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
| 16-131-20 | 2020-12-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. This Service Information Bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs. |
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| 15-208-17R | 2020-12-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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. This update does not affect any album art displayed when using SXM. |
| 1818816 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a description of current changes to Service Manuals available via the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) web site. The tables contained within this bulletin are to be used as guides for becoming aware of the latest changes. We advise you to always refer to the STIS web site when looking for the latest Service information. Printed pages will not be made available to update printed Service Manuals. |
| 216316 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. 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. |
| 711216 | 2020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR. This bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosis and repair of DTC P0300 which may result from fluctuation of the alternator?s current output outside of the specified limits. |
| 10-19-20 | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a description of current changes to Service Manuals available via the Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) web site. |
| 15-205-16R | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL 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 involving “Gen 2” F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7” display. |
| 12-289-20R | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty for the rear gate stays on the listed models and model years. |
| Subarunet Announ | 2020-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE; EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. We recently informed retailers and customers of an extension to the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 2014-2018 Forester Rear Gate Stays. |
| 12-289-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty for the rear gate stays on the listed models and model years. This will apply to Forester models with or without the power rear gate (PRG). |
| 06-79-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces availability of new master cylinder application shaft seals. |
| 05-76-20 | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. WHEELS. This bulletin announces availability of new front wheel hub assemblies incorporating bearing surfaces having increased resistance to imperfections resulting from shock loads. |
| 03-82-18R | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This service information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models listed. |
| 14-22-16R | 2020-09-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. |
| 15-266-20 | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information Bulletin provides helpful procedures and best practices to utilize when customers present with concerns relating to the operation of their Gen 2 Telematics system equipped Subaru. |
| 15-267-20 | 2020-08-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE. This document discusses some of the conditions that may trigger an Automatic Collision Notification (CAN) (Gen1) or Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) (Gen2), without a collision, airbag deployment, or accident taking place. |
| 12-203-16R | 2020-06-02. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame. |
| 12-288-20 | 2020-06-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; SEATS. This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assemblies used on the models listed. |
| WUT-05R | 2020-06-02. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program to replace the rear coil springs on certain 2014-2016 model year Forester vehicles. |
| 15-208-17R | 2020-06-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This service information bulletin announces availability of an enhancenment to the Gracenote database included in the vehicles listed equipped with F10 7" Navigation and 7" display audio head units. |
| 01-181-20 | 2020-05-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices) |
| Subarunet Announ | 2020-04-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Update: Owner notification WUK-96 DIT exhaust pipe front (EPF) nut torque service campaign/voluntary emissions recall. |
| WUK-96R | 2020-04-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. 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. |
| 12-284-20 | 2020-04-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. This bulletin announces availability of new interior door handles which will address isolated concerns of the chrome finish peeling. |
| 17-17-13R | 2020-04-02. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.