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
| 15-205-16R | 2018-10-01. 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. |
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| 02-177-18 | 2018-10-01. 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. |
| 15-205-16R | 2018-08-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. 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. It is important to read through and understand this information completely before proceeding. These latest software updates contain new logic. |
| 12-234-18 | 2018-08-20. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. This bulletin provides a repair procedure for replacing the foam cushion installed between the top front edge of the IP and the windshield glass. Use the supplied Service Procedure to address a customer concern involving the foam cushion becoming visible above the IP near the defroster vent outlets. |
| 07-138-18 | 2018-08-20. 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). |
| 07-136-18 | 2018-08-20. 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. |
| 04-21-18 | 2018-08-20. Service bulletin. STEERING. This bulletin announces availability of a new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box assembly designed to address a VERY limited number of customer concerns regarding uneven steering effort felt when turning left or right. In areas where high concentrations of road salt are used to melt ice and snow, corrosion may develop and cause a portion of the gear box housing to crack if the vehicle were to suffer a large enough impact from hitting a pothole or similar type of road hazard. |
| 16-112-18R | 2018-07-16. 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. |
| 15-199-16R | 2018-07-16. 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. |
| 15-177-14R | 2018-07-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. ONLY MODELS with AVN Navigation or Display Audio system. This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different conditions relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the new-generation ?Gen 2? and ?Gen 2.1? F10 Navigation and Display Audio systems. We will continue to add more helpful tips to this TSB as they become available. |
| 07-128-18R | 2018-07-16. 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. |
| 05-63-18 | 2018-07-16. Service bulletin. STEERING. This bulletin announces a design change made to the forward bushing used in the front lower control arm to address customer concerns of a rattle-type sound and / or a possible vibration felt in the steering wheel. The material for the cushion portion of the front bushing has been changed. |
| 15-222-18 | 2018-06-18. 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. |
| 09-68-18 | 2018-06-18. 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. |
| 07-108-16R | 2018-06-18. 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. |
| 06-59-17R | 2018-06-18. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS. This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed. The new shims incorporate a new laminated design with increased damping characteristics to eliminate vibration identified as the root cause of the sound. The new kits include shims only (NO brake pads). |
| 04-20-18 | 2018-06-18. Service bulletin. STEERING. This Service Information bulletin announces a running change made to the Steering Angle Sensor. The (new) -style originally used on Legacy and Outback has been adapted. |
| 15-177-14M2 | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. When ordering exchange units from Fujitsu Ten through their online web site, some new information will soon be requested and in some cases required. To assist with that, a new Bluetooth Interview Form is available to facilitate the completion of an exchange order. The form is available on Subarunet at Service Operations & Technical >> Forms. |
| 15-196-16M2 | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Reminder: 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. |
| 15-196-16M | 2018-06-11. 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. |
| WTA-62SS | 2018-06-11. 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. |
| 15-177-14M | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. When ordering exchange units from Fujitsu Ten through their online web site, some new information will soon be requested and in some cases required. Exchange order entry will now request a date and time when condition was last duplicated. The customer?s phone carrier, phone make and model will be required when Bluetooth or Connectivity failure sections are selected. |
| 15-195-16 | 2018-06-11. 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. |
| 15-197-16 | 2018-06-11. 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. |
| 15-196-16 | 2018-06-11. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Only those vehicles with 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 summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.