WenmarOpen by Wenmar Pro

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

Bulletins, newest first
15-280-21R2021-05-04. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Vehicles equipped with manual transmission and push-button start will follow DCM replacement procedure as outlined in TSB 15-279-21: Gen1 Telematics DCM Replacement for 3G Sunset which is applicable to manual transmission vehicles with push-button start ONLY.
05-63-18R2021-04-02. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. 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.
WQZ-61R2021-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program for certain 2016 model year Forester, Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Outback vehicles equipped with Telematics (STARLINK). Subaru has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require reprogramming of the Telematics System Data Communications Module (DCM).
15-280-21R2021-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Gen1 Telematics Reprogramming for 3G Sunset.
05-76-20R2021-03-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS:HUB. This bulletin announces availability of new front wheel hub assemblies incorporating bearing surfaces having increased resistance to imperfections resulting from shock loads.
11-199-20R2021-03-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM).
WQZ-61R2021-02-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program for certain 2016 model year Forester, Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Outback vehicles equipped with Telematics (STARLINK). Subaru has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require reprogramming of the Telematics System Data Communications Module (DCM).
14-22-16R2021-02-18. 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.
12-223-172021-02-18. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. This bulletin provides a procedure for replacement of the black foam rubber insulating cushions for the roof spoiler.
10-87-172021-02-18. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM. This bulletin provides a service procedure to address customer concerns of a rattling-type sound coming from the defroster vent grille area of the instrument panel (IP) near the base of the windshield.
07-112-16R2021-02-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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.
06-59-17R2021-02-18. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 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 above.
12-308-212021-02-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; SEATS. This bulletin announces a design change made to the front seat hinge bolts.
18-204-212021-02-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. 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.
15-267-20R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides information related to the telematics system's Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) and Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) feature operation, diagnostic tips, and best practices.
03-82-18R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
12-203-16R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; SEATS. 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.
01-168-09R2021-02-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information.
02-131-12R2021-02-01. 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.
15-205-16R2021-01-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). 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.
05-79-202021-01-05. Service bulletin. WHEELS. This Service Information Bulletin announces a change made to the wheel lug nuts.
12-203-16R2021-01-05. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; 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.
12-203-16R2021-01-05. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; SEATS; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; 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.
05-70-19R2021-01-05. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES. This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
16-103-16R2021-01-05. Service bulletin. 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.

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