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Service bulletins for the 2016 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.

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

By type

By component

By trouble code

Only bulletins with component: Electrical system are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
16-119-192019-03-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new control valve assembly (valve body) designed to prevent false detection of DTC P0841 and / or illumination of the AT Temp light. Testing has revealed in some limited cases, air bubbles (aerated fluid) may enter certain pressure circuits within the control valve assembly causing fluid pressure control and adjustment to be calculated incorrectly resulting in DTC P0841. The shape of these circuits has been changed to prevent this occurrence.
15-205-16R2019-02-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving ?Gen 2? F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7? display.
11-187-182019-02-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE); FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability to optimize the ECM and address isolated customer concerns of hesitation on acceleration. The new logic provides enhanced ignition timing control during Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) operation.
16-112-18R2019-02-19. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in Park. The cause is contamination of the Park-Range switch internal components.
15-199-16R2018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2? display.
15-199-16R2018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2? display.
12-251-182018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; STRUCTURE:BODY; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. This bulletin provides a service procedure to address a gap between the top edge of the door and the instrument panel on the models listed as shown in the photo below. The gap may also make the glove box door difficult to close fully.There is a latch to keep the glove box closed on both sides of the glove box door. If the door is closed without using enough force to engage both latches or by pushing it shut on just one side instead of in the middle, one may close and not the other. Over time, if the door is not fully closed with both latches, high cabin temperatures along with weight of the items inside the glove box may cause the assembly to deform slightly and a gap to develop.
15-208-17R2018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Service Information bulletin announces availability of an enhancement to the Gracenote database included in the vehicles listed above equipped with F10 7? Navigation and 7? Display Audio head units. When the user plays a pre-recorded CD, Gracenote recognizes the disc then shows the artist and track name information along with the album cover art on the head unit display (when available). This enhancement brings the currently installed database up to date with the most recent information available.
15-205-16R2018-10-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving ?Gen 2? F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7? display. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files then loading them onto two flash drives for audio unit installation.
07-138-182018-08-20. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information bulletin announces the standardization of the IG2 and ACC relays used on the models listed. Both of these relays are located on the back (front facing) side of the passenger compartment fuse box (F/B).
16-112-18R2018-07-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in Park. The cause is contamination of the Park-Range switch internal components.
15-199-16R2018-07-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2? display. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files from Subarunet then loading them onto a flash drive for audio unit installation.
07-128-18R2018-07-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information 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 to set and result in the related system?s warning lamp to illuminate.
07-108-16R2018-06-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; SEATS. This Service Information Bulletin provides a revised troubleshooting procedure and tips to follow when diagnosing a DTC B1650-?Occupant Classification System Malfunction?. This DTC may also be accompanied by B1760, B1761, B1771 or B1795 as found in the Occupant Detection control module. The new procedure is designed to help avoid unnecessary part (seat cushion assembly) replacements.
15-196-16M2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Only those vehicles with Telematics. On Friday, April 15, 2016, a letter will be sent out to a select group of customers regarding their current SUBARU STARLINK subscription. The letter will inform the customer that their services may not be active. In an effort to provide a resolution for these customers, SOA is recommending they bring their vehicle to a Retailer for inspection and repair.
15-195-162018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information bulletin provides IMPORTANT information regarding diagnosis and replacement (when applicable) of the STARLINK Telematics Data Communication Module (DCM) along with a new claim submission requirement.
15-197-162018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Although Fujitsu TEN (F10) Navigation units utilize an externally (faceplate) accessible MicroSD memory card, the MicroSD card used in Clarion display audio units is internal and not accessible. In the event a ?Check SD Memory Card? alert message appears on the faceplate display, an exchange display audio unit must be ordered through the applicable Clarion audio exchange procedure.
10-84-162018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. This bulletin announces the availability of a new Air Conditioning compressor / clutch assembly to address customer concerns of the system not operating. Electrical windings located inside the clutch assembly have been changed to eliminate the condition. The service procedure will involve replacement of the A/C compressor and clutch as a complete assembly.
07-133-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. 2.0L Turbor Models only. 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.
15-199-162018-06-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2? display. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files from Subarunet then loading them onto a flash drive for audio unit installation.
17-17-13R2018-05-29. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. NOTE: The Airbag systems used on previous and current WRX, STI and Tribeca models are NOT equipped with EDR functionality. This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. The function of the EDR is best explained using the following statements found in the vehicle Owner?s Manual: ?This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in the understanding how a vehicle?s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: ? How various systems in your vehicle were operating; ? Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened; ? How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; ? How fast the vehicle was traveling. This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
15-199-16R2018-05-29. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2? display. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files from Subarunet then loading them onto a flash drive for audio unit installation.
16-112-18R2018-04-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in Park. The cause is contamination of the Park-Range switch internal components
07-75-13R2018-04-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. On Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models, after re-connecting the battery, if the ignition switch is turned back ?ON? within one minute after the first time the ignition is turned ?OFF?, it becomes possible for the CEL to illuminate storing DTC P0606 in memory. The code will not occur immediately, but may occur after a period of time depending upon how the vehicle is operated
07-75-13R2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Bulletin provides information regarding DTC P0606 related specifically to the determination of this code on Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models. The engine management system is equipped with a back-up memory. When disconnecting the battery cables, this back-up memory is cleared. On Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models, after re-connecting the battery, if the ignition switch is turned back ?ON? within one minute after the first time the ignition is turned ?OFF?, it becomes possible for the CEL to illuminate storing DTC P0606 in memory. The code will not occur immediately, but may occur after a period of time depending upon how the vehicle is operated.

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