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.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| 02-157-14N | 2018-06-11. 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. |
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| 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. |
| 01-168-09R | 2018-06-11. 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). |
| 02-172-18R | 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. |
| PAN-AUDIO | 2018-06-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. PANASONIC AUDIO SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE |
| 06-61-18 | 2018-04-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of new VDC Control Module & Hydraulic Units (VDCCM&H/U) to address isolated customer concerns of the green Hill Holder light blinking and cancel warning alarm sounding during cranking / starting the engine |
| 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 |
| 01-168-09R | 2018-04-02. 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. |
| 12-231-18 | 2018-03-13. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. ( 2017-2018MY Impreza - 5 Dr Only) |
| 07-131-18 | 2018-03-13. 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. |
| 15-193-16R | 2017-10-27. 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. |
| 02-157-14R | 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. |
| 01-168-09R | 2017-10-27. 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. |
| 02-157-14R | 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. |
| 15-193-16 | 2017-10-27. 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 |
| 02-157-14R | 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 |
| 02-157-14R | 2017-03-08. 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. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.