGRAMMING PAK FILES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL MODELS AT THE TIME THIS SERVICE PROGRAM IS INITIALLY RELEASED. PAK FILES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE FOUND ON PAGE 4 OF THE WQD-40 BULLETIN. ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM AFFECTS A HIGH VOLUME OF VEHICLES WITHIN THE AFFECTED STATES, MAILING OF OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WILL BE PHASED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE. THIS SCHEDULE COINCIDES WITH REPLACEMENT PART AND PAK FILE AVAILABILITY.
15-167-13R2016-05-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
WQD-402016-05-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
WQD-402016-05-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
16-92-142015-08-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SUBARU 2009-2013 MYFORESTER AT MODELS, 2008-2011 MY IMPREZA AT MODELS: BULLETIN INFORMATION INVOLVING REPLACEMENT REQUIRED FOR THE AT OIL COOLER PIPING. *LJ
WQD-402013-03-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. SUBARU: OVER TIME, FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY DEGRADES BEYOND AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL AND RELEASES AIR POLLUTANTS THAT REQUIRES THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED AND ECM TO BE REPROGRAMMED. MODELS 2008-2009 LEGACY, OUTBACK, FORESTER. *PE

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.