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
| 15-177-14R | 2019-08-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. All 2015-2017 MY vehicles with Fujitsu TEN (F10) 7in. Multimedia Navigation (AVN) & Display Audio Units. 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. |
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| 05-69-19 | 2019-08-06. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION. This Service Information Bulletin announces a change made to the rear subframe retaining bolts used on the models listed above. The design changes provide the bolt with an increased durability against rust. |
| 07-152-19R | 2019-08-06. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY. "This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: • Power windows inoperative from the driver’s door master and / or passenger front door switch • Unable to remotely operate other door windows from the driver’s door master switch • One-Touch Auto Up / Down features inoperative from either / both front door switches" |
| 06-68-19R | 2019-08-06. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals. |
| WUE-90 tool | 2019-08-06. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. SOA has received multiple requests for additional 83399Fj000rt BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH tools and now has sufficient stock to allow retailers to place orders for single tools. |
| 02-163-16R | 2019-07-22. 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. |
| 15-205-16R | 2019-07-22. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; 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. |
| 02-182-19 | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change made to the TGV assemblies used on the Forester Turbo models and WRXs listed above. Condensation resulting from EGR system operation may enter the area between the TGV shaft and bearing. Over time, corrosion can develop and impede movement of the TGV shaft and cause any of the DTCs P2004, 2005, 2006 and /or P2007 to set. The material of the TGV shaft has been changed to stainless steel to optimize corrosion resistance. |
| 07-154-19 | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin provides a revised Step to follow when diagnosing a DTC B2513- LATCH CONDITION FAILURE. The number of wiring checks found in Step 9 has been reduced from six to three as shown in the illustration below. The Service Manual will be updated with these revisions in the near future. |
| Subaru Tech Tips | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter. |
| WUE-90R | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall. |
| 14-22-16R | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. |
| 07-152-19 | 2019-07-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY. This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ? Power windows inoperative from the driver?s door master and / or passenger front door switch ? Unable to remotely operate other door windows from the driver?s door master switch ? One-Touch Auto Up / Down features inoperative from either / both front door switches |
| WUE-90 | 2019-05-28. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall. |
| 15-239-19 | 2019-05-28. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. This Service information bulletin announces a design change made to the Cargo Net ? Rear Replacement Hardware Kit (F551SAG301). The new part number is F551SAN010. The change was made to address concerns regarding the ?mushroom? anchors either pulling out of the trim panel and or gapping visibly at the base of the anchor between the black plastic spacer and trim panel. |
| 02-163-16R | 2019-05-28. 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. |
| 16-120-19 | 2019-05-28. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin provides a procedure to follow for addressing customer concerns of a shuddering condition or chattering -type sound heard or felt when making sharp turns. If an applicable vehicle presents with the condition as described, it is recommended to perform the transfer clutch break-in procedure as described. |
| 02-170-17R | 2019-05-20. 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. |
| WUE-90R | 2019-05-20. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall. |
| 15-208-17R | 2019-05-20. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. 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. |
| 02-178-18R | 2019-03-25. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin announces a design change made to the rubber timing hole access plug to improve its retention and prevent water intrusion into the converter case. |
| 11-169-16R | 2019-03-25. 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. |
| 16-112-18R | 2019-03-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; 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. |
| 02-134-12R | 2019-03-11. 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. |
| 16-119-19 | 2019-03-11. 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. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.