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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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Only bulletins with component: Equipment and accessories are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
12-153-132018-06-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for the replacement of the tonneau cover stoppers. This procedure must be used in place of tonneau cover assembly replacement for stopper failure. Replacing the complete tonneau cover assembly due to a stopper failure is no longer an accepted repair.
15-222-182018-06-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces a design change to the A/C Condenser receiver-dryer assembly. The change involves the addition of a rubber end cap and retaining clip onto the bottom of the receiver-dryer tank portion to prevent corrosion intrusion and enhance sealing.
04-13-09R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP. 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.
02-157-14FAQ2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Oil Consumption Class Action Law Suit Frequently Asked Questions
02-157-14N2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Oil Consumption Class Action Claim Notice Clarification VIN break point clarification Memo. Recently SOA has become aware of some retailer questions regarding the VIN breakpoint information supplied as part of the class action notice.
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.
01-168-09R2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Revised TSB. The Subaru Lock Information Site (SLIS) is located at http://lockinfo.subaru.com, and provides information on how to obtain immobilizer codes and key cut codes for Subaru vehicles from the 2000MY to present. This bulletin identifies the equipment required to initialize (reset) the immobilizer code and cut the key blanks, for both immobilizer and non-immobilizer type keys. Subaru of America began using immobilizer systems in some 2005MY vehicles (please refer to Immobilizer Chart for more detailed information).
02-172-18R2018-06-11. 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.
PAN-AUDIO2018-06-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. PANASONIC AUDIO SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
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.
15-193-16R2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). All 2012 to 2015 Models Equipped with Fujitsu Ten (F10) Generation 1 (Gen1) Audio / Navigation Systems. This bulletin announces a new procedure for updating the operating software used in F10 Gen1 audio / navigation systems. This new procedure eliminates the need to exchange the head unit / SD card to obtain software-related updates and operating enhancements.
02-157-14R2017-10-27. 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.
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.
15-193-162017-10-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This bulletin announces a new procedure for updating the operating software used in F10 Gen1 audio / navigation systems. This new procedure eliminates the need to exchange the head unit / SD card to obtain software-related updates and operating enhancements. All 2012 to 2015 Models Equipped with FujitsuTen (F10) Generation 1 (Gen1) Audio / Navigation Systems
02-157-14R2017-03-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. 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. THESE BULLETINS PROVIDED A REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PISTON RINGS TO ADDRESS VERIFIED CONCERNS OF UNUSUAL ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. VEHICLES CONFIRMED AS HAVING THIS CONDITION WHICH ARE WITHIN THE SUPPLIED VIN RANGES WILL NO LONGER BE REPAIRED WITH PISTON RING REPLACEMENT. THE REVISED REPAIR PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS VERIFIED UNUSUAL OIL CONSUMPTION CONCERNS ON THESE SPECIFIC VEHICLES WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY.
02-131-12R2017-03-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. 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.
02-157-14R2017-03-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SURFACE TREATMENT CHANGE TO OIL CONTROL PISTON RINGS
02-157-14R2017-03-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. SURFACE TREATMENT CHANGE TO OIL CONTROL PISTON RINGS
02-144-13R2017-03-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING A CHANGE MADE TO THE SURFACE TREATMENT APPLIED TO THE OIL CONTROL PISTON RINGS FOR 2.5L FB ENGINES. THE CHANGE WAS MADE AS A RESULT OF SOME LIMITED FINDINGS OF UNANTICIPATED WEAR OF THESE RINGS. OIL CONSUMPTION WILL BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND CONSISTENT, IF THIS WEAR OCCURS, THE CONDITION REMAINS UNTIL REPAIR. UNUSUAL SWINGS OR VARIATIONS IN OIL CONSUMPTION ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH THIS CONDITION AND MAY BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE USAGE RATHER THAN THE CONDITION DESCRIBED HERE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED IN THIS BULLETIN TO ASSIST IN THE ASSESSMENT AND DETERMINATION IF VEHICLE USAGE IS A REASON FOR THIS VARIED OIL CONSUMPTION.
03-70-122017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FROM EXTENSION HOUSING AREA USING LATEST GENERATION PRODUCTION PARTS
02-157-14R2017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ENGINE. 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. THESE BULLETINS PROVIDED A REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PISTON RINGS TO ADDRESS VERIFIED CONCERNS OF UNUSUAL ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. VEHICLES CONFIRMED AS HAVING THIS CONDITION WHICH ARE WITHIN THE SUPPLIED VIN RANGES WILL NO LONGER BE REPAIRED WITH PISTON RING REPLACEMENT. THE REVISED REPAIR PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS VERIFIED UNUSUAL OIL CONSUMPTION CONCERNS ON THESE SPECIFIC VEHICLES WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY.
02-155-14R2017-03-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. INTERCOOLER/INTAKE AIR DUCT - THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A REVISED REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE DUCT FOR THE TURBOCHARGED VEHICLES SPECIFIED ABOVE.
15-155-12R2017-03-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). FUJITSU TEN (F10) AUDIO/NAVIGATION UNIT SD CARD EXCHANGE INFORMATION INCLUDING DIAGNOSIS AND TROUBLESHOOTING FOR SPECIFIC SOFTWARE-RELATED CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE CORRECTED THROUGH A PROGRAMMING UPDATE
09-56-132017-03-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. "A COUNTERMEASURE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ADDRESS A RARE CONDITION WHICH MAY OCCUR DURING ENGINE SOAK IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. IN THESE RARE CASES, AFTER AN EXTENDED COLD SOAK, COOLANT MAY ENTER THE THERMOSTAT’S INTERNAL PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, THE THERMOSTAT MAY OPEN AT A TEMPERATURE WHICH IS LOWER THAN SPECIFIED AND CAUSE DTC P0128 TO BE STORED IN THE ECM MEMORY."
02-144-13R2017-03-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING A CHANGE MADE TO THE SURFACE TREATMENT APPLIED TO THE OIL CONTROL PISTON RINGS FOR 2.5L FB ENGINES. THE CHANGE WAS MADE AS A RESULT OF SOME LIMITED FINDINGS OF UNANTICIPATED WEAR OF THESE RINGS. OIL CONSUMPTION WILL BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND CONSISTENT, IF THIS WEAR OCCURS, THE CONDITION REMAINS UNTIL REPAIR. UNUSUAL SWINGS OR VARIATIONS IN OIL CONSUMPTION ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH THIS CONDITION AND MAY BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE USAGE RATHER THAN THE CONDITION DESCRIBED HERE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED IN THIS BULLETIN TO ASSIST IN THE ASSESSMENT AND DETERMINATION IF VEHICLE USAGE IS A REASON FOR THIS VARIED OIL CONSUMPTION."

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