Service bulletins for the 2012 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.
388 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
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By component
By trouble code
Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all
| 07-75-13R | 2020-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. This Bulletin provides information regarding DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models. |
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| 02-131-12R | 2019-10-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or upper oil pan. There are five areas that should be closely inspected if an oil leak is reported by the customer: 1. The 6mm tapped hole casting boss area in the left-hand camshaft cap 2. The sealing surfaces between either the left or right-hand camshaft cap and camshaft carrier 3. The sealing surfaces between the cylinder head and camshaft carrier 4. The sealing surface between the upper oil pan and the engine block 5. The sealing surfaces of the front timing chain cover |
| 02-163-16R | 2019-07-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Service Information bulletin provides new inspection and repair procedures for AVCS (Active Valve Control System) -related DTCs on the FA and FB engine equipped models listed above. The applicable Service Manuals will be revised with this new information in the near future. |
| TKA19-TKB19-TKC1 | 2019-05-28. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed above, equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger side frontal airbag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN). |
| 02-163-16R | 2019-05-28. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This Service Information bulletin provides new inspection and repair procedures for AVCS (Active Valve Control System) -related DTCs on the FA and FB engine equipped models listed above. The applicable Service Manuals will be revised with this new information in the near future. |
| 02-170-17R | 2019-05-20. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID; ENGINE. This bulletin announces part information for new Active Valve Control System (AVCS) oil control solenoid valves (OCV) which contain a redesigned internal oil seal. The new seal will eliminate potential oil seepage into the wire harness connector portion of the valve. If oil seeps into the connector, over time, the Check Engine lamp may illuminate and set various AVCS-related DTCs. |
| 02-134-12R | 2019-03-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to announce a change to the specification of the valve springs used in the FB engine. The new springs have different color paint marks to help identify their application. |
| 07-133-18 | 2019-02-19. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Service Information Bulletin announces design changes to the engine?s knock sensor which will help improve vehicle assembly line efficiency and increase durability. In some cases, the Check Engine light may illuminate and a knock sensor-related DTC set in the ECM memory: P0327, P0328, P0332 and P0333. The knock sensor for DIT engines is now utilized for NA engines to improve durability and resistance to heat. |
| 02-177-18 | 2018-10-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. In conjunction with the launch of our new Remanufactured FB Engine Short Block Program, SOA would like to reinforce Core Return Policy (See Parts Policy & Procedures Manual ? Section 12.3 Core Returns ? Reman) and provide suggestions for removal and handling of the short block. |
| 02-157-14R | 2018-10-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oilconsumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date.This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result ofany condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin.This condition must be verified during an inspection and when determined necessary, an oil consumption test performed by an authorized Subaru retailer. SOA will inform vehicle owners this condition may exist via a customer letter. |
| 02-160-15 | 2018-06-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Service Information bulletin provides revised procedures for inspection and measurement of the cylinder block assembly to determine whether or not replacement is necessary. Read through and understand this information completely before proceeding with any repairs to the cylinder block. All Models with FA and FB Engines, 2011MY and Later. |
| 02-157-14R-4-28- | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Revised TSB. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. |
| 02-157-14R-4-13- | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. Revised TSB. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. |
| 02-172-18R | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. 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. |
| 02-132-12R | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. This Bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosis and determination of necessary part replacement in the event any of the ?AVCS Slow Response? or ?AVCS System Failure? DTCs listed above are found to be stored in the ECM memory. A possible cause of these conditions is contamination within the camshaft sprocket and / or oil control solenoid valve (OCV) mechanism. |
| 02-172-18R | 2018-06-11. 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. |
| 02-157-14R | 2018-04-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only), with 2.5L FB Engines, 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 FB Engines, 2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.0 FB Engine As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin |
| 02-157-14R | 2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; EQUIPMENT. Refer to bulletin for engine/transmission type. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin. This condition must be verified during an inspection and when determined necessary, an oil consumption test performed 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 inspection appointment with an authorized Subaru retailer. IMPORTANT: ALWAYS perform a Vehicle Coverage Inquiry on Subarunet to determine eligibility for this Warranty Extension before proceeding. The VIN should also be checked for any open campaigns or recalls at this time. |
| 02-157-14R | 2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE. 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.5L FB Engines - 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 FB Engines - 2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.0 FB Engines. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin. This condition must be verified during an inspection and when determined necessary, an oil consumption test performed 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 inspection appointment with an authorized Subaru retailer. |
| 15-202-16 | 2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides a procedure for removal of the accessory Turbo Boost Gauge and restoration of the vehicle to pre-installation (OEM) condition. Due to circumstances beyond the control of Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA), the accessory Turbo Boost Gauge, p.n. H501SFG500 is no longer available. In the interest of customer satisfaction, SOA will address customer concerns involving a failure of the gauge by returning the vehicle to it?s OEM configuration. |
| 02-157-14R | 2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Revised Service Bulletin: Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control Piston Rings This bulletin announces information regarding a major change to the repair procedures previously outlined in Service Bulletins 02-143-13R, 02-144-13R and 02-145-13R. |
| 02-168-17 | 2017-09-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE. This Service Information bulletin announces a material change to the engine accessory drive / v-belt made to address customer concerns of a slipping belt (squeal or chirping) sound. |
| 02-166-17R | 2017-09-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin outlines design changes made to the upper oil pan assembly on FA and FB engines used on the models listed above. There have been isolated cases where the sealer used between the upper oil pan and the crankcase has become displaced resulting in engine oil seepage. Revisions made to the upper oil pan casting: * The mating flange thickness of the casting in the area identified as the cause for the seepage has been increased by 5.5mm. (See images provided in the Parts Information section below.) This thickness increase creates the need for a longer bolt to provide proper tightening and retention. * An additional mounting point has been added to the ribbing inside the casting to increase retention of the steel baffle plate and eliminate vibration. |
| 02-166-17 | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin outlines design changes made to the upper oil pan assembly on FA and FB engines used on the models listed above. There have been isolated cases where the sealer used between the upper oil pan and the crankcase has become displaced resulting in engine oil seepage. |
| 02-164-16 | 2017-08-14. 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 |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.