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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.

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By component

By trouble code

Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
WUK-962020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign for certain 2015-2018 Forester 2.0L Turbo and 2016-2018 WRX models which may experience a loosening of the front exhaust pipe nuts. On certain affected vehicles, the six (6) front exhaust pipe (EPF) nuts at the cylinder heads may not have been tightened sufficiently due to variations in production. As a result, these nuts may become loose during use and cause exhaust leakage. A leak occurring at the front exhaust pipe may result in deterioration of emission performance. As a result, affected vehicle may fail to meet emission levels certified by the EPA and/or California ARB.
Subarunet Announ2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign/ voluntary emissions recall for certain 2015-2018 Forester 2.0L Turbo and 2016-2018 WRX models which may experience a loosening of the fornt exhaust pip nuts.
02-131-12R2019-10-01. 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
11-191-19R2019-08-30. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of a new Engine Control Module (ECM) for the models listed above designed to address DTC P2610: “ECM/PCM ENGINE OFF TIMER PERFORMANCE”. Under certain RARE conditions, an electrostatic surge may influence the ECM’s internal timer used after the engine is turned off and store a DTC P2610 in memory. Hardware in the ECM has been changed to eliminate any impact from electrostatic surges.
02-163-16R2019-07-22. 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.
02-163-16R2019-05-28. 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.
02-170-17R2019-05-20. 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.
11-169-16R2019-03-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM. These new files will address customer concerns of: ? Spark knock (ping) during high intake air temperature operation ? Surge on acceleration due to phantom knock detection ? Check Engine light illumination resulting from DTC P113A and / or P0137 being stored in the ECM memory.
02-134-12R2019-03-11. 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.
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.
07-133-182019-02-19. 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.
02-177-182018-10-01. 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.
07-136-182018-08-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TURBO MODELS ONLY. This bulletin announces availability of new parts to address a limited number of reports involving an engine vibration felt when at idle after the engine is up to operating temperature. In some cases, the above engine misfire DTCs may also result causing the Check Engine light to illuminate in error.
09-68-182018-06-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the exhaust system cover. The purpose of the change is to improve parts integration (or ?commonality?) between models.
WTA-62SS2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Subaru Safety Recall Campaign/ STOP SALE: WTA?62 Turbo Engine Air Intake Duct. The turbocharger air intake duct on affected vehicles may have been produced with incorrect material that is susceptible to cracking.
WTA-62A2018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Turbo models only. Service Procedure Bulletin. The repair procedure will involve inspecting and possibly replacing the turbocharger air intake duct. Inspection of the turbocharger air intake duct lot number (date) molded on the duct will be necessary to determine if replacement is required.
WTA-622018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Turbo models only. Subject: Update ? Subaru Safety Recall Campaign/ STOP SALE: WTA?62 Turbo Engine Air Intake Duct. Owner Notification: All potentially affected vehicle owners will be notified by first class mail on or around April 15, 2016. As previously announced on March 17, 2016, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Forester 2.0XT and WRX vehicles due to a possible issue with the turbocharger air intake duct.
07-133-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. 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.
02-173-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. 2.0L Turbo Models only. This bulletin announces availability of a special turbocharger air intake duct designed to prevent EXTREMELY RARE occurrence of ice formation from condensation in the duct?s PCV system passages.
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.
02-173-182018-06-11. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. 2.0L Turbo Models only. This bulletin announces availability of a special turbocharger air intake duct designed to prevent EXTREMELY RARE occurrences of ice formation from condensation in the duct?s PCV system passages.
11-164-162018-06-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Dated 4/29/2016 although posted on 5/2/2016. 2.0L DI Turbo models only. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM. These files will address customer concerns of a slight surging / decrease in engine power condition on light acceleration during high ambient temperatures.
02-170-172018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 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.
11-169-162017-10-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Turbo models only. This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM. These new files will address customer concerns of: ? Spark knock (ping) during high intake air temperature operation ? Surge on acceleration due to phantom knock detection ? Check Engine light illumination resulting from DTC P2270 and / or DTC P2270 and / or P0137 being stored in the ECM memory.
10-84-16R2017-10-27. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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.

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