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
| 11-173-17 | 2017-09-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of ECM reprogramming files designed to optimize the ECM for improving HVAC blower fan speed control. There have been a limited number of cases with reports describing the blower fan speed fluctuating / changing without input from the customer when the blower is set to maximum speed. |
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| 07-108-16R | 2017-09-14. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosis of Occupant Detection System (ODS) DTC B1760- Sensor Mat Abnormal and/or B1650- Occupant Classification System Malfunction. This information replaces the current procedure until the Service Manual is updated in the near future. DTC B1760 and/or B1650 may set if liquid inadvertently spilled onto the seat cushion (or rain water entering from a window left open) penetrates the upholstery and reaches the sensor mat. These DTCs can also set under high humidity conditions. |
| 06-55-16R | 2017-09-14. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. This bulletin announces a design change to the brake light switch (BLS) to reduce the possibility of improper illumination of the ABS and/or VDC warning lamp. In the event a product containing silicone is used to lubricate the BLS or for other purposes in the area around the switch, a non-conductive coating may develop over time on the internal electrical contacts and affect operation of the switch. On / Off signal output from the BLS is critical for proper operation of various systems on the vehicle. When the switch does not operate properly, warning lamps illuminate and DTCs are stored. A table with BLS-related DTCs and additional information is provided in the Service Procedure information. A photo of the switch changes is shown below. This bulletin also provides a diagnostic and adjustment procedure to be used when diagnosing brake light switch-related DTCs. |
| 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. |
| 15-198-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; 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 listed below involving "Gen 2" F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7" display. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files from Subarunet then loading them onto a flash drive for audio unit installation. It is important to read through and understand this information completely before proceeding. |
| 11-164-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. 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 between approx. 2000-2500 RPM on light acceleration during high ambient temperatures (intake air temperatures exceeding 104 deg. F). |
| 12-204-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; STRUCTURE. This bulletin provides potential source locations and procedures to help isolate areas of the vehicle which may be generating popping, clicking or creaking sounds when the body is in a "twisting" condition. This can occur while driving on rough, irregular or uneven road surfaces or even during lowspeed maneuvers such as pulling into or backing out of a driveway. Production information and field reports received indicate where multiple layers of the vehicle's body structure are spot-welded together, primarily in the "D"-pillar and rear gate opening areas, a "stick-slip" condition can occur between the layers and cause these types of sounds to occur. Service information has been released previously describing similar conditions which involved accessing and then punching or separating the layers of metal and applying a lubricant to prevent recurrence. Those same techniques may also provide good results on these vehicles too but, in some cases, a Body Shop repair may be required. |
| 15-196-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: Only those models equipped with Starlink Telematics. Data Communication Module (DCM) Procedures for Provisioning Failure, Inspection / Repair. VERY IMPORTANT: This procedure applies to vehicles with VINs shared with your retailer as leads through the STARLINK Notifications Dashboard found on Subarunet (see example below) which indicate a possible concern with the activation status of the SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security Services feature. |
| 16-102-16 | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TSB: All Models Equipped with CVT Transmissions. This Service Information bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist Technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE. |
| 16-103-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT's oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover. |
| 15-196-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONLY 2016-2017MY: Those Models equipped with STARLINK Telematics. Provisioning is the process by which the DCM receives the subscription request and activates the related DCM features requested as outlined in the specific subscription contract. If provisioning is not successful then the DCM may remain in an inactive state and the requested services may not be activated for the customer. Field investigation has found that this may be a result of three possible conditions. * The DCM may be off the network due to vehicle storage or other network factors. * The DCM may be lacking power or ground due to some body side electrical concern. * The DCM may have an internal failure. |
| 15-205-16R | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); 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. The procedure will involve downloading the applicable software update files from Subarunet then loading them onto a flash drive for audio unit installation. It is important to read through and understand this information completely before proceeding. These latest software updates contain new logic to address the following concerns: * Mirrorlink 1.1 updates * Enable Mute function for Navigation guidance * Incomplete display of intersection names in combination meter * Increased accuracy of the XM Traffic information displayed * Intermittent delay (approximately 1 minute) in display of map information after initial start-up of Navigation function (2015MY Legacy and Outback only). |
| 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. |
| 09-65-16 | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. This bulletin announces a design change of the fuel injector used on 2.0L DIT models to prevent water intrusion. A new silicone rubber cover has been developed and incorporated into production for this purpose. |
| 09-64-16 | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. This Service Information bulletin announces a change to the shape of the rubber cap used on the flange nuts securing the sub-level sending unit to the fuel tank. In addition, two of the caps are now used in production instead of only one. This change was made to enhance productivity during vehicle assembly. |
| 16-103-16 | 2017-08-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN. Only Models Equipped with TR690 CVT only. This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly. Investigation has identified a likely source of the seepage to be the sealant used on the CVT's oil pump chain cover. The repair involves removal, a thorough cleaning and inspection of the sealing surfaces followed by re-sealing the cover. |
| 07-103-15 | 2017-03-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A NEW REQUIREMENT REGARDING ONE-TIME USE PARTS WHICH MUST REPLACED WHENEVER DISCONNECTING OR REPLACING THE PRG ROD. THE SPRING STEEL RETAINING CLIPS (STOP RINGS) WHICH LOCK THE PRG ROD TO THE BALL STUDS (PIVOT POINTS) ON EITHER END ARE NOW ONE-TIME USE ITEMS AND MUST BE REPLACED WHENEVER THEY ARE REMOVED. IF THE STOP RINGS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE ROD MAY COME OFF THE BALL STUD DURING PRG OPERATION. |
| 12-195-15 | 2017-03-08. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR. SHOULD YOU RECEIVE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF VIBRATION OR LOOSENESS IN EITHER OF THE DOOR MIRRORS, A DESIGN CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE TO THE 3 MIRROR HEAD MOUNTING HOLES IN THE MOUNTING BASE. IN ADDITION, A NEW RETAINING BOLT AND TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATION ARE NOW USED TO SECURE THE MIRROR HEAD TO THE MOUNTING BASE. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR REPAIRING THE EXISTING MIRROR ASSEMBLY BY REPLACING THE THREE MOUNTING SCREWS WITH UPDATED FASTENERS. NOTE: REFER TO TSB 12-152-13 DATED 6/17/2013 FOR RELATED INFORMATION ON BRZ MODELS. |
| 07-102-15 | 2017-03-08. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW FOR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. WHEN RECEIVING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A PROBLEM, E.G., AN INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATES OR A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CANCEL CODE INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE DISPLAYED AFTER CONNECTING THE SELECT MONITOR (SSM). IMPORTANT NOTE: CANCEL CODE 60-A0H IS DETECTED (AND AS A RESULT, STORED IN MEMORY) EVERY TIME THE IGNITION KEY IS SWITCHED OFF ON 2016MY FORESTER ONLY. THIS CONDITION IS THE RESULT OF A SOFTWARE CHARACTERISTIC WHICH HAS NO EFFECT ON THE OPERATION OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM BUT MAY IMPACT HOW THE SYSTEM IS DIAGNOSED SHOULD AN ACTUAL FAULT OCCUR. |
| 10-83-15 | 2017-03-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES PRECAUTIONS TO USE WHEN REMOVING THE HVAC CONTROL PANEL TO PREVENT DAMAGING THE BLOWER FAN SPEED SWITCH. WHEN REMOVING THE CONTROL PANEL, IF THE FAN SPEED SWITCH WIRING HARNESS IS PULLED TAUGHT OR BECOMES STRESSED, THE SWITCH MAY BE DAMAGED. IF THE CONNECTOR (LOWER) PORTION OF THE SWITCH BECOMES SEPARATED FROM THE SWITCH BODY EVEN SLIGHTLY (SEE FIG. 1 ON PAGE 2), THE HVAC CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. THE SWITCH ITSELF IS NOT SERVICEABLE. NOTE: FOR 2012MY IMPREZA, SEE TSB 10-78-12, DATED 4/18/2012. |
| 16-97-15 | 2017-03-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR DIAGNOSING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A DELAYED AND / OR HARSH ENGAGEMENT OF THE CVT (MODEL TR580) WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. ALL 2013-16MY, 4-CYLINDER, N/A MODELS WITH CVT |
| 08-39-15 | 2017-03-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR RESETTING THE LIFETIME FUEL CONSUMPTION FUNCTION OF THE MFD. WHENEVER REPLACING THE MFD AND / OR COMBINATION METER, THE LIFETIME FUEL CONSUMPTION FUNCTION OF THE MFD MUST BE RESET FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION TO DISPLAY GOING FORWARD. IF NOT RESET, ERRONEOUS VALUES (EITHER EXTREMELY HIGH IN THE CASE OF A MFD REPLACEMENT OR EXTREMELY LOW FOR A COMBINATION METER REPLACEMENT) FOR LIFETIME FUEL CONSUMPTION WILL BE DISPLAYED. THERE IS NO WAY TO TRANSFER THE OLD / EXISTING LIFETIME FUEL CONSUMPTION RESULTS TO THE NEW MFD OR COMBINATION METER ALLOWING IT TO CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED. AS A RESULT, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE MFD AND / OR COMBINATION METER, ALL CALCULATIONS WILL START FRESH FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES. |
| 03-67-12R | 2017-02-28. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. HAS EXTENDED THE AVAILABILITY OF REMANUFACTURED CVT TRANSMISSIONS TO INCLUDE CROSSTREK, FORESTER AND IMPREZA APPLICATIONS. PLEASE CHECK APPLICATIONS AND AVAILABILITY THROUGH NORMAL PARTS CHANNELS PRIOR TO MAKING VEHICLE REPAIRS. RETAILERS ARE REQUIRED TO USE A REMANUFACTURED UNIT FOR ALL REPAIRS REIMBURSED BY SUBARU THAT REQUIRE A MAJOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF A “NEW” AND “IN-STOCK” VEHICLE. |
| 02-162-15R | 2017-02-27. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ANNOUNCES A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. NICKEL PLATING HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE INTERNAL SWITCH CONTACTS TO ENHANCE THEIR DURABILITY AND REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF POOR CONTACT WHICH COULD AFFECT OPERATION OR CAUSE IMPROPER ILLUMINATION OF THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. A SMALL PILOT PORTION WAS ADDED TO THE THREADED AREA ON P.N. 25240KA051 AS SHOWN IN THE ILLUSTRATION BELOW. REVISED PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION." |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.